The Impact of Jesus 26/09/2010. The Impact of Jesus. How did Jesus appear to his World in the 1 st Century? As revealed in the Gospel accounts

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1 The Impact of Jesus The Impact of Jesus How did Jesus appear to his World in the 1 st Century? As revealed in the Gospel accounts Summary Veracity of Gospel accounts Consider our advantages How did Jesus appear? His preaching & healing Jesus tried to prevent fame spreading Allusions to truth of miracles Raising of Lazarus crunch time Purpose of Gospels for us? v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 1

2 The Impact of Jesus Veracity of Gospel Accounts Veracity = 1. Truthfulness & honesty and 2. Precision & accuracy Look at situation of known classical works Compare with Bible s New Testament Ancient Classical works Choose those of a similar period:- Caesar s Gallic Wars (BC 58-50) only 9 or 10 copies, oldest 900 years after. Livy s Roman History (BC 59 to AD 17) only 35 survive out of 142 books, only 20 mss of any consequence, only 1 from 4th Century AD. Histories of Tacitus (~AD 100). 16 books written only 4½ survive, only 2 mss found dated 9th & 11th Centuries AD. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 2

3 The Impact of Jesus Compare with NT situation (13) 2 most important mss dated from mid 4thC AD: - Codex Vaticanus (in Vatican) & Codex Sinaiticus (in Brit. Mus.,). Contains a complete Bible of LXX + NT in uncial text in columns. Also Codex Alexandrinus (Brit. Mus.) dated 5th & Codex Bezae (Camb. Univ Lib) of 5th-6thC. Plus considerable fragments of papyrus copies of books of NT dated from years earlier still. NB Bible consists of 66 books, written over 1,500 years Codex Vat. Is slightly older than Codex Sin, but latter has oldest copy of NT. Cod.A. LXX + most of NT; Cod.B. - NT only, most of 4 gospels+acts in Gk & Latin Compare with NT situation (23) John Rylands Library, Oxford Rd, Manchester has a papyrus 1 codex 2 of Jn 18:31-33, 37; dated on palaeographical 3 grounds ~ AD 130, found in Egypt. By ~ 50 years this is earliest extant fragment of the NT. This is the last of Gospels. There are ~ 4,000 Gk mss of NT in whole or in part. Some claim there are 24,633 mss and early translations of the NT in whole or in part. Plus many quotations or allusions by early church fathers. 1. Papyrus = tall aquatic plant, which Egypt & Rome etc used to make their paper 2. Codex = mss of ancient texts 3. Palaeographical = study of handwriting, ink and mss to aid dating v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 3

4 The Impact of Jesus Compare with NT situation (34) Classical Caesars's Gallic Wars 9-10 copies 900 years after Livy s Roman History 20 out of 142 survive(14%) 1 only from C4th Histories of Tacitus 4½ out of 16 (28%) 2 from 9th & C11th NT documents 2 complete LXX & NT 2 complete 2 from 4th century 2 more LXX & most NT 2 fairly complete 2 from 5th & C6th Fragments of NT 4,000 of parts of NT many from 2 to C3 rd Earliest part of NT Fragment of 4v of Jn 18 AD 130, from Egypt Some say >24.6k mss Early translations of NT in whole or part Compare with NT situation (44) Summary verdict by the late Sir Frederic Kenyon GBE KCB TD FBA FSA, formerly Director of the British Museum, a very highly respected scholar. The interval between the dates of original composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the NT may be regarded as finally established. Cited from F.F.Bruce The New Testament Documents, Are they reliable? (1960p20) v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 4

5 The Impact of Jesus Consider our advantages? Hindsight: - fairly full record, fairly full portrait, we know the end. Unlike disciples or Job, say? Many of Jesus sayings are well known to us. Contemporaries: - had none of these, some question marks over his birth & education? His origin was wrong as from Nazareth (not Bethlehem). Nathanael asked Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? (Jn 1:47) How did Jesus appear to them?(14) a) A man, partakers of flesh and blood (Heb 2:14) b) Of an ordinary family, Is not this the carpenter s 1 son? Is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? v56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? (Mt 13:55-56) IE 4 half-brothers and some sisters. c) Yet cf (some of Jerusalem.) Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. (Jn 7:27) 1. A carpenter is a worker in wood, stone and iron, a joiner or a builder. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 5

6 The Impact of Jesus How did he appear to them?(24) d) Add Jn 7:40 40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 43 So there was a division among the people because of him. How did he appear to them?(34) e) Add Jn 7:52 (Pharisees to Nicodemus) They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. 1 NB At least Jonah came from Galilee 2, maybe Elijah; and Isaiah s messianic prophecy associated him from Galilee of the nations (Is 9:1-2). 1. This statement is a deliberate lie, ADN on Acts p Kin 14:25 Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, of Gathhepher. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 6

