Who Was Jesus?

Who Was Jesus?


A Humanities Essay That Teaches The Study of The Bible As A Historical Document

    I felt a very positive impression of who Jesus was after finishing the Book
of Matthew.   I had a new image of someone who was a down-to-earth, caring
individual.   I did not find quotes of Jesus that claimed being superior to the
common man, of whom sinners could not look upon (a view that most people had of
their Gods for centuries before). Matthew 12:49-50, Jesus announces to
multitudes that they are his mother and brothers.   In that way, he puts himself
at an equal level to the people, rather than claiming to be a God above them.
This reflects the whole attitude of the book.
    Chapters 6-7 of Matthew quote Jesus as he is presenting rules to live by to
the multitudes.   To me, all of these sounded like hints to leading a happy life
for yourself.   Jesus reflects a God that does not expect virgins or animals to
be sacrificed in His name; but, a God that is pleased by followers that love not
only God, but each other also.   These seem like simple, logical rules to live by.
But, they reflected a time in history where that kind of love for one another
was hard to find because of the hardships inflicted upon the people.
    I find some conflict in Jesus' actions, however.   Jesus never (as far as I
know) says to ignore to commandments of God in the Hebrew Scriptures; however,
constantly breaks the Sabbath (Matt 12:13 and others), and gives VERY flimsy and
unconvincing explanations for it.   I am not sure what his message was in those
actions.   Perhaps he didn't care?
    In general, Matthew was a good, entertaining story to read, with a very
dramatic ending, and great character development (a little sarcastic humor
here)!
    I was very surprised to find much of the Book of Mark a repeat of what was
written in Matthew, but with a little less detail, and a few stories omitted.
    Jesus goes a little overboard on the parables!   Most of the parables needed
to be... [continues]

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