1. The document provides geographical context for Jesus' life, describing the provinces of Galilee, Samaria, Judea, Idumea, Decapolis, and Perea in Roman-controlled Palestine.
2. It then summarizes key events from Jesus' infancy according to the biblical narratives, including his circumcision and naming, presentation in the temple, and discussion with religious teachers as a boy.
3. The document raises issues of modern migration and displacement, drawing parallels to those displaced by conflict in Mindanao and the ongoing migration crisis in Europe as millions flee war and instability in the Middle East and North Africa.
1. The document provides geographical context for Jesus' life, describing the provinces of Galilee, Samaria, Judea, Idumea, Decapolis, and Perea in Roman-controlled Palestine.
2. It then summarizes key events from Jesus' infancy according to the biblical narratives, including his circumcision and naming, presentation in the temple, and discussion with religious teachers as a boy.
3. The document raises issues of modern migration and displacement, drawing parallels to those displaced by conflict in Mindanao and the ongoing migration crisis in Europe as millions flee war and instability in the Middle East and North Africa.
1. The document provides geographical context for Jesus' life, describing the provinces of Galilee, Samaria, Judea, Idumea, Decapolis, and Perea in Roman-controlled Palestine.
2. It then summarizes key events from Jesus' infancy according to the biblical narratives, including his circumcision and naming, presentation in the temple, and discussion with religious teachers as a boy.
3. The document raises issues of modern migration and displacement, drawing parallels to those displaced by conflict in Mindanao and the ongoing migration crisis in Europe as millions flee war and instability in the Middle East and North Africa.
1. The document provides geographical context for Jesus' life, describing the provinces of Galilee, Samaria, Judea, Idumea, Decapolis, and Perea in Roman-controlled Palestine.
2. It then summarizes key events from Jesus' infancy according to the biblical narratives, including his circumcision and naming, presentation in the temple, and discussion with religious teachers as a boy.
3. The document raises issues of modern migration and displacement, drawing parallels to those displaced by conflict in Mindanao and the ongoing migration crisis in Europe as millions flee war and instability in the Middle East and North Africa.
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JESUS CHRIST
GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING 1. Mount Gerizim – Samaritans recognized the
Palestine place as the sole legitimate place for sacrificial 200 years before the birth of Jesus, the worship Greeks, through its great emperor, Province of Judea Alexander, conquered Palestine. Religious & Political Capital of Rome After the death of Alexander the great, the Major religious festivals and national events Roman empire followed and making were held in this province Palestine as their strategic area for defense Sanhedrin and occupying Roman officials & and expansion. their allies had their seats of power in Judea Holy Land Province of Judea OT “Land of Philistines” 1. Jerusalem – captured by King’s David Located on northeastern part of Egypt, and from the Jebusites and handed as a gift south of ancient Syria. for their king; also known as the city of Became a locus, and witness of complex David historical interactions, at times conflicting 2. Bethlehem – “birthplace of King David” ones, among various cultures, and the races & the site Messiah’s birth (Micah 5:2) in the past 3. Mount of Olives – Jesus spoke of the Province of Galilee destruction of the temple; Parousia and Province of Samaria the signs of the coming of the Son of Province of Judea Man on Judgement Day Province of Idumea 4. Bethany – hometown of Mary, Martha, Province of Decapolis and Lazarus Province of Perea 5. Jericho – walled city siege by Joshua in the O.T. ; town of the chief tax collector Province of Galilee and rich man Zacchaeus in the N.T. Located in the northernmost province of 6. Qumran – place of the Essenes, a group Palestine, Galilee (from the Hebrew term of dedicated to the “Teacher of Ghil-ha-goyim, meaning “Circle of Gentiles”) Righteousness” was the home of the northern tribes of 7. Emmaus – a risen Jesus