JESUS

Identify the different images and titles of Jesus presented by the writers of the New Testament?
Which are more meaningful in the Indian context? Why?
To Matthew Christ is the King of the Jews. Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah,
the Son of God, Whose fate is the destiny of the Son of Man. As the premier Teacher,
Jesus reveals God’s will in his public ministry, but his teaching and preaching are
largely ignored or rejected. For Matthew, Jesus, the revealer of God’s will is not
only a teacher but also a preacher of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus
also acts as the inaugurator of the kingdom. To Luke Christ is the Friend of All. Luke
applies a rich variety of titles to Jesus that highlights his ministry and personhood: Jesus
is Savior (2:11), the Son of David (18:38), and King (19:38). He is the Son of the
Father (1:35; 9:35) but also of Adam (3:38). He is compared to Jonah of old and to
Solomon (11:29-32). As the Son of Man, he not only suffers and is exalted but also
ministers (5:24) and shares the lot of those who are marginalized and outcasts (9:58).
Another frequent title is teacher (7:40; 22:11). Above all, Jesus reaches out to and is a
friend of all kinds of people: Women, the poor, the sick, the despised, and others who
are in danger of being ignored by the religious and political establishment. Jesus as the
Son of Man introduced as early as 5:24, and the title appears frequently in Luke, as it
does in Mark and Matthew. Luke highlights the role of the Son of Man in his mission to
save the lost (19:10) and to suffer and die for sinners (chap.24). This theme and Jesus’
status as Lord become the focus to dispute later in the Gospel (20:41-44; 22:67-71). To
John Jesus is the Word of Life. From the first chapter on, John begins to compile a list
of titles, images, and characterizations of Jesus: the Lamb of God who takes away the
sins of the World (1:29, 36), Rabbi (1:38), Messiah (1:41), “the one Moses wrote about
in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of
Joseph” (1:45), Son of God and King of Israel (1:49). To Paul depiction of Jesus is as
follows Christ/Messiah/ Lord/ Son of God/ Last Adam and Savior. To Indian context
the following Christological titles would be more appealing. Jesus as a master
teacher, a friend of all kinds of people, son of man to suffer. India a land of
tradition and culture is highly bounded by superstitions, irrational thoughts and
Jesus as a master teacher could act as a social, political, religious liberator who
could act as a catalyst. Jesus taking human form is also a redeemer of the human.
Since man is prey to sin creates a chasm between God and Man and as a result
man brings a rapture between God and Himself. Jesus as a savior could be a
forgiver of all our sins and guiding us all the possible way.