Theological Dictionary of the New Testament - Book Report/Review Example

Exegesis of Luke 9:18-36 Literary Criticism Before this passage, Jesus gave his disciples the ity and power to cure diseases and cast demons. He then instructed his disciples to spread the gospel of the lord and heal people around the world. He further told them on how to conduct himself or herself during this holy mission. In particular, Jesus told his disciples not to carry anything but should expect to be welcomed in villages they visited. However, he told them to shake off the dust from their feet in the event that they are not welcomed as a testimony. He further instructed the disciples to accept anyone who cast demons using his name as one of them. In addition, the miracle of feeding five thousand men with only five loaves of bread and two fish took place. Surprisingly, a massive twelve baskets remained after everybody has fed to satisfaction. During the context, Jesus together with his three disciples namely, Peter, James, and John went to pray at the mountain. The three disciples of Jesus witnessed transfiguration as they were praying at the mountain. At that event, Jesus was seen together with the Moses and prophet Elijah while the other three disciples were very sleepy. It transpired that the glory of God almighty was with them, and the three were discussing the looming salvation of the world. After this passage, Jesus cast away demons that possessed a boy after beseeched by his father that was following the day after transfiguration. After which the disciples were debating among themselves who is the greatest only to be told by Jesus that the most humble individual remains the greatest in Gods kingdom, giving he gave an example of a child. The literary form in this passage is allegory and it is used in several places in the bible such as the last supper, parable of the rich and the fool, the prodigal son, together with the parable of the pounds. In all of these cases, allegory has been used to provide an insight of the true nature of God together with the mission of Jesus Christ to Christians. In addition, these allegories enable the Bible readers to establish a better understanding of the texts and paragraphs read. The meaning itself is the Christ mission to Christians, from all of these allegories; the Bible reader will clearly understand that the transfiguration was a way to prepare the Christ to his ultimate goal of saving the world. Structure In this passage, parallelism has been used as a form of structural pattern. This pattern is evident in the verse twenty-four that says “for whoever will save his life shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” In this case, parallelism has been used to portray the true nature of what it takes an individual to access the lord’s kingdom. Here two lives are compared; that is life here on earth and promised life in heaven. Consequently, it is evident that it is not possible to access both successfully since if an individual gains one, the other one is lost. However, from the verse, Jesus advises us that better we follow his ways and secure the everlasting life in heaven (Buttrick 91). Therefore, parallelism is employed in this passage to explain to the followers of Christ that they should not be afraid to lose the earthly possessions and its ways since there is a better life awaiting them in heaven. Another parallelism is seen in chapter 22 stating the disciples of his sufferings, rejected, killed, and rise again in the third day. Christ said that from that death lives will be saved, at this point, his disciples could not comprehend how death can be a source of life and salvation. However, from this parallelism, disciples, and Christians a whole were able to understand that Jesus had power over death. Furthermore, he was the final sacrifice that must be undertaken for the sake of saving the world (Kittel & Friedrich 115). Redaction criticism This passage has not undergone any editorial process, therefore, is the original version. However, the original version has only been translated in different languages, which is believed that meanings of some words have been lost. In contrast, the original meaning is maintained in this passage. 2. Theological Analysis i) The relationship with God From this passage, the relationship between God and people is revealed. In particular, four relationships are revealed that is love, fearfulness, dependency, and selfishness. To start with, the relationship of love is evident during transfiguration, during the event Jesus was seen together with both Moses and Prophet Elijah. It transpired that the occasion was to prepare Jesus to his ultimate mission of saving the world (Plummer & Alfred 93). The fact that the mission encompassed death to Christ who is also the beloved son of God for the sake of saving the world and the people in it is a clear testimony of God’s love. Additionally, within the same chapter there was healing of the boy that was possessed by an unclean spirit is another testimony of care and love as a relationship between God and His people. This is because in the Christian context, Jesus Christ though being the Son of God, is also God himself. Therefore, whatever he did was because of the will of God. In the other hand, another relationship that is evident in this passage is selfishness. This relationship is very clear in the verse 24 where Jesus instruct his disciple that it is not possible to have both heaven and earth. However, Jesus advises his followers to choose heaven because the world is there to pass, but heaven is there to last forever. Consequently, this