Was Jesus an Apocalyptic Teacher - Essay Example

Teacher Jesus an apocalyptic teacher of timeless virtues Introduction There's no other person as controversial in the modern ageas the man-God figure of Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians believe to be the incarnate son of God sent to redeem the world from sin by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. A lot of skepticism had been raised on the truth of his teachings, ideas, and even questioned the real existence of the person (Case 32). But whether or not the critics accept the facts presented; whether or not they consider him another apocalyptic teacher, the reality is his teachings has changed much of the world, the lives of many, and a lot of societies value the ideals claimed to have emanated from him. Many believed Jesus was a teacher, a hero, a king, a God, who was the fulfillment of Gods promise of showing goodness first to his people-the Jews, then to the rest of the "gentile" world. As a teacher of good virtues, to the Christians, Jesus was the best. However, scholars and critics marked the contents of his messages as apocalyptic in nature and even classified him among the Jewish fundamentalists of his time who desperately portrayed the promised messiah to redeem his nation from hopelessness. Despite this we believe that his teaching, although contained some apocalyptic messages, is more deep-seated and applies to the very nature of man that when really accepted and lived into, would provide greater understanding and harmony among all the people. Most of his messages are not time-bound and can even be applied universally, for the self and for the others. Some hinted that if Jesus was not really the promised son of God, then his story is the greatest hoax ever that corrupted the earth. Amidst all criticisms we have known that the teachings he brought are priceless and have stood through the test of times. The source of Jesus' teachings We have heard a lot about Jesus and the controversies surrounding his existence. We have no point discussing further on the controversy and we accept the fact that Jesus truly existed and brought good news in his time that created a stir globally. The question that lies ahead is putting up the teachings of Jesus on the real context and purpose. Evidences have shown that the only living sources of his teachings are the gospels, which was originally passed verbally, written, and rewritten, until finally it came out to a form so varied from the original context. The New Testament Books that we have are just few of the literatures produced almost a century after the real Jesus died. As the teachings are passed across different personalities, cultures, and communities, some thoughts are added and some are omitted. The revisions on the composition had only stopped when the final compilation came out. But the value of the message lies not on the way it is formulated. As Norman Perrin, Associate Professor of New Testament at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago stated in his Reconstruction and Interpretation of the Teachings of Jesus, it is not the accuracy of historical account that is being emphasized in the writings but the applicability of the teachings to the lives of Jesus' followers. Although many have changed in the messages and teachings, the essence is preserved and the usefulness of the teaching is still acceptable. A scholarly evaluation on the writing and rewriting of the original teachings can be discussed in technical or theological terms but what is important to an ordinary Christian believer is the impact the messages has caused their lives whatever are the motives, perspectives, orientation, and purpose of the writers. The changes may have caused vagueness or over-simplicity but the application is clear that they lived and caused to change lives until the present time. The Teachings The Apocalyptic teaching of Jesus Apocalyptic themes are very prevalent among the teachings of the early Jewish teachers and prophets and even the times of Jesus. This may have influenced him since "many of his convictions and beliefs were drawn from the great religious teachers of Israel's past. His conception of God was essentially that presented by the prophets, the psalmists, and the compilers of the law books" (Branscomb 357). The first feature of the teachings of Jesus, which brought attention to his audience who became his disciples and followers later are apocalyptic in nature. We look at this point as a good strategy of Jesus to give the people reasons to become alert, to make the start of his ministry as attractive as possible to the Jews, his initial targets. It started with the preaching of John the Baptist, who was accepted by Christians as the person who prepares the way for the coming of the messiah as stated in the prophecy of prophet Malachi (The Holy Bible: New King James Version, Malachi 3:1) in the Old Testament, which theme is apocalypses. The statements, "Prepare for the kingdom is near," was a message to awaken the Jewish people to let them reconsider their actions and preferences for it is the end of time. The essence of this teaching, which was also accepted or pursued by Jesus, was for the people to change their ways from sinfulness to righteousness since only those who renew themselves can enter the kingdom that was promised by God, a kingdom dreamt by most Jews since the Babylonian captivity of Israel. The upper class of the Jewish society opposes the teaching for they are those who did not experience the hardships. But the marginal and the lowly Jews, who felt much of the oppression, the high taxes, poverty, and other afflictions brought by the rule of the Roman Empire, are the ones hoping for the coming of the promised one. Therefore they grab every opportunity. They are the target audience as far as the apocalyptic message of Jesus is concerned. This is the essence of Jesus' ministry anchored on another apocalyptic prophecy from Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1) which states, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." Jesus himself, after reading the passage, affirmed in Luke 4:21 by saying that the prophecy is fulfilled in him. Another apocalyptic message Jesus revealed to his closest