JESUS CHRIST:
GOD’S REVELATION TO
THE WORLD
CHAPTER 7
JESUS’ TEACHING
Blessed John XXIII
“What counts the most in life is blessed
Jesus Christ, his holy Church, his Gospel,
truth and goodness.”
Jesus the Teacher
Jesus returned from the desert and
began to teach in the synagogues.
“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your
hearing.” (Lk 4:21)
Jesus is claiming that in him Isaiah’s
prophecy about the Messiah is taking
place—he is the Good News!
How Jesus Taught
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Jesus was genuine.
Jesus was available.
Jesus spoke Aramaic—a
poetic language—using
hyperbole and parallel
statements.
Jesus taught with
authority using “Amen” to
introduce and strengthen
his words.
Jesus was a brilliant
debater.
Jesus challenges his
listeners.
The Regions Where
Jesus Taught
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– North central region
inhabited by those who
descended from foreigners
– Worshipped at Mount
Gerazim
Galilee
– Fertile land in the north
watered by the Jordan
River and the Sea of Galilee
– Farmers, shepherds and
fishermen were
prosperous.
– Spoke with a distinctive
Aramaic accent
Samaria
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Judea
– Dry, barren land in the
south inhabited by those
who returned from the
Babylonian captivity
– Jerusalem is its principal
city.
Jesus Preached the
Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God is the active
presence of God’s love, justice, truth
and Salvation working in the world!
Ultimately, it is Christ’s
work of redemption that
brings about the Kingdom!
What Are
Parables?
parabole: “placing two
things side by side in order
to compare them”
Jesus told simple,
vivid picture stories
drawn from
everyday life.
His stories reveal truth
in an interesting way
that was easy to
remember.
Parables forced his
listeners to look at
reality in a fresh way.
The Meaning of Parables
God’s Kingdom Is for All
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Jesus is the Promised
One, the Messiah.
The growth of the
Kingdom is steady, and
sure, but spreads
mysteriously.
Despite all obstacles it
will flourish.
Sinners are Welcome
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Jesus preached
forgiveness and mercy.
God’s love is beyond
what we can
comprehend.
God’s mercy is something
to rejoice about.
The Meaning of Parables
Salvation
Jesus came to assure us
that Salvation is taking
place.
 Salvation is for everyone.
 Jesus not only announced
Salvation, he brought it
in.
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Belief and Repentance
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Repent (Greek metanoia):
“change one’s mind,” a
radical way of thinking
and doing things
God’s justice is breaking
into our world.
Repentance and faith go
hand in hand.
The Meaning of Parables
Preparation for God’s
Judgment
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“Whatever you did for
one of these least
brothers of mine, you did
for me.”
Because God is love; we,
as Jesus’ disciples, must
also be loving.
Rejoice
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Even amidst apparent
setbacks in working for
God’s Kingdom and
Salvation, we should be
happy, joyful people.
Jesus announces that
good triumphs over evil.
The time to choose Jesus
is now!
Jesus’ Sermon
on the Mount
An occasion when Jesus
went up on a
mountainside to speak
to a great crowd of
followers
Brings to mind Moses,
who delivered the Law
from Mount Sinai
Luke contains the
Sermon on the Plain.
The Beatitudes—Our Roadmap to Happiness
Jesus’ blessings reveal how to fulfill our
desire for happiness and teach us the final
end to which God calls us: the Kingdom
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor
in spirit, for theirs is
the kingdom of
Heaven.
Blessed are they who
mourn, for they will
be comforted.
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the
meek, for they will
inherit the land.
Blessed are they who
hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for
they will be satisfied.
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the
merciful, for they will
be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean
of heart, for they will
see God.
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the
peacemakers, for
they will be called
children of God.
Blessed are they who
are persecuted for
the sake of
righteousness, for
theirs is the kingdom
of Heaven.
Breaking Open the Lord’s Prayer
“The Gospel in miniature”
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
Jesus invites us to call God “Abba.”
We end the Our Father with “Amen.”
Salt of the Earth and
Light of the World
If we put on the
Beatitudes, we will make
a difference in the world.
Committed disciples
flavor the world with
Christ’s love.
Our good works should
be like a beacon of light
that leads others to God.
New Standard of Law
Jesus came to fulfill all the
promises of the Old Covenant
Mere external observance of the Law is not enough.
We should not even be angry with our neighbor.
We should not even lust after another.
We should be truthful in everything.
We should love even our enemy and not seek revenge.
Have a Right Attitude
Jesus instructed his
followers to examine
their attitudes when
they perform virtuous
works.
God loves us and has
already rewarded us.
Why should we be
motivated by what
others think?
Requirements for
Christian Living
Jesus teaches the
Golden Rule: do to
others whatever you
would have them do to
you.
It is not enough to
mouth the word of God;
we must put the words
into action.
The Sermon on the Mount is the charter
statement of our Christian life!