walked Israel, specifically the tribe of Napthali. together with his two disciples without Being the home province of Jesus , it turned recognizing him out to be locale of many miracles that Jesus 8. Masada – an ancient mountaintop performed, and the center of his public fortress in southeastern Israel that was ministry. taken by the Zealots from the Romans Province of Galilee Province of Idumea,Decapolis and Perea 1. Nazareth – hometown of Jesus; poor Province of Idumea city that is dependent on farming, • Idumeans claimed to be the descendants of carpentry, and tending the flock Esau, Isaac Son, but remained untrue to 2. Sepphoris – wealthy city just an hour’s their identity as the chosen people of God walk away from Nazareth by becoming pagans and neglectful of 3. Bethsaida – “House of Fishing”, miracles Jewish worship and faith of blind man whom Jesus put spittle on • Judeans “forced its Idumean neighbors to his eyes, and the feeding of five accept Judaism and place into exile those thousand men using five loaves and two who rejected conversion.” fishes • “Idumea (Ancient Edom, a traditional 4. Capernaum – hometown of Peter; enemy of Israel) regarded as the “headquarters of Jesus’ Galilean ministry” Province of Decapolis 5. Cana – first miracle of Jesus • The healing of Gadarene demoniacs where 6. Tiberias – simple fishing and agricultural Jesus transferred the demons to a group of area; Herod Antipas transferred his swine, Decapolis, a group of ten government to such place and became independent cities (from the Greek words the capital of Galilee deka, ten and polis, city), was considered to be of less significance to the public ministry Province of Samaria of Jesus. Held with suspicion and discrimination Province of Perea by the Jews due to interracial • The land “across the Jordan” marriages since they were conquered • The place where Jesus attracted a great by the pagan Assyrians crowd following him, exhorted the people to Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke be “like a child” 10:29-37) stirred so much public Plenary Discussion: criticism and negative reactions from Issue of Migration and Displacement the Judeans 1. Bakwit • Captures the condition of the people of 4. Shall be from the root of Jesse (Isaiah Mindanao who were displaced from their 11.10) hometown because of war and conflict. Their 5. Shall be born in Bethlehem, the city of numbers were thousands and their needs David (Micah 5.2-4) were unanswered despite the effort of the 6. Shall suffer to bear our offenses (Isaiah government and the participation of non- 53.5) governmental organizations to help them and 7. Shall give his life as an offering for the to alleviate their suffering. sins of many (Isaiah 53.10) • Seriously, considering the plight of the 8. That through his death, he shall take “Bakwit”, how do you make sense of their away the sins of the many, and win condition? pardon for their offenses (Isaiah 53.12) • What are your thoughts and suggestions that II. Infancy Narratives of Jesus may provide stability and sustainability to Birth of Jesus: A Biblical Parallel Presentation their condition without discounting the II. Infancy Narratives of Jesus complexity of factors and factions at play? 1. Circumcision and Naming of Jesus • If you were in their situation, what could be 2. Presentation in the Temple your most immediate needs and humanitarian 3. Finding Jesus in the Temple appeal? II.1 Circumcision and Naming of Jesus 2. Migration Crisis An ancient Semitic operation in which the • Europe is currently facing the issue on foreskin of eighth – day – old males is migrants who were displaced by wars in removed as a ceremony of initiation in to Syria, Libya, Lebanon, and Iraq, and driven the religion and community of Israel away by the threatening rule of Islamic State Presented as the beginning with Abraham of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) extremist ideology. or Moses With the millions of migrants in desperate Joseph being the righteous man, observed need for a home and a meaningful, peaceful the religious ritual on circumcision because life, member countries are either openly it was “a sign of God’s covenant with refusing to help by tightening and closing Abraham, and that no man could belong to their borders or simply indifferent as if they God’s covenant people without being do not have responsibility for the