KNOWING THE MAN JESUS

INCARNATION

The incarnation of Jesus is a fundamental belief in Christianity. It means that Jesus, who is
believed to be the Son of God, took on human form and lived among humanity. According to
Christian tradition, Jesus was conceived by Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Christians worldwide commemorate Jesus' birth, known as the Nativity, during the Christmas
season. It is believed that through his birth, Jesus entered into the human experience, having
both divine and human nature. Throughout his life, Jesus demonstrated love, compassion, and
wisdom, and taught principles of forgiveness, humility, and service to others. His sacrificial
death on the cross is believed to have opened the way for eternal life with God, offering
redemption and salvation to all.

Jesus' incarnation represents God's profound love and mercy, as well as the desire to restore
the broken relationship between God and humanity. By becoming human, Jesus can relate to
the joys and struggles of human existence on a personal level. Overall, the incarnation
highlights the belief that God took on flesh to dwell among humanity, offering hope, salvation,
and the opportunity for a restored relationship with God.

PALESTINE DURING THE TIME OF JESUS

During Jesus' time, Palestine was a land under Roman rule, and the Jewish people suffered
from heavy taxation from both Romans and local Jewish leaders. Pious Jews believed that tax
money belonged to God and should be spent for religious purposes like supporting the temple,
which led to conflicts over the payment of taxes to Rome. The Pharisees questioned Jesus on
whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Rome, and Jesus responded by giving them a deeper
understanding of the people's responsibilities to God and Caesar.

Internal conflicts among the Jewish people led to class inequality, with the rich collaborating with
the Romans for their own benefit while the poor suffered from burdensome taxes. Many of the
poor were driven out of their land, leading them to either join the brigands or seek employment
outside Palestine. This context of political unrest and social injustice influenced Jesus' message,
as he delivered teachings that focused on societal issues and emphasized the importance of
finding peace and love in one's heart.

The Pharisees were one of the significant groups representing religious and political power
during Jesus' time, enforcing strict adherence to Jewish law, often in conflict with Jesus'
message of love and compassion. However, Jesus delivered his teaching/s amidst a backdrop
of tension and conflict among the Jewish people and under Roman oppression, emphasizing
the significance of social justice and focusing on the spiritual transformation of the people.
Jesus' response to the Pharisees gave people a deeper understanding of their responsibilities
to God and their obligations to the earthly authority patterns in Palestine during Jesus' time.

JESUS AND THE JEWISH INSTITUTIONS

In the Gospels, Jesus is depicted as a devout follower of Jewish traditions and customs. He
regularly attended synagogue services and made pilgrimages to the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus
had a deep reverence for the temple, considering it the dwelling place of His Father. However,
Jesus also taught that He would replace the temple as the place of worship, and that through
Him, believers could pray and worship God in spirit and truth.

Jesus observed the Jewish prayer life, participating in communal prayers and reciting the
Shema, a declaration of faith in the Lord. He also prayed alone, often seeking solitary places to
commune with God. Jesus incorporated the Jewish prayers and rituals into His own life and
ministry.

The Sabbath day held great importance to the Jewish people, and Jesus taught on the Sabbath,
emphasizing simplicity and the true purpose of the Sabbath. Rather than focusing on rigid rules
and legalistic attitudes, Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for the benefit of humanity, not
as a burden.

The Jewish festivals held significant meaning to the Jewish people, and Jesus gave new
meaning to these celebrations. He acted as the New Moses, Paschal Lamb, Source of Light,
and Living Water, bringing a deeper understanding to these observances. Jesus fulfilled the
purpose of all true worship of God.

Jesus also upheld the Torah, the Jewish Law, but He purified and modified it to emphasize the
true spirit of the Law, which is love. Jesus taught that obedience to God's law should come from
a heart filled with love for God and love for others. He rejected the burdensome additions to the
Law imposed by the Pharisees, emphasizing the importance of sincere and genuine obedience.

Overall, Jesus embraced and respected the Jewish institutions and traditions, while also
bringing a fresh perspective and deeper understanding to them. He showed a deep reverence
for the temple, participated in communal and personal prayers, taught on the Sabbath, brought
new meaning to Jewish festivals, and upheld the Torah with a focus on love and genuine
obedience.

JESUS AND THE PEOPLE OF HIS TIME

Jesus encountered a diverse range of people during his life and ministry. These people included
farmers, fisherfolk, homemakers, landowners, laborers, Pharisees, Sadducees, tax collectors,
Zealot Samaritans, and outcasts of society. Jesus had unique challenges and messages for
each of these groups.

The Pharisees were a religious movement that emphasized strict adherence to God's law.
Jesus criticized them for prioritizing rules and regulations over the spirit of the law.

The Sadducees, on the other hand, rejected the idea of the resurrection. Jesus corrected their
beliefs by explaining that in the resurrection, there is no marriage.

Despite their negative reputation, Jesus ate with tax collectors, who were considered public
sinners. He even chose a tax collector, Matthew, as one of his apostles. This action scandalized
the Pharisees but demonstrated Jesus' compassion and willingness to reach out to those
despised by society.
Simon, a disciple of Jesus, was a Zealot. The Zealots were known for their fervent religious and
patriotic zeal and their desire to overthrow Roman rule. By choosing Simon, Jesus showed that
he could see potential even in someone with radical beliefs.

Jesus also showed compassion towards the Samaritans, who were considered impure by the
Jews due to intermarriage with pagans. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus overturned
societal norms by making a Samaritan the hero of the story, emphasizing the importance of
responding to the needs of others, even enemies.

Jesus was not a member of any Jewish priestly class, but he interacted with them. He
challenged their priorities, emphasizing the importance of loving service to the needy over ritual
purity.

Jesus also spent time with the poor and outcasts of society, showing himself as the Good
Shepherd who cared for the lost sheep. He demonstrated personal love through acts of healing
and kindness.

Overall, Jesus encountered people from all walks of life and had a unique message for each of
them. His interactions with these individuals teach us about his compassion, inclusivity, and his
call to love and serve others.

SYMBOLS

1. INCARNATION: The symbol for incarnation could be a combination of a human figure and a
divine figure merging together, representing the unity of humanity and divinity in Jesus. Through
the incarnation, Jesus reveals God's love and understanding of human existence, serving as a
model for believers to follow.

2. PALESTINE DURING THE TIME OF JESUS: The symbol for Palestine during Jesus' time
could be a map of the region, highlighting its diversity and the various cultural influences
present. This symbol signifies the complex social and political environment Jesus lived in,
shaped by Roman rule and diverse religious traditions.

3. JESUS AND THE JEWISH INSTITUTIONS: The symbol for Jesus and the Jewish institutions
could be a combination of a temple and a book, representing the importance of both physical
and spiritual aspects of Jewish life during that time. This symbol illustrates Jesus' engagement
with these institutions, his critiques of their practices, and his call for true worship and
righteousness.

4. JESUS AND THE PEOPLE OF HIS TIME: The symbol for Jesus and the people of his time
could be an open circle, representing inclusivity and equality. This symbol reflects Jesus'
interactions with a wide range of individuals, including his disciples, religious leaders, and
marginalized members of society. It highlights his compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance of
all people.

5. WAYS TO EXPERIENCE JESUS IN THE HERE AND NOW: The symbol for ways to
experience Jesus in the here and now could be a heart surrounded by various elements like a
Bible, hands in prayer, and a community gathering. This symbol signifies the importance of
personal connection to Jesus through prayer, studying scriptures, participating in communal
worship, following his teachings, and being open to encounters and transformations in everyday
life.

These symbols capture the essence of each aspect, providing visual representations of the key
insights learned about Jesus and his life.