Christianity 101: Session Three JESUS CHRIST

Presentation of Ponderings Reminders: God Reveals his Name: YAWEH What do we know about God? How did God create? Pondering Prompt: How does God reveal Himself to us?

Read YOUCAT Conf. Book 4.3, pg. 32

HIS ONLY SON Jesus is Yeshuah YAHWEH saves Given by the Angel Gabriel to Mary at the annunciation. This name expresses both his mission and his identity. Christ Messiah (Greek translation) Messiah means: anointed one Anointed for a special office: priest, prophet and king

SON HIS ONLY The phrase son of God is repeatedly in the OT. It is given to: angels, the Chosen People, the children of Israel and their kings. This phrase symbolizes an ADOPTIVE sonship. Simon Peter confesses Jesus is: the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus response: Flesh and blood has not REVEALED this to you, but MY FATHER who is in heaven. -Mt. 16:16-17

SON HIS ONLY Jesus distinguishes himself as Son of God..NOT simply a son of God He distinguishes his sonship from that of his disciples by never saying our Father except to command them: You, then, pray like this: Our Father He emphasizes this distinction by saying: my Father and your Father.

Son of God IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Son of God IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Voice from Heaven designates Jesus as His beloved Son at the Baptism and the Transfiguration (Mt.3:17 & Mt.17:5)

Jesus calls himself: The only Son of God (Jn 3:16).This affirms his ETERNAL PRE-EXISTANCE

Son of God IN THE NEW TESTAMENT After his Resurrection, his divine sonship becomes manifest in the power of his GLORIFIED HUMANITY

Son of God IN THE NEW TESTAMENT He can change his appearance (Road to Emmaus, Lk 24:16+31) He can move at will (Upper Room, Lk 24:36 and Jn 20:19) Can eat food but doesn t appear to need it (Jn 21:12-14) Is no longer effected by wounds (Doubts of Thomas Jn 20:27)

OUR LORD YAHWEH Kyrios (Greek) Kyrios means Lord in English YAWEH is such a sacred name to the Israelites, that they only use it for important moments of prayer and began using Lord to refer to God the Father.

OUR LORD Jesus gives this title to HIMSELF Indirectly: when he disputes the Pharisees about Psalm 110 Explicitly: when he addresses his apostles (Mt 22:41-46; Acts 2:34-36) By Actions: He has power over nature, illnesses, demons, death, and sin.

Jesus makes 8 I Am statements in the Gospel of John alone. John 8: 51-59 is a particularly strong example!

What IS something YOU have to do OUT OF responsibility?

CONCEIVED by the HOLY SPIRIT of the Virgin MARY and born Read Luke 1:26-38

THE ANNUNCIATON The Archangel (messenger) Gabriel appears to Mary Mary is betrothed to Joseph Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus (Yeshuah). He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, How can this be? Since I have no relations with a man.

MARY S FIAT Behold, I am the HANDMAID OF THE LORD, LET IT BE DONE TO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR Word.

Mary, Mother of God What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ. -CCC 487

The Immaculate Conception To become the mother of the Savior, Mary was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. -LG 56 Angel Gabriel states that Mary is Full of Grace. From the first moments of her conception she is preserved immune from all stain of original Sin. She needed to be perfect in order to carry perfection within herself.

The Jesus Question? Jesus clearly claims to be God and asks us to follow Him. This means we must choose one of the following options: He s a liar and I won t follow him. He is crazy and I won t follow him. His disciples made it all up, I won t follow him. He is God and I must follow him.?????

PONDERING QUESTION: Why is it important for salvation that God became man?