Religious studies

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
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Based on Mark 8:29, please address each question below with complete sentences and clear, specific explanations.
1. Select one teaching of Jesus from the following choices: Matthew 5:21-24; Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 6:19-24; Matthew 7:15-23; Luke 15:1-32; John 13:1-17 and 34-35; or John 15:1-11. Answer the following questions with in-text citations from a commentary in the topic study materials. The commentary used should be included on a reference page at the end of this document.
a. What was Jesus’s point in the teaching?
Your answer in 75-100 words:

b. How might someone from an atheist or pantheistic worldview see the concepts of this passage differently?
Your answer in 75-100 words:

c. What does this teaching reveal about Jesus?
Your answer in 75-100 words:

2. Select one of the following passages in which Jesus makes statements about his nature and purpose: Matthew 9:1-8; Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 7:18-23; John 5:16-18; John 10:25-38; John 14:5-11. Answer the following with in-text citations from a commentary in the topic study materials. The commentary used should be included on a reference page at the end of this document.
a. What is Jesus saying about his nature and the purpose of his ministry? What is the significance of this claim?
Your answer in 250-300 words:

3. How would you personally answer Jesus’s question, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29). Describe your own beliefs about Jesus.
Your answer in 250-300 words:

Sample reference:
Keener, C. S. (2011). IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Matthew. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic. Retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/ivp-nt/toc/

References:

ANSWER

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

Jesus’s point in the teaching

Jesus does not proclaim who He is. He puts it in a question form. The Socratic method of teaching employs questions to help students brainstorm the possibilities. Jesus uses this method to allow His disciples to consider what they have heard about Jesus, consider their experience with Him, and judge for themselves (Austin, 2020). Matthew 5:21-24 is Jesus acting in His role as the Messiah teaching about the law. He is also giving advice on the importance of maintaining peaceful relationships and the consequences of anger (Brown, 2020). He teaches with the authority of Christ when He tells His disciples to prioritize reconciliation before giving to the altar.

The Concept to non-believers

Atheists might disregard Peter’s answer that Jesus is the Christ. They don’t believe that he is the anointed one who was prophesied by Isaiah. But they might adhere to the ethic system that Jesus is teaching in Matthew 5:21-24. The lesson on the importance of reconciliation and having a peaceful relationship with others is universal. It does not require one to believe in Jesus as the Christ to see the relevance of His teachings. Anger has negative consequences, including death.

About Jesus

Jesus was wise and humble. He does not impose Himself as the Christ or the Messiah (Austin, 2020). When He poses the question to the disciples, He expects them to think and judge for themselves. Were His deeds enough to convince them that He is the Messiah? This is up to the disciples. Although Jesus respected the traditional law, there are things he regarded as equally important if not more important like harmony, peace, and reconciliation.

References

Austin, P. (2020). Mark 8 Commentary. https://www.preceptaustin.org/mark-8-commentary

Brown, G. (2020). Maintaining Peaceful Relationships. Matthew 5:21-26. Bible.org. https://bible.org/seriespage/12-maintaining-peaceful-relationships-matthew-521-26