reveals that God is a selfish and does not wish to share the affection of the people (Buttrick 91). Furthermore, another relationship revealed by this passage is fearfulness. Fearfulness is portrayed at the time of the transfiguration where the three disciples were filled with fear when they felt the glory of God around them. This is clear that in the presence of the God, people are always fearful. This relationship is crucial in that it enable the Christians to be submissive to God without questioning. In addition, it improves the faith of the Christians by following the commandments of God without questioning (Kingsbury & Jack 454). Moreover, there is a dependency relationship between God and his people. It is clear that Christians are very dependent on God, and they believe that in His presence, everything is possible. This relationship is evident in verse 36 of the same chapter where Jesus and his three disciples were met with a group of people after coming from the mountain. One of the people in the crowd beseeched Jesus to heal his son from the unclean spirit that possessed him. This is clear that the man had faith that only Jesus would free his son from the unclean spirits, therefore, showing high level of dependency that people have in God (Kittel & Friedrich 116). ii) Questions addressed by the passage in the community it was originally written. The original community to which this passage was written to was the Christians of Judea. The main objective of writing this book to the Christians of Judea was to strengthen their faith and understand the nature and mission of Jesus Christ. Therefore, in this passage there are a number of questions that were addressed such as who is Jesus Christ? What was the transfiguration and its significance? What does it take an individual to be a Christian? Was it possible for an individual to inherit both heaven and earth? To start with, within the passage, Jesus asked his followers in identifying him. He received different answers such as the John the Baptist, Prophet Elijah, and the old prophet that have arisen back to life. However, among his disciples, Peter is the only one who said the truth about him by saying that He is Christ of God. By doing this, the passage wanted to clarify to the Christians in Judea who Jesus was and his mission. Therefore, the Christians in Judea were able to know that Jesus was Christ of God and his mission was to save the world (Harrill & Albert 54). Secondly, the passage addressed the question of what it takes an individual to follow Christ (discipleship). In chapter 23 of the passage, Jesus instructed his disciples that for an individual to follow him, he or she must deny him the worldly things, carry his cross, and follow him. Therefore, the Christians of Judea were able to understand what it takes an individual to be a follower of Christ. Carrying the cross simply means denying oneself the comfort of the world, being obedient to the demands of God, being faithful, and doing the commands of the God (Kingsbury & Jack 464). The passage also addressed the question of what transpired during the transfiguration. In this regards, the Christians of the Judea were able to know that Jesus appeared together with the Moses and Elijah the prophet. In addition, people of Judea were also able to ascertain that indeed Jesus was the son of God following the God’s voice that was heard by the disciples proclaiming that “this is my son whom I love listen to him.” Consequently, the people of Judea were able to dispel the fear that Jesus might have been a false prophet (Kittel & Friedrich 118). In the same note, transfiguration enabled the Christians in Judea to understand the actual mission of the Christ Jesus. This is because it has been revealed that the three discussed the suffering of Christ during salvation of the world. Therefore, the Christians in Judea were able to understand that Jesus came to the world to save it and all the people in it by suffering, dying and in the third day resurrecting (Harrill & Albert 56). Through transfiguration, the people of Judea were able to understand God’s love for them. This is because they were able to understand that God provided the son to sacrify himself for others sake in order to save them (Kittel & Friedrich 119). In conclusion, this passage is one of the passages in the gospel books that are crucial in making the Christians understand the nature and mission of Christ to Christians. In particular, through the passage, Christians get to understand that Jesus Christ mission was to save the world from the bondage of sins. However, the just nature of God is also evident in this passage because He gives Christians the freedom of whether to carry the cross and follow him or not. Moreover, the teachings of discipleship are also evident in this passage, which is one of the requirements of every staunch Christian. Works Cited Buttrick, G., ed. Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible. 4 volumes plus supplementary vol. New York: Abingdon (1962): 89-122. Harrill, James Albert. Slaves in the New Testament: Literary, Social, and Moral Dimensions. Philadelphia: Fortress (2006): 45-59 Kittel and Friedrich, eds. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. 10 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (1964): 112-148. Kingsbury, Jack. "The Structure of Luke’s Gospel and His Concept of Salvation History." Catholic Biblical Quarterly 35 (1973): 451-474. Plummer, Alfred. A critical and exegetical commentary on the Gospel according to S. Luke. 5th ed. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark (2007): 89-97. Read More