Crucified under placard reading INRI: Iesus Naxarenus Rex Iudaeorum. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Planned for a company of followers to carry on his work. Worked with a faithful band of disciples for two years, taught them about life in the kingdom of God. Introduced them to a new covenant that bound them together in forgiveness and love. Found it necessary to call for the loyalty of his followers without confusing the purpose of his mission with the objectives of the other parties among the Jews (Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Essenes). Began his ministry by joining a new movement in the Judean wilderness led by a prophet, John the Baptist. Began his mission in Galilee, traveled from village to village throughout Galilee preaching in Synagogues and on the Sabbath. Main theme of his teaching was the "Kingdom of God". His popularity aroused much controversy. The Pharisee’s challenges gave him a chance to contrast his message versus the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. About one year before his arrest in Jerusalem, his popularity peaked when he fed 5,000, then fled to the hills with a committed few. On the Sunday before his last Passover, he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The next day he threw out the money changers, et. al., from the temple. He held his final Passover feast with his disciples. On the first day of Passover, after the meal, he went to the Mount of Olives to pray at Gethsemane, was arrested, tried unjustly, and was crucified. Jesus claimed the O.T. was God’s word to man. He believed the statements of scripture, endorsed its teaching, obeyed its commands, set himself to fulfill the pattern of redemption it laid down. He was fully man and fully God. Eusebius claims that Jesus received a letter from Abgar the Black from Edessa.
[tags]BlogRodent, church-history, ChurchRodent, Essenes, history, Jesus, John-the-Baptist, Passover, Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots[/tags]
