Jesus Film - Relationship with God - Essay Example

Jesus film Questions: Module 2- Part Jesus Film Worksheet How themes such as "sin," "sacrifice", and "relationship with God" apply to the story of Jesus and their significance to a Christian worldview. "Sin" is a major theme in the film. It is the reason Jesus came to the world, to liberate human beings from sin. The act of liberation had to come at a price. This is a "sacrifice" aspect of the film, where Jesus, being the son of God, left the glory in heaven in order to come down to save human kind. Due to sin, mans "relationship with God" had been strained, and it had to take an act of sacrifice by Jesus to restore the relationship. What do the events of Jesus’ birth reveal about who Jesus is? Jesus’ birth in the humblest of places reveals his ordinary human nature, introducing him to all human races. The world (Jews) has expected a King by the world’s standards, and this would not have served his purpose well. After His baptism and temptation, Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and reads from the book of Isaiah. Several other times, references are made to other books of the Bible, especially as prophecy that Jesus fulfilled. Jesus: Fact or Fiction? is based on the Gospel of Luke. What is the significance of the Bible for understanding who Jesus is? Referring Jesus to the other books of the bible, more so the Old Testament seeks to reveal his divine nature, and purpose of restoring man’s relationship with God. It also helps in demystifying who he was to the Jews who expected a “liberator” of an earthly nature. What do Jesus’ healings of others tell us about who Jesus is? The healing acts of Jesus reveal Jesus as a true liberator of human suffering, both spiritual and physical. He links sin to human suffering. Jesus is thus the liberator of man from sin. What key themes standout as most important from Jesus teaching? The themes that standout most clearly in the teachings of Jesus are forgiveness, love, godliness, and selflessness. Which parable of Jesus is most meaningful in the film? Why? The most-significant parable of Jesus is that of the Prodigal son. This parable refers to the relationship between man and God. From the parable, God can forgive and restore once man realizes his faults, confesses his sins and seeks God again. On multiple occasions, Jesus claims to be able to forgive sins. What is the significance of this claim for who Jesus is? Only God can forgive sin. Therefore, by Jesus claiming to be able to forgive sin signifies his Godly nature. He is God, only in human form. What stands out from the account of Jesus’ death in the film? What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for who Jesus is? Jesus death in the film signifies the consequences of sin as death. He sacrifices himself, dying on behalf of man, and so the price has been paid, and man has been made free. Jesus resurrection reveals his godly nature. He is no longer human as only God has the power over death. Compare the film’s presentation of Jesus to the Gospel of Luke. What aspects of the film did you find surprising? Do you feel the film accurately portrayed Jesus, according to the Gospel of Luke? In comparing the film to the Gospel of Luke, it is surprising that the film has revised, expanded, altered, and fictionalized, in some instances the Gospel of Luke. Even with these modifications, the message about Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke is delivered home. What is the significance of Jesus (who he is and what he did) for a Christian worldview? In other words, why is Jesus important to a Christian worldview? Jesus’ person and deeds are important to a Christian worldview in the sense that he bridges man and God. It is through Him that a man shall see God. Jesus is portrayed as the “friend of man” even in man’s sinful state. He is man’s vindicator before God. From learning about the life of Jesus Christ, what kind of behaviors do you think Christians should exhibit because of their belief in Christ and His example? Christians should live a humble life no matter the privileges they are endowed with. Christians should be forgiving, loving and selfless. Part 2:  - Journal on Historicity and Person of Jesus Jesus person is simple and likable by the pure, destitute and hopeless in the societies who often are discriminated against. Jesus is the second member of the Holy Trinity, and therefore God the son along with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Only God can forgive sins, and this is what Jesus claimed to be capable of. He also was heard referring to God as "my father" in heaven, showing the closeness, and he had with God. He is the link between man and God the father. He promised the thief on the cross that he would be with him that very evening in paradise. Jesus here reiterates the importance of repentance, and his ability to guarantee heaven to man. Humility portrayed and advocated by Jesus, the love of all devoid of discrimination, forgiveness of wrong-doers, and selflessness that was the bedrock of his mission to earth have all been pushed to the peripheries of the modern Christianity. Christianity today is dominated by greed, corruption, hate, vengeance, and discrimination on race, tribe, social status, and culture. Religion (Christianity) in the modern world has become corporate, with interests in profits as opposed to forwarding Christian values as advocated by Jesus. Christian leaders are counted among the wealthiest citizens of the world during their congregation among the poorest lots of humanity. This wide gap between the leaders and their congregation explains the elusive selflessness that Jesus envisioned for the church in his days on earth. This puts in doubt the level of seriousness of the ever-increasing Christian population given the deteriorating Christian values of which they are custodians. Read More