The Essential Jesus

The Infancy Narratives & the Baptism of Jesus

Assignments• (due Mon., 4/11) Print out PPt

notes (3/pg w/ lines for notes; Read pp. 82-87 > “…our ordinariness”; RQs 1-7, p. 91

• (due Weds., 4/27) Read pp. 87-90; RQs 8-12, p. 91

• (due Thurs., 4/28) Read pp. 91-97; RQs 1-5, p. 97

• (due Fri., 4/29) Read JPII quotes, choose a favorite, and write 1 pgph. reflection

Assignments• (due Weds., 5/4) Read pp. 97-

100; do “Miracles” exercise on pp. 100-101.

• (due Fri., 5/6) Read pp. 101-103; RQs on p. 103

Assignments• (due ., 4/12) Parent Interview:

– Why is Xmas celebrated on Dec. 25th? – What is the most important meaning

of Christmas?– Written summary of parents’

response/reaction

Assignments

• (due ., /) / Activity 2, p. 127 (Add: Has your Confirmation been a real, mature “owning” of your faith? Why or why not?)

• (Tues., 5/10) TEST on Ch. 3– Review Questions– Notes (Netclassroom)– Ppt notes

Assignments

• (due ) All preps complete for classes on Gospels

• (due ) Mark• (due ) Matthew• (due ) Luke• (due ) John

“Infancy Narratives”• In Matthew & Luke

only… why?– Early Christians’ preaching

(kerygma) about the Risen Christ focused on• Death and resurrection• Life, teachings & deeds/miracles

– Only later are Christians interested in birth/childhood of Jesus

– Mark: earliest Gospel; pre-dates this interest

Matthew Luke• Ancestry of JesusAncestry of Jesus

• Conception of Conception of JesusJesus

• Born in BethlehemBorn in Bethlehem• Visit of the MagiVisit of the Magi• Escape into EgyptEscape into Egypt• Slaughter of Slaughter of

InnocentsInnocents• Return to Return to

Nazareth in Nazareth in GalileeGalilee

• Jesus’ & John’s births Jesus’ & John’s births foretoldforetold

• AnnunciationAnnunciation• VisitationVisitationMagnificatMagnificat• Birth/circmcsn of JohnBirth/circmcsn of John• BenedictusBenedictus• J the B’s “hidden life”J the B’s “hidden life”• Birth of JesusBirth of Jesus• Visit of ShepherdsVisit of Shepherds• Presentation in Presentation in

TempleTemple• Jesus’ “hidden life”Jesus’ “hidden life”• Jesus at 12: lost in Jesus at 12: lost in

TempleTemple

“Infancy Narratives”

• Matthew: Jewish audience– Joseph’s perspective (descendant of

David)– Features Joseph, Herod, Magi & flight

into Egypt: Why?

• Luke: Outcast Gentile audience– Mary’s perspective (lowly/woman, etc.)– Features Mary, Shepherds, Simeon:

Why?

The Betrothal (Mt. 1:18-25)

• Jewish betrothal – A blessing of the

relationship– Official commitment

as binding as marriage

– Lasted one year– Broken only by a

divorce

The Annunciation (Lk. 1:26-38)

• Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to conceive and bear a Son– “angel” from Gk. = Messenger/

bringer of news– Pictured as ray of light: why?

• NOT the “Immaculate Conception”

The Annunciation

• Mary– Probably young

teenager– Completely

surrenders to God: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me as you say.”

Coming of the Messiah

• Means “the Anointed One”– Ie. The King (“King of

kings”)

• Hebrew= mesch’iah• Greek= christos• Jesus the Christ… the

Anointed One of Israel

The Visitation (Lk.1:39-80)• Mary visits

Elizabeth• Shows Mary’s

love/ unselfishness

• Parallels between Elizabeth/John the Baptist and Mary/Jesus

Joseph’s Dream

• In Matthew, Joseph is visited by an “angel” in dream

• He, the faithful Jew, takes care of everything “according to the Law”

Why Bethlehem?• Roman Census• Tension between Herod & Roman

emissaries: census unpopular (“We should have no ruler except the Lord!”)

Why Bethlehem?

• Joseph of David’s line• Bethlehem= David’s city• Prophecy: “For you,

Bethlehem, are in no way the least among the cities of Judah, for from you shall come forth a shepherd of my people Israel.” (Micah 5:2)

The Birth of Jesus

• “Nativity” from Latin nativitas=birth

• “Christmas” from Old English Christes Maesse = the Mass of Christ

• Not originally a feast

The Birth of Jesus

• Date unknown• Dec. 25 may be

end of “Saturnalia”, Roman feast of the “birth of the Sun”

• For more: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm

The Presentation

• Circumcision: initiated child into community

• Presentation: consecration (making holy/ setting apart/ making special) of firstborn unto God

• Purification: of mother, after birth

Visit of Magi

• Midrash?• Gifts symbolize

Christ as:– Priest (incense)– King (gold)– Prophet who will

suffer for message (myrrh)

Baptism of Jesus

• John the Baptist– Link between Old

& New Testament– Last of OT

Prophets– Prepared People

for coming of the Messiah

Baptism of Jesus

• Baptism for repentant sinners

• Jesus is baptized for our sins

• Jesus “like us in all things, except sin.”

Baptism of Jesus

• “Confirmation” of Jesus… “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.”

• Shows presence of the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)

Temptation of Jesus

• Immediately after Baptism

• Desert = Trial/struggle

• Tempted away from:– Suffering– Serving – Submission only to the

Father

Beginning of Ministry• “Inauguration”

in synagogue (a “bringing together”/ gathering)

• Clear prophecy of Messiah

• Why so hard to believe?

Jesus the Teacher• Teacher= rabbi

(sometimes “Master” in film)

• Core teaching= the coming of the “Kingdom of God” or “Rule of God”

Jesus the Teacher• Teacher= rabbi

(sometimes “Master” in film)

• Core teaching= the coming of the “Kingdom of God” or “Rule of God”

Miracles as “Signs”

What are the miracles?• Teras = “marvel”• Dynamis = “power”• Semion = “sign”

What is the most important part of the miracles? Of what are the miracles powerful signs?

Miracles as Proclamation

• Jesus proclaimed God’s rule over– Sin (forgiveness of sinners)– Sickness (cures of illnesses)– Death (raising the dead)

• Jesus proclaimed Himself as promised Messiah

Miracles as Invitations• Miracles open us…

– to see… to hear… to experience……the deeper, long-term meaning of Jesus

• What is that meaning for you?

Responding to Jesus’ Miracles

• Acceptance/ Faith• Rejection/ Disbelief• Impressed/ Apathy

• What is your response? What do you “make” of Jesus’ miracles?