Jesus of Nazareth The Messiah

Jesus Christ Jesus of Nazareth (c. 5 BC/BCE c. 30 AD/CE), also known as Jesus Christ or simply Jesus, is the central figure of Christianity, which views him as the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God (in the concept of the Trinity, he is God [as] the Son), who came to provide humankind with salvation and reconciliation with God by his death for their sins

Ichthys

IsousChristos,TheouYios,StrFish are mentioned and given symbolic meaning several times in the Gospels. Several ofJesus' twelveApostleswere fishermen. He commissions them with the words "I will make you fishers of men".Having resurrected, Jesus is offered some broiled fish and honeycomb inLuke24:41-43.

Jesus FishAt thefeeding of the five thousand, a boy is brought to Jesus with "five small loaves and two fish". The question is asked, "But what are they, among so many?" Jesus multiplies the loaves and fish to feed the multitude. InMatthew13:47-50, Jesus compares God's decision on who will go to heaven or to hell ("the fiery furnace") at the end of this world to fishers sorting out their catch, keeping the good fish and throwing the bad fish away.

Jesus FishInJohn21:11, it is related that the disciples fished all night but caught nothing. Jesus instructed them to cast the nets on the other side of the boat, andthey drew in 153 fish.

Synoptic GospelsThe principal sources of information regarding Jesus' life and teachings are the four canonical gospels, though some scholars believe texts such as the Gospel of Thomas are also relevant.Historians believe that the New Testament is useful for reconstructing Jesus' life. Most agree that Jesus was a Jew who was regarded as a teacher and healer, that he was baptized by John the Baptist, and was crucified in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, on the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire.

Possible year of birthScholars generally conclude that Jesus was born sometime between 7-2 BC and died sometime between 26-36AD.The Gospel of Matthew states Jesus' birth occurred during the reign of Herod The Great, who died in 4 BC/BCE.

Nativity and early lifeAccording to Matthew and Luke, Jesus was born in Bethelem of Judea to Mary, a virgin, by a miracle of the Holy Spirit.In Matthew, the Magi bring gifts to the young Jesus after following the Star of Bethelem. King Herod hears of Jesus' birth from the Wise Men and tries to kill him by massacring all the male children in Bethlehem under the age of two (the massacre of the innocents"). The family flees to Egypt and remains there until Herod's death, whereupon they settle in Nazareth to avoid living under the authority of Herod's son and successor Archelaus.

Early life and professionIn Mark 6:3 Jesus is called a tekton in Greek), usually understood to mean carpenter. But it is a rather general word for technician.

Baptism All three Gospels describe the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, an event which Biblical scholars describe as the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. According to these accounts, Jesus came to the Jordan River where John the Baptist had been preaching and baptizing people in the crowd. After Jesus was baptized and rose from the water, Mark states Jesus "saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.

DisciplesIn the synoptic Gospels, Jesus calls some Jewish men to be his Twelve Apostles. None of them seems to have been a peasant. At least four are described as fishermen and another as a tax collector. In Mark, the disciples are strangely obtuse, failing to understand Jesus' deeds and parables.Luke places a special emphasis on the women who followed Jesus, such as Mary Magdalene.

Teachings At the height of his ministry, Jesus is said to have attracted huge crowds numbering in the thousands, primarily in the areas of Galilee and Perea.His teachings encourage unconditional self-sacrificing God like love for God and for all people, as well faith and forgiveness of sin.

Transfiguration and Jesus' divine roleIn the synoptic gospels, Jesus leads three select disciples: Peter, John, and James to the top of a mountain. While there, he is transformed before them, his face shining like the sun and his clothes brilliant white; Moses appears adjacent to him. A bright cloud overshadows them, and a voice from the sky says, "This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased". The Transfiguration is a turning point in Jesus ministry. Just before it and thereafter, Jesus warns that he is to suffer, die and rise again.

JerusalemJesus came with his followers to Jerusalem during the Passover festival where a large crowd came to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!

Following his entry, Jesus created a disturbance at HerodsTemple by overturning the tables of the moneychangers who set up shop there, and claiming that they had made the Temple a "den of robbers".

Betrayal and arrestWhile in the Garden, Jesus is arrested by temple guards on the orders of the Sanhedrin and the high priest, Caiaphas. The arrest takes place clandestinely at night to avoid a riot, as Jesus is popular with the people at large.Judas Iscariot, one of his apostles, betrays Jesus by identifying him to the guards with a kiss.

Trials before the Sanhedrin and PilateJesus affirms that he is the Messiah before the Sanhedrin. The Jewish leaders turn him over to Pilate for execution, but Pilate is reluctant to execute Jesus. In an attempt to spare Jesus' life, Pilate offers the mob a chance to free him, but they choose Barabbas instead, so that the responsibility for Jesus' execution falls on the mob of Jews that the Pharisees have incited, rather than on the Romans

DeathIn Mark, Jesus is stripped, flogged, mocked, and crowned with thorns. He is crucified between two thieves, and his cross states that he is being executed for aspiring to be the king of the Jews.

He asks God to forgive those who are crucifying him, possibly the Romans and possibly the Jews.

The Synoptic Gospels tell of the darkening of the sky from twelve until three that afternoon.

Resurrection and ascensionThe Gospels state that Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday. All the Gospels portray Jesus' empty tomb. In Matthew, an angel appears near the tomb of Jesus and announces his resurrection to Mary Magdalene.In Luke, Jesus ascends on Easter Sunday evening when he is with his disciples.