The first chapter of McGrath’s text explores Jesus as a person unique in history and in the religious life of the Jewish people, as well as non-Jews (gentiles). His life, crucifixion and resurrection are according to the Gospels the fulfillment of the ancient covenant between the Jewish people and God from the time of Abraham to Moses. Jesus, both fully human and fully divine, is God and thereby the bridge between mankind and God through redemption of humanity. To live the Gospel, one must live as Jesus abiding in love of God and love of all others. Redemptive salvation is open to all people who believe, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or any other difference among one another, that Jesus died and was resurrected in atonement for their sins to reconcile them with God.
There is a rich, deep complexity to understanding Jesus as a historical figure and as God incarnate. The Christological titles for Jesus of Nazareth demonstrate this fact most clearly, and this is the first time I’ve had a concise outline and explanation of the deeper meaning behind each title. I would like to engage in further study of this manner of understanding Jesus as both person and as God.
It is surprising and very interesting that in the time of Jesus’ ministry, there were apparently denominations among the Jewish people as various sects held their own understanding of their faith; that is, there were active sects including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots and Essenes each having a set of core beliefs quite different from the other and acting upon those beliefs in how they lived their daily and spiritual lives. The Jews of the Diaspora who lived a more Hellenistic (Greek) way of life were even farther removed from those in Jerusalem. Of particular note is that the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of all the dead at the end of time, while the Sadducees didn’t believe in any form of resurrection. Learning more about these various sects would have value in better understanding the spread of the Gospel message among the Jewish people, as well as non-Jews.
I appreciated the mention of Mary, the God-bearer, as a person of devotion and trust in God to be emulated, as well as the role various other women had in the ministry during the life of Jesus. This is a topic that needs more attention in the universal church and is strong validation for equality among all the Baptized in the administration of sacraments and Holy Orders. I would also like the opportunity to examine more thoroughly the parables shared by Christ Jesus with the apostles and those listening to his teachings. These would be a good source for inspiration in teaching and preaching, especially as they apply to our contemporary challenges living as Christians in a postmodern world.
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