Jesus Christ

Asking the question “was Jesus a philosopher?” seems problematic. Some scholars argue that if Jesus was in fact one of the three parts of God, he is not a philosopher because philosophy is a search for truth and Jesus, having that divinity, is all-knowing. 

But putting that aside, Jesus of Nazareth, believed by Christians to be the Son of God, dying on the cross and resurrecting after three days, after all was a Jew. There is no direct works from Jesus as a writer; the primary source for his life and teachings is through the Bible through accounts from his apostles. Through the Bible’s depiction of Jesus, he is found to be a wise teacher. Born around 4 BC and dying around 30 AD according to historians, he had a short lived life. The books of the Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) were compiled long after his death. Through the Bible’s depiction of Jesus, he is found to be a wise teacher. Christ’s use of many parables provide metaphorical sound for his teachings and allowed the masses he taught to figuratively understand.

LOVE

Jesus taught lessons on ethics, teaching the importance of love in society. So important that he commands us to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). When posed with the question “which is the great commandment in the Law (The Ten Commandments)?”, Jesus replied that the first is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and the second being “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-39). Jesus believed, perhaps knew, that love is essential to the well-being of society, relationships, and the universe itself. The depth of that love, however, should be to everyone, even those who wrong us intentionally: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44). 

FORGIVENESS

An unnatural response to human nature, Jesus saw that forgiveness, in combination with love, was needed for the Christian walk. Forgiveness and love not found in ourselves or our material possessions, but in God. Without God, his foundation of good and love, we wouldn’t be able to understand love. Love and obedience only through forgiveness of God, Jesus believed, was essential to having a joyful life: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11).

SELF-CONTROL

The main struggle of loving God wholeheartedly is the forces that try to prevent that relationship. Jesus’ teachings stress utmost self-control, part of the “Fruits of the Spirit”, in order to follow him. "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me,” (Luke 9:23) Christ said to his disciples. Deny yourself and keeping your thoughts captive, only thinking about honorable thoughts that build each other up, not down, in the foundation of love. Jesus also makes violent comments about if a body part causes you to sin, you should cut it off because it is better than burning in hell. (Matthew 5:29-30).

Questions:

1.      What year, according to historians, was Jesus Christ born?

2.      How many days did it take for Jesus to resurrect from the dead according to the Bible?

3.      Jesus used many what to provide to help teach?

4.      According to Christ, what are the two most important commandments?

5.      Self-control is part of the “_______ of the ______”.

Discussion questions:

-        What does loving your neighbor as yourself potentially mean to you?

-        In what ways do you try to control yourself? Do you consciously think about ways of restraining yourself while you are “in the moment” or outside of it?

-        Paul, the next big teacher in the New Testament, states for us to stay on “thought that is honorable”. What thought is honorable to you?

-        What is the difference between joy and happiness? What are ways to achieve this joy?