Chapter 6: Jesus’ Life Reveals His Mission ©Ave Maria Press.

Chapter 6:Chapter 6:Jesus’ Life Reveals Jesus’ Life Reveals

His Mission His Mission ©Ave Maria Press

The Son of God The Son of God Humbled HimselfHumbled Himself

God’s love for us is so great that he took on the

frailty of humanity in order to save us from

our sin.

The Gospels tell us that Jesus The Gospels tell us that Jesus experienced all the physical experienced all the physical and emotional things that and emotional things that challenge each one of us.challenge each one of us.

Jesus experienced hunger and thirst. He endured insults and injury. He was

deserted by his friends. Jesus was tired, and afraid, and sad, and angry. Jesus was

tempted, and yet never sinned.

The Humanity The Humanity of Jesusof Jesus

The Word became flesh and made his

dwelling among us.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke The Gospels of Matthew and Luke remind us that Jesus is firmly rooted remind us that Jesus is firmly rooted

in the human family by each in the human family by each presenting a detailed presenting a detailed genealogygenealogy for for

Jesus and his family tree.Jesus and his family tree.

These genealogies are records of the human ancestors of Jesus. Each one

makes statements about what is important in his human origins.

Writing to different audiences, Matthew and Luke each emphasize different things about Jesus’ family

history that illustrate what they believe about him.

Matthew writes to a Jewish-Christian Matthew writes to a Jewish-Christian audience, and wanted to show that Jesus audience, and wanted to show that Jesus shared the heritage of the Chosen People.shared the heritage of the Chosen People.

He tells us that Jesus is the son (descendent) of Abraham, and of David.

Since Abraham is the father of the Hebrews, and David was Israel’s greatest king, this gives us important information about Jesus’ status as Messiah and King.

Matthew also, however, included some Matthew also, however, included some details that were not typical for a details that were not typical for a

genealogy directed to his audience.genealogy directed to his audience.

The Evangelist lists five women in the ancestry of Jesus. Female ancestors

would not normally be a concern for a Jewish audience. Also, some of the

women Matthew includes had backgrounds that might cause concern

for his readers. Perhaps Matthew included Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba, Ruth, and Mary to show that

God is a God of surprises. He chooses whomever he wants to be his instruments,

even if they do not fit people’s expectations—as Jesus did in choosing his

apostles.

Luke wrote for a Gentile-Christian Luke wrote for a Gentile-Christian audience, so what he emphasizes in his audience, so what he emphasizes in his

genealogy of Jesus is quite different from genealogy of Jesus is quite different from Matthew’s.Matthew’s.

Instead of focusing on the Hebrew kings and tracing Jesus’ lineage only as far back

as Abraham, the father of the Hebrews, Luke’s genealogy goes all the way back to

Adam—the first human being. Luke is making the point that Jesus is truly human; son of Adam, the ancestor of

all human beings; but also, Son of God.

There are differences in the names of the There are differences in the names of the ancestors included in the genealogies of ancestors included in the genealogies of

Matthew and Luke.Matthew and Luke.

The two family trees were not intended to be comprehensive. They are

condensed summaries of the lineage of Jesus. The shortening may have been done to aid in memorization for early

Christians who would pass on the stories orally.

Before his public ministry, Jesus worked Before his public ministry, Jesus worked as a carpenter—the trade he learned as a carpenter—the trade he learned

from his foster father, Joseph.from his foster father, Joseph.

Matthew 13:55 tells us that Jesus was known as “the carpenter’s son,” and

Mark 6:3 identifies Jesus as “the carpenter, the son of Mary.”

Jesus also used many metaphors from Jesus also used many metaphors from the carpentry trade in his teaching.the carpentry trade in his teaching.

The images Jesus chose of building towers, wine

presses, storage barns, and homes with a good

foundation show not only an understanding of the trade, but also an appreciation for

the importance of hard work.

Luke makes it clear that Mary and Joseph Luke makes it clear that Mary and Joseph raised Jesus in the Jewish faith.raised Jesus in the Jewish faith.

According to Jewish law, Jesus was circumcised and presented in the

Temple. Growing up in Nazareth, his primary language would have been

Aramaic, but he also would have learned Hebrew so that he could study the Torah—the body of Jewish literature, teaching,

and law.

When he was accidentally left in the Temple as a boy, he was found later,

amazing the priests and scribes with his knowledge of God’s word.

There would have been much emphasis There would have been much emphasis on memorization in Jesus’ education, and on memorization in Jesus’ education, and

he clearly learned the Scriptures well.he clearly learned the Scriptures well.

The Gospels are full of passages in which Jesus quotes from the Old Testament, and gives interpretations of the Scriptures that

astound his listeners.

Jesus had an intimate knowledge Jesus had an intimate knowledge of the Scriptures.of the Scriptures.

By Nature, One By Nature, One of Usof UsEvery human being

possesses two qualities that define our human nature: a human body and an immortal soul.