disciples was the doomsday scenario that is yet to come in the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24, Mark 13). Dubbed as the Olivet prophecy, it depicts what would happen to Jerusalem and the world in the ends of time. It foretold the final events that would unfold prior to his claimed final return and glory. Prophets prior to Jesus' time also described the apocalyptic scenario with the same purpose of encouraging the people to follow the ways of righteousness laid by their forefathers. Major aspect of the apocalyptic teachings, which were not clearly defined, was about the Kingdom of God. Based on our view, this was done on purpose in order not to cause divisions among early converts. Perrin himself admitted the Kingdom of God meant by Jesus teachings was not actually physical kingdom as expected by the Jews. Jesus' statements clearly lead to the idea of the non-physical kingdom. However, the Jews were expecting a kingdom just like in the times of Saul, David, and the Kings. And they are expecting a physical king. Jesus later in his teachings slowly conditioned the mind of the followers towards the idea of non-physical kingdom with a lot of parables like the parable of the sower, the mustard seed, the leaven, and others. The idea of a physical kingdom was even carried over even after the death and the resurrection of Jesus and until the present. It is the major reward promised in the book of Revelation, an apocalyptic book. Again, we consider those apocalyptic messages as the best motivating factor for the faithful to follow Jesus' teachings and to walk in the path of righteousness. No wonder, the strategy worked as more people are in need of consolation than those who are consoled by their wealth and power. The strategy worked because only few are seeking and using the extremes of rationality to disprove his ideas. Many do not waste time scrutinizing facts because they are busy with satisfying their basic needs. It worked because a lot of people are in need of the triumph, which they couldn't find it conventional ways. By following Jesus' teaching they see light behind their hopelessness; they see consolation behind their afflictions. The timeless ideals of the teachings of Christ The above sections of the Bible are only few of the message delivered by Jesus and was preserved through the writings. But this doesn't mean he was a purely apocalyptic teacher. Personal critical evaluation would lead us to think that the attachment of the apocalyptic messages to his entire teaching is one strategy to push his ideals that would make a difference. Caird (19-22) had referred to this ultimate goal of Jesus as the national eschatology of the New Testament. A time when people heed the call of God, "for nothing but the thoroughgoing change of heart which Jesus demanded and made possible could in the end keep the nation out of disastrous conflict with Rome,"(Caird 22) or other nations for that matter in the future. The setting up of the apocalyptic message served as a goal, a vision for every Christian follower, but the ingredients to achieving the eschatology described by Caird, requires the unique messages and teachings of Jesus Christ. He taught virtues that can last for generations that if followed would possibly lead to lasting peace. The apocalyptic touch is like a light for a plant covered with something leaving just a small hole. The plant reaches to catch the light guiding its stems towards the source. If a Christian want to achieve the glory in the end of time, he needs to follow the ideals of Jesus, his virtues, and his teachings. The very center of the messages of Christ revolves around two commandments which the parables and sermons are geared towards accepting this challenges. It is divided into loving God and loving others, a unification of the Mosaic laws. The sermon in the mount trickles down to the bottom line of loving God and loving the neighbors. The motive is for man to honor the rule of the Supreme Being who has control of every aspects of humanity. If this line of thinking is truly accepted by man, then it is easy for him to have fellowship with his neighbors. Once respect and brotherhood is established and strengthened, everyone is open to share every material things he has even his life. The early Christian communities in Jerusalem and even in other parts of the world who really practiced what Jesus preached manifested these things. These was the very purpose, the real vision of what Jesus want a Christian community to be. Conclusion The teachings of Jesus containing apocalyptic message serving as the beacon, lead his followers to accept his ideals and establish a community that fear a Supreme Creator, and respect each other. In the words of Prof. Craig L. Blomberg, Professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary, "Conversion to and faith in Jesus first of all meant trusting him as the messianic prophet and believing his word about the coming restoration of the kingdom to Israel. Personal repentance is important only as a prerequisite to national repentance" . The society of peace and unity would be the end result of those who strictly accept his teaching. This is the ultimate Kingdom of God that Jesus' has promised his followers. People would no longer dream for a physical kingdom if they live in abundance of love, understanding, and endless fellowship with others and with God. This is where Jesus' apocalypse leads his believers. The challenge was, only few realized it. References Blomberg, Craig L. "A New Vision for Israel: The Teachings of Jesus in National Context." Denver Seminary. April 1999. 13 February 2008. Branscomb, Harvie The Teachings of Jesus: A Textbook for College and Individual Use. Cokesbury Press, 1931. 384pgs. Caird, G.B. "Jesus And The Jewish Nation. The Ethel M. Wood Lecture delivered before the University of London on 9 March 1965" The Athlone Press, 1965. pp.22. !# February 2008 Case, Shirley Jackson. The Historicity of Jesus: A Criticism of the Contention That Jesus Never Lived, a Statement of the Evidence for His Existence, an Estimate of His Relation to Christianity. University of Chicago Press, 1928. 306pgs. Perrin, Norman. "Rediscovering the Teaching of Jesus." Religion-online.com. 11 February 2008. Read More