millions of circumcised” individuals and families in such state of It is a public obedience to God’s prescription misery. When photos of dead bodies of “symbolized as the spiritual circumcision of children and adult lying on the shores of the the heart: the cutting away of the heart’s Mediterranean were released in social media stubborn resistance to the Lord and his and made headlines all over the world, commandments” humanity is condemned to grave guilt and to “When eight days were completed for his a failure of accountability because of circumcision, he was named Jesus, the indifference, inaction, and refusal. But even name given him by the angel before he was with the thousands who suffer and the conceived in the womb” hundreds who die, the crisis continues to Hebrew “Yeshua” [Jesus] means “Yahweh is escalate. salvation” II. 2. Presentation in the Temple • While geographical boundary is imperative in Righteous and devout blind man, Simeon -> each country, how does this contemporary Temple of Jerusalem concept of state boundary and border “Now, Master, you may let your servants go restriction is shaping the way we live today, in peace, for my eyes have seen your particularly to those who are helpless salvation, which you prepared in sight of all migrants? the peoples, a light of revelation to the • How do we define our neighbor beyond Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel.” nationality, race and color? An 84 y/o widow, prophetess Anna who • How do we become more human when we worshipped night and day with fasting and have more or when we have less towards prayer spoke about child to all who were others? awaiting the redemption of Israel II. 3. Finding Jesus in the Temple Pre-Public Ministry of Jesus III. Preparations for Jesus’ Public Ministry I. Prophecies about the Messiah 1. John the Baptist Indications of the Messiah: 2. Meaning of Jesus’ Baptism 1. Must be from the “seed of Abraham” 3. Temptation of Jesus (Gen.12.1-3; 22.18) 4. Calling of the Twelve Apostles 2. Shall be like Moses (Deuteronomy POLITICAL, SOCIAL, and ECONOMIC SETTINGS 18.18) • In the Philippine situation (economic, political, 3. Shall be from the house of David (2 and social), Identify certain perceptions, Samuel 7.8-16) practices, and structures that may have contributed to the increasing poverty, and oppression of our society, and offer concrete 2.1 Herod the Great and his Sons suggestions for consideration, and actions at - Herod the Great an Idumean, was the school, or community level. made ruler of Palestine i. Post-exilic Palestine and Greek Domination - Ideumean resorted to Pagan worship ii. Roman Empire and Palestine unclean and unfaithful people iii. Roman Rule - Herod, to win the favor of the Jews, iv. Fall of Jerusalem forged an apparent stability of peace v. Social Strata of the First Century of and order and restored the great Palestine Temple of Solomon vi. Economic Life of First Century Palestine - Massacre of Innocent I. Post –exilic Palestine and Greek Domination - Herod’s kingdom divided among his Diaspora Greek dispersion sons with “the lesser status of Judah(Judea) ‘ethnarch’, ruler of the people, or Alexander the Great(332-323 BCE) ‘tetrarch’, ruler of one-fourth” invaded lands Archelaus Judea, Idumea, Samaria Hellenism Greek era spread of Greek culture that made lasting influences on the Romans, and the entire ancient Herod Philip or Caesarea Philippi (North Mediterranean world Philip of Galilee, I. 1 Greek Polis Bethsaida Julias (East of - Alternative political system of Galilee) organization in various regions of Herod Antipas Galilee, Perea Palestine 2 Greek Philosophy and Language - Greek intellectual giants like Socrates, Plato, and Artistotle III. Roman Rule philosophers who were seriously Archelaus had his enemies executed; dedicated in finding universal truth in breeding widespread resistance, and civil the area of knowledge, morality, and unrest disposed by the roman Emperor even, religion. Augustus I.3 Latin Language Pontius Pilate prefect & procurator, was - Spreading of Latin, a medium that in command of auxiliary military units, had would eventually be absorbed by full powers of criminal and civil jurisdiction, Christianity as its official language and responsible for the collection of imperial I.4 Greek Religion taxes - Greek gods and goddesses Higher than the Sanhedrin highest Polytheistic Jewish Council - Syrian