Christianity: Jesus Christ Flashcards
Explain the term Messiah, in terms of significance and relevance today.
1) - King and Saviour
- Fulfils and Old Testament prophecy about a King coming to save the Hebrews
- Rebooting Judaism
- A threat to those in power
- Blasphemy
2) - Christians are waiting for the second coming
- Jesus is saving us from annihilation
- Ultimate sacrifice
Explain the term Son of God, in terms of significance and relevance today.
1) - Servant
- Pastoral relationship between God, Jesus and you (Jesus called God Abba - Daddy)
- God is making the ultimate sacrifice in giving the world his only son
2) (Some) Christians regard themselves as the children of God
Explain the term Lord, in terms of significance and relevance today.
1) - Master
- Both Jesus and God the Father - Trinity
- Knowledgeable
- Powerful
- Voluntarily subservient to Jesus
2) Still seen as powerful
Explain the term Saviour, in terms of significance and relevance today.
1) Saves people from annihilation (people are scared of dying)
2) He still saves people from annihilation (He brought back immortality)
How is Jesus an exemplar figure?
- Pacifist
- Doesn’t lie
- Leader who is a humble servant
- Washing the feet of guests - welcoming people into his kingdom (Heaven)
- Selfless
- Celibate
What is the importance of Agape?
- Agape (unconditional love), according to Jesus, is the most important teaching
- Matthew 22:36-39
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
How is Agape shown in the New Testament?
- Luke 10:25-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan)
“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” - Matthew 8:1-4 (Jesus heals a leper)
- Mark 5:21-42 (Jesus heals Jairus’s daughter)
What teachings did Jesus use in the Sermon on the Mount?
1) The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-16)
2) Jesus and the law (Matthew 5:17-48)
3) True discipleship (Matthew 6:1-18)
4) True righteousness (Matthew 6: 19-7:12)
5) The narrow gateway (Matthew 7:13-23)
6) Building on solid foundations (Matthew 7:24-29)
What ideals are expressed in the Beatitudes?
Jesus describes the qualities God will bless:
- The poor, the mourning, the meek - Mother Teresa
- The righteous, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers - Martin Luther King
- Those persecuted because of standing up for righteousness and Christianity - Oscar Romero (stood up for the poor in El Salvador and was assassinated)
What ideals are expressed about the law?
- Jesus fulfils the law - he does not want to abolish it
- Those seeking to enter the Kingdom of Heaven must obey laws
- He says obedience must come from the heart: anger is as bad as murder; lust is as bad as adultery
- “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
- “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
What ideals are expressed about true discipleship?
- When you give to the needy, do it discretely
- When you pray, do it in private
- When you fast, do it happily
- Jesus calls people who do this publicly “hypocrites”. This is because God sees everything - if you do something for God, He will know. Hypocrites do these things not out of faith, but to receive praise from others; this is not true discipleship
What ideals are expressed about true righteousness?
- Earthly riches do not matter - you have to have spiritual riches so that you serve God, not money.
- Judging others when you yourself are imperfect:
“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
What ideals are expressed about the narrow gateway?
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
What ideals are expressed about building on solid foundations?
- Following Jesus’s advice is like building a house on a rock: it will not fall, no matter what hardships
- Those who ignore Jesus’s advice are building their house on sand: it will fall
How do different Christians follow Jesus’s example?
1) Evangelicals - they share Jesus’s message and persuade others to become believers. This is in accordance with Jesus’s message of listening to his commandments and building their house on a rock.
2) Volunteers - many Christians volunteer to help the poor e.g. in food banks. They are following the great commandment of “Love your neighbour as yourself” and the parable of the sheep and the goats - helping the needy is helping God.