Jesus, like all of us, had both a body

and a soul.

Jesus encountered physical hunger and thirst, fatigue, pain, and every other

experience that comes with possessing a human body—even death.

The Gospels, especially the The Gospels, especially the Passion Narratives, make it clear Passion Narratives, make it clear

that Jesus had a human body.that Jesus had a human body.

Like all human beings, Jesus’ intellect enabled him to reason,

learn, and reflect upon his emotions. His will allowed him to choose between good and evil.

The human soul, or spirit, has two The human soul, or spirit, has two faculties: intellect and free will.faculties: intellect and free will.

We must realize that Jesus had emotions and

made choices. His experience of humanity

was like ours in all things but sin.

Jesus, too, was tempted. Temptation is not, itself, a sin. It is a test of the right use of our freedom.

Unlike the rest of us, Jesus passed every

test. During his forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted repeatedly by Satan, but never

gave in.

In the exercise of our intellect and In the exercise of our intellect and will, something all human beings will, something all human beings

experience is temptation.experience is temptation.

Jesus was tempted at other times as well. Certainly,

one of the greatest

temptations Jesus faced was to turn

away from his mission during the terrible time of his

passion and crucifixion.

In the exercise of our intellect and In the exercise of our intellect and will, something all human beings will, something all human beings

experience is temptation.experience is temptation.

There are things that, even as the Son of God, Jesus did not know. To

be truly human, his intellect had to be like that of all other human

beings. But as Jesus responded perfectly to

his Father’s will, his human knowledge grew to attain a fullness of understanding of the

eternal plan of Salvation.

Jesus also had a human intellect. The Jesus also had a human intellect. The Gospels tell us that he grew in wisdom Gospels tell us that he grew in wisdom

and knowledge—revealing that his and knowledge—revealing that his human knowledge was not unlimited.human knowledge was not unlimited.

Beginning with the pure affection

shared between himself and Mary and Joseph, Jesus

knew unselfish love. He also had close

personal friends like Martha, Mary,

Lazarus, and his apostles. Jesus even

showed deep affection for people

he didn’t really know.

Jesus loved others and Jesus loved others and was loved in return.was loved in return.

Jesus wept, showing grief at the death of his friend, Lazarus.

As a human being, Jesus As a human being, Jesus experienced emotions.experienced emotions.

Jesus was joyful.

The Gospels even mention that his

opponents criticized him for taking too much enjoyment at festive occasions.

But it was important to Jesus to celebrate joyful times with his

friends and loved ones.

As a human being, Jesus As a human being, Jesus experienced emotions.experienced emotions.

Jesus showed anger.

When we see injustice or harm, our anger should move us to action. This happened for Jesus as

well. Jesus rebuked Peter for suggesting that he

turn away from the path of suffering. He was

angered by his opponents for their

stubbornness. And Jesus’ anger moved him to clear the money changers out of the Temple for their

lack of respect.

As a human being, Jesus As a human being, Jesus experienced emotions.experienced emotions.

Jesus needed time alone, but also enjoyed human companionship.

He often withdrew from the crowds to

find time for solitude, but Jesus also chose companions to help him in his ministry.

As a human being, Jesus As a human being, Jesus experienced emotions.experienced emotions.

Jesus was troubled, distressed, and sorrowful.

When his friends betrayed and deserted him, when he contemplated the suffering

that awaited him, and when he was at the point of death; Jesus experienced the

most painful of human emotions.

As a human being, Jesus As a human being, Jesus experienced emotions.experienced emotions.

Jesus showed compassion.

When he encountered people who were hurting from illness, poverty, or sin; his emotion moved him to help them.

He brought about many miraculous cures, forgave people’s sins, and showed concern for the welfare of his followers.

As a human being, Jesus As a human being, Jesus experienced emotions.experienced emotions.

Crowds of people flocked to him to hear what he had to say about God’s Kingdom. Sinners, children, and regular people all

were drawn to Jesus.

Jesus’ dynamic personality Jesus’ dynamic personality had a definite effect on the had a definite effect on the

people he encountered.people he encountered.

Some of the religious authorities, however, saw him as a threat. Because he taught with his own

authority, and not merely by quoting other teachers, Jesus drew fierce

criticism from many leaders in the Jewish community.

Jesus’ dynamic personality Jesus’ dynamic personality had a definite effect on the had a definite effect on the

people he encountered.people he encountered.

The Gospels mention “brothers and sisters” of

Jesus, but the Church does not understand these to be children of Jesus’ mother,

Mary.

It could be that “brothers and sisters” refers to cousins or other close relatives. The Church

teaches that Mary remained a virgin, and had no children

other than Jesus.

As a human being, Jesus As a human being, Jesus was a member of a family. was a member of a family. But did Jesus have siblings?But did Jesus have siblings?

