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The nature of Jesus from the titles used in Mark

Messiah/ChristMessiah/ChristMessiah (Hebrew); Christ (Greek) - means ‘Anointed One’.

All the kings of Israel were anointed by God’s representative.

The Jews believed that God would send a new anointed one, who would bring in God’s kingdom.

The Messiah would be a descendent of David who would have power over sin, evil spirits and nature and would start God’s kingdom.

Messiah/ChristMessiah/Christ Mark’s Gospel shows that Jesus has Mark’s Gospel shows that Jesus has

power over sin, evil spirits and power over sin, evil spirits and nature.nature.

He is recognised as the Messiah by He is recognised as the Messiah by evil spirits, the people he cured and evil spirits, the people he cured and by his disciples.by his disciples.

Jesus re-interpreted the title Messiah, Jesus re-interpreted the title Messiah, teaching that he must suffer, be teaching that he must suffer, be killed and rise three days later.killed and rise three days later.

Messiah for ChristiansMessiah for Christians

In the Old Testament Christians see God In the Old Testament Christians see God making himself known to the human race, making himself known to the human race, preparing them for the time when the preparing them for the time when the Messiah would come.Messiah would come.

Jesus saw himself as being foretold in the Jesus saw himself as being foretold in the Old Testament.Old Testament.

Christians believe that Jesus is the Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah, prophesied in the Old Testament.Messiah, prophesied in the Old Testament.

Son of ManSon of ManSome think Jesus used it rather than Messiah or Son of God to avoid causing trouble with the authorities.

Others think Jesus used it to show how he understood his role as God’s Messiah. (8:31; 9:31)

In the Old Testament, Daniel (7:13-14), the Son of Man represents God’s saints who have suffered for their faith and who will bring in God’s kingdom at the end of the world.

This is the main title used by Jesus when speaking about himself.

Jesus uses the title to show that the Son of Man Has authority from God to forgive sins and

overrule the Sabbath law Must suffer and die at the hands of sinful

men to free humans from the power of sin Will rise from the dead and so give Will rise from the dead and so give

Christians the hope of eternal lifeChristians the hope of eternal life Will be seen in all his glory and power at the Will be seen in all his glory and power at the

end of the world.end of the world.

Son of ManSon of Man

Son of Man for ChristiansSon of Man for Christians

Christians don’t often use this title Christians don’t often use this title when speaking about Jesus.when speaking about Jesus.

Christians believe:Christians believe: Jesus has God’s authorityJesus has God’s authority Jesus can forgive sinsJesus can forgive sins Jesus’ death means salvation for Jesus’ death means salvation for

everyoneeveryone Jesus is with the Father in heavenJesus is with the Father in heaven Jesus will come back to earth in glory.Jesus will come back to earth in glory.

Son of GodSon of God

For some Jews, this title predicted the coming of the Messiah. Prophets in the Old Testament refer to Israel as God’s son. (10:47; 14:61)

Other Jews used it to describe any very holy Jew or Jewish miracle-worker.

For the Gentiles it showed a divine nature. (5:7: 15:39)

Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God (1:1)God (1:1)

They believe that Jesus has always They believe that Jesus has always existed, together with the Father and the existed, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit.Holy Spirit.

Jesus was born as a human being to make Jesus was born as a human being to make God known to the human race.God known to the human race.

Christians believe that through the Christians believe that through the resurrection Jesus, the Son of God, is resurrection Jesus, the Son of God, is present with them in their everyday lives.present with them in their everyday lives.

Son of God For ChristiansSon of God For Christians