Life of Jesus, Sacrifice, Crucifixion, Ascension and Pentecost

History 235Fall, 2010

Life of JesusCore Christian PrinciplesJesus death by sacrifice. Atonement for sins.

Substitutionary sacrifice. Sacrifices traditional way to please gods in

most religionsSacrifices among the Israelites. To expiate sins

and receive forgiveness, animals.Also, to respond to God (see image of Abraham

sacrificing Isaac, next page) as a test of faith.

Abraham Prepares to Sacrifice his Son Isaac (Caravaggio, late 16th century)

The sacrifice of JesusJesus following the command of God.

Obedience central to Christian doctrine.Fulfilling prophecy (Isaih 52:13-53:12)Suffering generally conferred power, in

keeping with widespread Jewish belief.

Jesus Crucified (from the Passion of Christ by Mel Gibson)

Jesus as:

MessiahSuffering ServantRabbiInaugurator of

Kingdom of GodExpiatory

Sacrifice for the sins of mankind (the Second Adam)

Founder of the Christian Church

Resurrection. From the martyrdom of the crucifixion to the triumph

over death. Absolutely central in the history of the Christian Church

Numerous other events associated with the passion.The Last Supper (one of two principal sacraments; the

other is baptism, although Catholic Church still celebrates seven; we’ll get to Martin Luther in a few days)

Women central in the discovery of the empty tomb, and given a place in ancient hierarchy not usually conferred on women.

Establishing the Church during Jesus forty days of presence among apostles and other followers before the Ascencion.

After the ResurrectionJesus made a number of appearances.Here, we have to separate the role of

historian from the role of believer (although they, obviously, can be one in the same).

Michael Cahill wrote: “To set them down as a hoax would do a significant disservice to the teaching that surrounds them” (Cahill, 220). That helps, some. He continues, “As in the case of Jesus’ miracles, we have to imagine that most sublime moral sentiments ever expressed had somehow been drafted in the service of

After the Resurrection (cont.)

of a cheap fraud. To hypothesize that the disiciples were the victims of mass hysteria would be almost problematic: Jesus appeared to groups, certainly, but first of all to individuals (who, by definition, cannot be accused of mass hysteria); and the disciples of Jesus, simple though many of them certainly were, were not notable so much for their fanciful imaginations, as for their plodding literalness—hardly the ideal ground for hysteria of any sort. It seems wisest to say that the disciples believed that they had encountered the risen Jesus, that he was looking much better than when they had last seen him…and, despite the ease with which he appeared and disappeared, he was tangible.” (pp,. 220-221)

After the ResurrectionGrant, on the other hand, more critical,

scientific, rationale. Asks for example, “who took had taken the body,” paraphrasing the puzzle guards. Jews thought Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body to perpetuate a sham resurrection.

What of those who said they saw the risen Jesus? Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians [1 Corinthians 15:3-8] was the first to write about the appearances of Jesus (composed ten years before Mark, the first Gospel)

Appearances of JesusJesus on the road to Emmaus

(18the century American)

Appearances of Jesus

About 1502-1504, Giovanni de Battista, “The Incredulity of St. Thomas”

Ascension of Jesus

  Forty days after his Resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven by his own power in the presence of his disciples…..

Pentecost“If the disciples and the few followers were

astonished by the Resurrection, they were hardly ready for the transformation that would take place on the day of Pentecost, ten days after Jesus Ascension. The story is told by Luke in Acts, although the coming of the Holy Spirit is foretold in John, when the risen Jesus breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” In Luke, he merely tells them in his final instruction to “remain in the city till you are clothed with power on high.” In Acts, however, it is told in detail. See Acts 2, 1-40.

Pentecost