The New Testament presents its understanding of Jesus in titles, descriptions of his person, and accounts of his word and work. In the context of Judaism, the Old Testament provided titles and images that the New Testament writers used to convey the meaning of Jesus for his disciples. He was portrayed, for example, as a prophet like Moses, the Davidic king, the promised Messiah, the second Adam, a priest like Melchizedek, an apocalyptic figure like the Son of man, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, and the Son of God. The Hellenistic culture provided other images: a preexistent divine being who came to earth, accomplished his work, and returned to glory; the Lord above all caesars; the eternal mediator of creation and redemption; the cosmic figure who gathers all creation to himself in one harmonious body.
The Gospels present the ministry of Jesus as the presence of God in the world. His words revealed God and God’s way for his people; his actions demonstrated the healing power of God bringing wholeness of body, mind, and spirit; his sufferings and death testified to God’s relentless love; and his resurrection was God’s sign of approval of Jesus’ life, death, and message. St. Paul and others developed views of Jesus’ death as sacrifice and atonement for sin and of Jesus’ resurrection as guarantee of the resurrection of his disciples. Documents written during persecution (see 1 Peter, Revelation) interpreted Jesus’ suffering as the model for Christians in the hour of martyrdom.
The Gospels present the ministry of Jesus as the presence of God in the world. His words revealed God and God’s way for his people; his actions demonstrated the healing power of God bringing wholeness of body, mind, and spirit; his sufferings and death testified to God’s relentless love; and his resurrection was God’s sign of approval of Jesus’ life, death, and message. St. Paul and others developed views of Jesus’ death as sacrifice and atonement for sin and of Jesus’ resurrection as guarantee of the resurrection of his disciples. Documents written during persecution (see 1 Peter, Revelation) interpreted Jesus’ suffering as the model for Christians in the hour of martyrdom.
Comments