Option 1: Pick one of the four gospels, and discuss how the author uniquely portrays Jesus. Discuss how this Gospel adds to our understanding and appreciation of who Jesus truly is. Highlight one specific passage from the Gospel to back up your post. For example, if you chose Matthew's Gospel as highlighting Jesus as the Messiah who fulfills Old Testament prophecies, you might use one of the many passages where Matthew quotes the Old Testament prophets in his writing.
Option 2: Select one of the I AM Statements from John's Gospel, and explain how it impacts and adds to our understanding of who Jesus is. Talk about why Jesus might have used this image and how the image fits into the larger context of Scripture. For example, if you choose Jesus' statement about being the Good Shepherd, you may draw connections with Psalm 23, etc.
Please title your post with your Last Name and the option you have chosen. Use good writing construction, and no more than 500 words. Interact with one other student in a meaningful way, adding to their discussion (more than just, "I agree, or Good Post"
Hi Scott,
I think what you have hit upon here is so important, Jesus it seems to me always made a personal connection with the hurt and the lost people. I see too many times that Christians today are not willing to make that connection unless they are guaranteed or fill that they have a high chance to get a response that we can put another mark in our mind that we accomplished something. Maybe I am wrong but that doesn't seem to line up with the kind of love Jesus has for humanity, he loved them even know how ultimately he would be rejected. It was only after the measure of time that we see that change from the occurrence of Jesus sacrifices on the cross. As we move forward we need to love our Neighbor for their good and not for the filling you or I may get with a positive response.
Cunningham -- Option 1: Gospel of Luke
Luke’s Gospel uniquely portrays Jesus for His humanity. Luke does this in his writings by (1) emphasizing the completeness of God’s plan encompassing the human life of Jesus – from his miraculous birth to his tortuous death and wondrous resurrection; (2) presenting God’s plan of salvation for humankind; (3) explaining that God’s plan includes the most human of all – Gentiles; and (4) describing Jesus concern for the outcasts of society in his interactions and teachings.
In describing the completeness of God’s plan, Luke provides almost a step-by-step explanation of the pieces that must be in place for the plan to be fulfilled. Included in this plan is the humanity experienced by Jesus – physical birth, and later hunger, thirst, exhaustion; emotions that include revulsion, compassion, empathy and sympathy; and ultimately a declaration explaining the reason for it all. As our textbook authors’ wrote, “As Jesus summarizes in a climatic assertion at the end of the gospel” Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses . . ..” (24:44)
By explaining God’s plan, Luke is able to explain salvation for the world. In Luke 19:10, Jesus is quoted as saying “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” In the nine verses that proceed this, we read the story of Jesus in the home of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector. In this most human of encounters, in the intimacy of a person’s home, “Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house . . ..” (19:9) Throughout the entire book of Luke, Jesus places himself with and before humankind. He doesn’t separate himself. Rather he is teaching and bringing salvation directly to those whom God has intended the gift.
While Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham, Jesus did not limit his gift to Abraham’s chosen descendants. We see Jesus commending and extending his grace to Gentiles such as a Roman centurion. In Luke 7:1-10, we read of the interaction between Jesus and the centurion asking for Jesus to heal his aide. In verse 9,” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." We also see Jesus extending his humanness in his parable teachings such as making a despised Samaritan a hero in perhaps one of the most famous parables (Luke 10:30-37).
We of course, love Jesus for his love for us. Luke writes in detail of how Jesus ministered, healed, interacted with the most human of us all – the poor, sinners, fallen women. One parable found only in Luke (16:19-31) is that of the rich man and Lazarus. In life, the rich man couldn’t bring himself to care of Lazarus. In death, the rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus to give him comfort from hell’s fire. Jesus teaching is clear: we have a human duty to care for our fellow humans -- we’ve been warned.