Jesus Spoke Jesus Spoke about His about His DivinityDivinityIn addition to the

evidence of how Jesus fulfilled Old

Testament prophecy, Jesus

himself gave testimony about

who he was.

Jesus fulfills their prophecy with remarkable accuracy. On every

account, the divine credentials of Jesus are established.

Old Testament prophets describe many Old Testament prophets describe many details about the coming Messiah. details about the coming Messiah.

Isaiah Zechariah Ezekiel

Jesus came from the family heritage they specified. His miracles—deeds that cannot

be explained by ordinary human intervention—verify that he is the Son of

God. Even his passion and death fulfill what the prophets predicted about the

Messiah.

The life of Jesus follows the pattern The life of Jesus follows the pattern predicted by the prophets. predicted by the prophets.

He predicted that he would be betrayed by one disciple and denied

by another. He also predicted his own suffering and death.

Jesus, too, made prophecies about his Jesus, too, made prophecies about his own future that came to pass. own future that came to pass.

Very often, Jesus spoke of himself as the Son of

Man. In the Old Testament, this title is

often a humble reference to a human being, as distinct from

God. Jesus attaches this title to proclamations

about his unique relationship with God, and his return in glory

at the end of the world.

We should pay attention to what We should pay attention to what Jesus says about himself. Jesus says about himself.

Jesus’ use of the title is in line with its use in the Book of Daniel, in which

the Son of Man is a supernatural figure who

will come to serve as the judge of all

humanity.

Jesus may have been emphasizing that he was human like us, but also divine and sent by God.

We should pay attention to what We should pay attention to what Jesus says about himself. Jesus says about himself.

Jesus identified himself with the

prophecy of Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 about

the Suffering Servant. He proclaimed

himself as the one who would suffer and die so that all people might have abundant

life.

We should pay attention to what We should pay attention to what Jesus says about himself. Jesus says about himself.

In the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus read the

scripture passage predicting that the

Messiah would come to bring about God’s justice

and mercy: “…He has sent me to proclaim

liberty to captives, and recovery of sight to the

blind, to let the oppressed go free, and

to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

We should pay attention to what We should pay attention to what Jesus says about himself. Jesus says about himself.

When he finished reading, Jesus rolled

up the scroll and said, “Today this

scripture passage is fulfilled in your

hearing.”

We should pay attention to what We should pay attention to what Jesus says about himself. Jesus says about himself.

We should pay attention to what We should pay attention to what Jesus says about himself. Jesus says about himself.

When Jesus asked the apostles who they

thought he was, and Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the

Son of the living God,” Jesus responded, “Blessed are you,

Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has

not revealed this to you, but my heavenly

Father”—verifying Peter’s conclusion about Jesus’ divine

identity.

We should pay attention to what We should pay attention to what Jesus says about himself. Jesus says about himself.

Jesus Jesus DemonstratDemonstrat

ed His ed His DivinityDivinityIn addition to his

words, Jesus showed his divinity

by what he did.

All the Gospels proclaim that All the Gospels proclaim that Jesus performed miracles. Jesus performed miracles.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church points out, these miracles, or “signs” strengthen faith in the One who does the Father’s works—they bear witness that he is the Son of

God.

All the Gospels proclaim that All the Gospels proclaim that Jesus performed miracles. Jesus performed miracles.

The greatest miracle of all was Jesus’ own

Resurrection from the dead.

No one before or since has raised anyone from the dead the way Jesus

did—and Jesus’ own Resurrection is the

crowning truth of our faith. The value of

Christianity rests on the truth of Christ’s

Resurrection.

All the Gospels proclaim that All the Gospels proclaim that Jesus performed miracles. Jesus performed miracles.

Jesus could have cured the sick with a whispered word

or even a glance, but he used his physical touch to

convey healing.

When he cured the man born blind, he spat on the ground, made a paste with the clay and his saliva and smeared it on the man’s

eyes. He then told him to go and wash in the pool of

Siloam.

All the Gospels proclaim that All the Gospels proclaim that Jesus performed miracles. Jesus performed miracles.

The scribes and Pharisees were so prejudiced against Jesus that they

refused to believe he had cured the man born blind. They were like

people today who deny Jesus’

miracles; ultimately

denying God’s power to

intervene on earth, and

denying that God became man in

Jesus Christ.

Jesus also demonstrated his Jesus also demonstrated his divine nature by forgiving sins. divine nature by forgiving sins.

In curing the paralyzed man at Capernaum,

Jesus showed that he had power to heal our inner brokenness—our sinfulness—as well as

our physical brokenness.

When Jesus claimed to be able to forgive sins, however, his opponents

accused him of blasphemy.

Jesus also demonstrated his Jesus also demonstrated his divine nature by forgiving sins. divine nature by forgiving sins.

It was the charge of blasphemy at his

trial that ultimately led to Jesus’

crucifixion and death. The leaders of Israel could not

believe that an ordinary man could claim to do all that

Jesus claimed.

But Jesus was no ordinary man.