i think i got a 'b': Jesus the Man
Jesus the Man
In the Old Testament there are many prophets and leaders of the people. In the New Testament for focus is on one: Jesus. As the son of God, he holds the understanding of the universe and the responsibility of saving the human race. He speaks in parables and paradoxes, and one could say is a paradox himself. But who is he? Through the gospels there is little description of Jesus the man, but through the hints that we are given Jesus seems to be made out to be a normal person with normal flaws. In this paper I will look at his beliefs, actions, and family to find if these flaws are present or not.
In the first half of each of the gospels we hear the parables that Jesus presents, the new rules through which the people are supposed to live by. In this there is the raising of the poor in both spirit and monetary worth (Matthew 5.3 and Luke 6.20 respectively). This change from the Old Testament indicates a favoring and love for those less fortunate. Indicating, possibly, that the author was of a lower status. This along with the influence from Persia and Greece could have created this characteristic in Jesus of believing in those who have less. Also there is his complete disdain for the matter of the flesh that is reflected in Matthew 5.27 with the strict credence against adultery. In chapter 6 of Matthew Jesus speaks against all things of flesh: money, clothing, food, and drink. This sets him apart from his people in that it is human nature to desire those needs of drink food and shelter in the form of clothing or a house, and Jesus does not desire these things.
These beliefs should connect to his actions, but there is a break in the belief from the actions that should result. Jesus’ miracles often present themselves in the form of healing, as seen in Matthew 8.2 when Jesus heals the leper when asked, ”’Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.‘“ This contradicts his devaluing of the flesh. It seems that by healing he is lengthening their lives and thereby denying them access to heaven till a later date. In terms of who this makes him as a man, this indicates a actual understanding for the pains of the flesh even though he states that you should just ignore them. The most contradictory action is the incident with the fig tree. In Matthew 21.18 he smites the tree for having no fruit. This seems a childish thing to do, to kill something because it does not give you what you desire. Also this works against words Jesus spoke in Matthew 6 against desiring food. In Matthew 15.36 he shows the power to feed the masses with seven loaves of bread, and early shows the ability to control the forces of nature, yet here he can only smite the tree and not bring forth fruit. Either he is being shown to be forgetful of his power, or just as willing to smite as his Father in the Old Testament.
Through actions compared to beliefs we see that Jesus is a contradictory man. If only looking into the actions that he makes, we see him to have pity for those in pain, and have the frustration of the rest of human kind of not getting that which you want in the moment you want it. Even in his death we see him asking to be saved (Matthew 27.46). Jesus appears to be a man who thinks big, but acts as any man would in the same situations. He is only of a normal stature in looking at his actions, but his beliefs put him above his disciples.
In the Old Testament there are many prophets and leaders of the people. In the New Testament for focus is on one: Jesus. As the son of God, he holds the understanding of the universe and the responsibility of saving the human race. He speaks in parables and paradoxes, and one could say is a paradox himself. But who is he? Through the gospels there is little description of Jesus the man, but through the hints that we are given Jesus seems to be made out to be a normal person with normal flaws. In this paper I will look at his beliefs, actions, and family to find if these flaws are present or not.
In the first half of each of the gospels we hear the parables that Jesus presents, the new rules through which the people are supposed to live by. In this there is the raising of the poor in both spirit and monetary worth (Matthew 5.3 and Luke 6.20 respectively). This change from the Old Testament indicates a favoring and love for those less fortunate. Indicating, possibly, that the author was of a lower status. This along with the influence from Persia and Greece could have created this characteristic in Jesus of believing in those who have less. Also there is his complete disdain for the matter of the flesh that is reflected in Matthew 5.27 with the strict credence against adultery. In chapter 6 of Matthew Jesus speaks against all things of flesh: money, clothing, food, and drink. This sets him apart from his people in that it is human nature to desire those needs of drink food and shelter in the form of clothing or a house, and Jesus does not desire these things.
These beliefs should connect to his actions, but there is a break in the belief from the actions that should result. Jesus’ miracles often present themselves in the form of healing, as seen in Matthew 8.2 when Jesus heals the leper when asked, ”’Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.‘“ This contradicts his devaluing of the flesh. It seems that by healing he is lengthening their lives and thereby denying them access to heaven till a later date. In terms of who this makes him as a man, this indicates a actual understanding for the pains of the flesh even though he states that you should just ignore them. The most contradictory action is the incident with the fig tree. In Matthew 21.18 he smites the tree for having no fruit. This seems a childish thing to do, to kill something because it does not give you what you desire. Also this works against words Jesus spoke in Matthew 6 against desiring food. In Matthew 15.36 he shows the power to feed the masses with seven loaves of bread, and early shows the ability to control the forces of nature, yet here he can only smite the tree and not bring forth fruit. Either he is being shown to be forgetful of his power, or just as willing to smite as his Father in the Old Testament.
Through actions compared to beliefs we see that Jesus is a contradictory man. If only looking into the actions that he makes, we see him to have pity for those in pain, and have the frustration of the rest of human kind of not getting that which you want in the moment you want it. Even in his death we see him asking to be saved (Matthew 27.46). Jesus appears to be a man who thinks big, but acts as any man would in the same situations. He is only of a normal stature in looking at his actions, but his beliefs put him above his disciples.
posted by rizu desu at 10:01 PM
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