Amazed and Afraid
Bishop Robert Barron・28 minutes read
Jesus is presented as either who he claims to be or a bad man, with no middle ground, and his central claim in Christianity is that God became human in Bethlehem. His actions and teachings consistently point to his divinity, demanding a radical commitment from his followers, while his battle on the cross symbolizes fighting against sin with forgiveness and love, culminating in the Resurrection distinguishing him from failed revolutionaries.
Insights
- Jesus presents a stark choice: either he is who he claims to be or he is a bad man, eliminating the middle ground of viewing him as merely an inspiring religious teacher.
- The unexpected power of God is embodied in the vulnerable baby Jesus, challenging traditional notions of strength.
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Recent questions
Who is Jesus according to Christianity?
Jesus is believed to be God incarnate.
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Summary
00:00
Jesus: Divine or Deceiver? The Ultimate Choice.
- Jesus presents a stark choice: either he is who he claims to be or he is a bad man, eliminating the middle ground of viewing him as merely an inspiring religious teacher.
- The central claim of Christianity is that God became human, specifically in Bethlehem, a humble place, emphasizing the unexpected nature of God's arrival.
- Jesus, growing up in obscurity, emerged around 30 AD with bold preaching, claiming authority over Divine Law and performing miracles, leading to widespread curiosity about his identity.
- Jesus was not a gentle, domesticated figure but a subversive and disconcerting one, compelling a choice unlike any other religious founder.
- In a pivotal moment, Jesus asks his disciples who they believe he is, emphasizing his personal identity as God incarnate throughout the Gospels.
- Jesus' actions and teachings consistently point to his divinity, demanding a radical commitment from his followers.
- Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, culminating in the cleansing of the temple, symbolizes his role as the new place of worship, surpassing the old temple and establishing himself as the center of right praise.
- Jesus' actions and sayings regarding the temple signify his identity as the new Temple, where Divinity and Humanity meet, fulfilling ancient prophecies of renewal and restoration.
- Jesus, as the new Temple, remains the place of right praise, cleansing the church from corruption and negativity through his presence and lordship.
- Jesus, portrayed as a warrior in the Old Testament, fights against the enemies of Israel, embodying a unique and unexpected form of battle that challenges traditional expectations.
23:27
Jesus: Warrior, Vulnerable, Victorious Lord of Nations
- CS Lewis described Jesus as a warrior meant to infiltrate enemy lines quietly.
- Luke's Nativity account contrasts powerful figures like Caesar Augustus with the humble couple, Mary and Joseph.
- Jesus, born in a stable, symbolizes vulnerability and weakness compared to Caesar Augustus' power.
- The angelic army announcing Jesus' birth signifies a greater force than Caesar Augustus' military might.
- The unexpected power of God is embodied in the vulnerable baby Jesus, challenging traditional notions of strength.
- Jesus' final battle on the cross symbolizes a unique form of fighting against sin and darkness with forgiveness and love.
- The Resurrection is a pivotal event that distinguishes Jesus from failed revolutionaries, emphasizing his divine nature.
- The emergence of Christianity as a Messianic movement is inexplicable without the Resurrection, according to NT Wright.
- The Risen Jesus' appearance to disciples emphasizes the victory over sin and death through forgiveness and love.
- The proclamation of Jesus as Lord challenges the authority of Caesar, symbolizing a new reign of Jesus over the nations.
45:42
Spirituality Triumphs Over Secular Power at Coliseum
- The Coliseum, historically a site of Christian persecution in later centuries, symbolizes the power of spirituality over worldly forces, exemplified by the Pope carrying the cross on Good Friday to signify victory through nonviolence, compassion, and love, contrasting secular power's reliance on violence with the enduring strength of love and forgiveness.