7 The Impact of Jesus How did he appear to them?(44) f) He mingled with the people, marriage at Cana (Jn 2); publicans and sinners (Mt 9:10-11); Zacchaeus a chief publican (Lk 19:1-10). I.E. Jesus was not a separated Pharisee. g) He had no schooling from the correct establishments: And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? (Jn 7:15) h) Pharisee s view:- Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? (Jn 7:48); Then they reviled him (man born blind whom Jesus had just healed), and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses disciples. (Jn 9:28) Preaching accompanied by signs(16) Preaching begins. Mk 1: 14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mk 1: 21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 7

8 The Impact of Jesus Preaching accompanied by signs(26) Heals a man with an unclean spirit in the Synagogue of Capernaum. Mk 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. Preaching accompanied by signs(36) Heals many from the city of Capernaum and round about. Mk 1: 32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 8

9 The Impact of Jesus Preaching accompanied by signs(46) Returns to Capernaum after a few days Mk 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. Preaching accompanied by signs(56) Needs to teach from a boat on the Sea of Galilee Mk 3:7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, 8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea 1, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. 9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. 10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. 1. Idumaea is to the south of border of Judah v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 9

10 The Impact of Jesus Preaching accompanied by signs(66) Reflections No attempt made by the Gospel writers to exploit these events by appealing to the fantastic or marvellous. As 2nd century writers did later. Recorded in sober, factual and unemotional terms. Only a very small fraction of the signs are reported. See Mt 11:20-24 for the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum wherein most of his mighty works were done. Yet only a very few are recorded there! Jesus tried to limit his fame(13) The chief actor Jesus also makes no attempt to exploit his miracles. He actually tries to prevent his fame from spreading. a)two blind men cured. Mt 9:30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. 31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. b) Many healed. Mt 12:15 great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 16 And (Jesus) charged them that they should not make him known: v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 10

11 The Impact of Jesus Jesus tried to limit his fame(23) Fame could not be contained. Mk 7:36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; Same instruction given to three of his disciples after they had seen him transfigured. Mt 17: 9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. Jesus tried to limit his fame(33) Further Reflections This portrait of Jesus is unnatural but entirely consistent. It fits in with his declared aim to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God. Add Lk 4: 43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. 44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. Mk 1: 38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. RV for to this end came I forth. This only makes sense if there is something more to tell, which is the bigger picture. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 11

12 The Impact of Jesus More evidence for truth of miracles(13) Nicodemus, one of the rulers of the Jews and a teacher of Israel; visits Jesus by night:- Jn 3: 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Believers amongst the crowds:- Jn 7: 31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? More evidence for truth of miracles(23) His own siblings did not initially believe in him. Jn 7:3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. (Mk 6:3) lists 4 half brothers and at least 2 half sisters. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 12

13 The Impact of Jesus More evidence for truth of miracles(33) More Reflections These allusions imply striking miracles, facts so well know they are beyond dispute. The whole fits harmoniously together as a natural blend. I submit it could not have been invented, by anyone, let alone by four human writers? Events around the raising of Lazarus (14) NB This is Jesus signing his own death warrant! The Jewish leaders could not overlook this very public event. q.v. Jn 11 please? Struggle of faith of both Martha and Mary. Jn 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. v32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 13

14 The Impact of Jesus Events around the raising of Lazarus (24) Testimony from Jews supporting the grieving family. Jn And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? NB The healing of the man born blind recorded two chapters earlier in Jn 9! Reaction of the Jews beholding the raising of Lazarus. Jn 11: 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Events around the raising of Lazarus (34) Council of Chief Priests and Pharisees. Jn 11: 49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 14

15 The Impact of Jesus Events around the raising of Lazarus (44) Jesus quietly visiting the home at Bethany. Jn 12: 9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. The purpose of the Gospels(14) Jesus supports his teaching by the miracles to prove their authority. He shows striking compassion for the people he meets. Yet displays a very realistic assessment of the human nature that both he, they and we all bear. This is a fallen nature which requires to be saved from death. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 15

16 The Impact of Jesus The purpose of the Gospels(34) The Apostle John s reason for writing his Gospel account:- (q.v. Jn 20:30) Jn 20: 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. The greatest miracle of all It has not been recorded in any detail! There is no description of it happening. As nobody saw it. Yet its fact is THE reason why the frightened and scared disciples wrote their gospels. 1 It is:- The resurrection of Jesus from the dead. 1. Greatly aided by God s inspiration utilising their full characters. v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 16

17 The Impact of Jesus The Impact of the Gospels(44) May we learn of the character of Jesus and try to make our characters more like his that we too may be granted life through his name. That is why we have to be citizens of his kingdom now, in our lives, our thinking and living. Have we been baptized? So that in the future we too may be granted to be part of the future Kingdom of God on earth. This is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, that Jesus preached with such an impact. The End Thank you for listening. If you would like some handout notes, 6 pages containing the text and some more (but not these ppt slides) then please write your address (legibly!) on sheet at the front. Add your name and contact number in case of any difficulty. If you don t have then please ask someone who does have? Thanks again. Blank v9 Slightly shorter as 3 slides hidden 17