Greek disrespectful of Jewish Those who will oppose against Romans will be captured, hanged, crucified, and identity and worship executed - “sacked Jerusalem and desecrated the Zealots Jewish freedom fighters beloved Temple and even built the Romans pressed people to great poverty by Greek god Zeus in the most sacred part hiring local tax collectors (publicans) of the Temple” imposed forced census on the people, Maccabean revolt The offended Jewish mandated strict imperial taxation on the people collectively responded in a revolt people, temple tax paid to the Levites against the Syrian Greeks (temple tax collectors) - Named after Jewish leader Judas IV Fall of Jerusalem (70 AD) Maccabeus and recalled in the Book of The Jewish people, spearheaded by the Maccabees) Zealots, revolted against Rome (66-70 AD) II. Roman Empire and Palestine Committed mass suicide as their blatant After the Jews regained after the way of condemning, and refusing Roman Maccabean revolt rule in Palestine Romans entered as a rivalry with the Thus, the chance for liberation disappeared Hasmoneans ( ruled by Maccabean with the defeat of the Zealots but not dynasty 142 BCE) Judaism due to the preservation of the Pompey the great military rival of Julius religious identity of the Pharisees through Caesar, led the Roman legions in Palestine oral tradition as ostensible peacekeepers V. Social Strata of 1st Century Palestine John Hycarnus II appealed to Rome for help Palestine suffered under the hands of the in ousting his younger sibling, Aristobulos II Romans, and its Roman allies, Herod the who made himself both priest and king. Great and his sons After overthrowing Aristobulos , Pompey installed John Hycarnus (63-40 BCE) as high Rich Upper Roman Empire and its Allies priest and ethnarch Class (Roman Procurator, Herod and his family) Main source of livelihood for the settlers near the Sea of Galilee Sanhedrin VI. 3 Trade and Commerce (High Priest, Sadducees, Rich exchange of products and of Pharisees, Scribes) services with its neighbors, and showed diverse monetary currency Marginalized The majority of Jewish Population Roman denarius which was widely used at Lower Class (Women, Children, Sick/Ill that time, the silver tetradrachmas from the People, Public Sinners) Phoenicians city of Tyre, and the coins V. 1 Rich Upper Class: The Privileged Few minted for local rulers - The few elite rules, and controls In the countryside, some made barter, a society while a great number of mutual exchange of goods, as a system of marginalized, poor people suffer economic life increasing poverty, and oppression VI. 4 Artisans and Carpenters V. 2 Marginalized Lower Class: Herod built the temple of Jerusalem, The Suffering Majority fortress of Antonia, and other buildings - During Jesus time, he mingled with dedicated to the Romans and their gods the poor and the marginalized Carefully designed Roman columns and - Jesus’ heart truly belongs to the intricate carvings of the temple and other poor – then and now. building The Suffering Majority - Women and Children - Women were discriminated, and even deprived of their fundamental rights. - be at their homes – serving their husband, and fulfilling household chores and needs - Properties of Father/ Husband - Ketubbah men had the right to divorce a woman, as indicated in a written document Sick and Ill People - Sickness perceived differently at the time of Jesus consequence of sin - Viewed as punished by God for their life or action of sinfulness. Public Sinners: Prostitutes & Publicans Society looked down on them as sinful undeserving of God’s mercy and compassion . Publicans or tax collectors considered as corrupt as ritually unclean VI. Economic Life of First Century Palestine First Century Palestine was dominantly characterized by agriculture and farming. With its rich sea and lake, it also became a haven for fishermen. Commerce and trade also occupied the busy business and religious centers of Palestine. VI. 1 Agriculture and Farming Three main crops grain, olives, and vines Wheat was the staple food; olives was used for a variety of domestic purposes (lamp, cooking); and grapes (vines) was harvested for wine making. Some farmers tilled their own land but others worked as a tenants to their landlord Farming also involved tending the sheep – a profession that was beautifully cited in Jesus’ words as Good Shepherd VI. 2 Fishing