The Person and Titles of Jesus

Background

At the time of Jesus, the (1)___________________ Jewish people looked forward to the coming of the Messiah.

This person would be a great (2)_________________ warrior and king, like David. He would rescue the Jews from all their (3)_________________ enemies. He would bring a new Kingdom, where (4)______________ God would be the ruler.

‘Messiah’ means ‘(5)___________________ Anointed One’. A king is anointed to begin his (6)___________________ reign. The Greek word for Messiah is Christos which gives us the word (7)___________________ Christ.

The Jews believed that before the Messiah came, the prophet (8)___________________ Elijah would come to prepare things for him.

The first Christians believed Jesus to be the (9)___________________ Messiah, (the Christ). The Christians believed that (10)___________________ John the Baptist was the new Elijah who was also expected.

The Son of God

To say that someone is the ‘Son of’ someone or something means that they have some (11)___________________ resemblance to the person or thing.

    · The first meaning of ‘Son of God’, is that Jesus is (12)___________________ chosen by God, or close to God. It is a way of saying how special Jesus is to Mark and the first Christians.

    · Son of God is a way that non-Jewish Christians (13)___________________ explained the importance of Jesus. They did not understand the idea of a Messiah.

    · ‘Son of God’ reminds Christians that Jesus very often called God his (14)___________________ ‘Father’. It is especially suitable as a title for Jesus.

‘Son of God’ in Mark

In Mark’s Gospel, the title ‘Son of God’ is not used very often. When it is used, it is especially important.

    · Jesus is called Son of God in the very first verse of Mark’s (15)___________________ Gospel;

    · Jesus is called Son of God at the beginning of his ministry, when he is (16)___________________ baptised;

    · Jesus is called Son of God at the (17)___________________ Transfiguration;

    · Jesus is called Son of God immediately after his death by the Roman (18)___________________ Centurion.

     

Read and Reorder

Read the following stories in your Bibles. Now put these into the right order.

The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11)
  1. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.
  1. In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
  1. He was baptized by John in the Jordan.
  1. A voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

The Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9:2-8)
  1. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"
  • Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, just Jesus.
  • Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain. They were alone there.
  • Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
  • Peter didn’t know what to say, for they were terrified.
  • Jesus’ clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them.
  • Jesus was transfigured in front of them,
  • Elijah and Moses appeared. They were talking with Jesus.

Read and Reorder

Read the following stories in your Bibles. Now put these into the right order.

The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11)

The Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9:2-8)

 

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