Infancy Narratives

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Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 INFANCY NARRATIVES

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Infancy Narratives. Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. Matthew’s Theology. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus’ birth is the climax of God’s long history with Israel Jesus epitomizes all of Israel’s history Epitomize = to be an perfect example, or ideal representation, of something - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Infancy Narratives

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Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2INFANCY NARRATIVES

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• Matthew emphasizes that Jesus’ birth is the climax of God’s long history with Israel

• Jesus epitomizes all of Israel’s history• Epitomize = to be an perfect example, or ideal representation, of something

• Many Old Testament references are used• To show that Jesus fulfills the expectations of the Jewish Messiah

MATTHEW’S THEOLOGY

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Mt 1 : 18-25• Joseph is instructed to name Jesus• Why?

• By law, it makes Joseph the legal father of Jesus• Significance?

• It affirms the Davidic descent of Jesus

ANNUNCIATION TO JOSEPH

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Matthew’s agenda is reinforced in this story1. “star from the east”This recalls the oracle of David in Numbers 24

2. Magi find Jesus “in a house”This implies that Joseph and Mary were residents of Bethlehem, not Nazareth-David lived in Bethlehem

3. Gold, Frankincense, and MyrrhUsed at the burial of a king-One of the Jewish requirements was that the Messiah might be a kingAlso represents King, Priest, and Prophet-Messiah was believed to be either a king, high priest, or a prophet

STORY OF THE MAGI

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Matthew’s birth narrative constantly references figures from Israel’s history (ex. – Moses, Joseph, and, of course, David)1. Flight to EgyptRecalls Joseph’s escape from his brothers into Egypt2. Return “out of Egypt” recalls Moses leading Israel back into the Promised Land3. Massacre of the Innocents- This is when Herod ordered all male children under 2 to

be killed- It parallels Pharaoh’s killing of the newborn Hebrew

males in Exodus

OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES

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Throughout the Gospels (especially Matthew’s Gospel) dozens of OT prophecies are shown to be fulfilled by Jesus- Some examples include:1. Mt. 1 : 22-23 - Immanuel born of a virgin (Isaiah 7)2. Mt. 2 : 5-6 - Coming of shepherd from Bethlehem

(Micah 5)3. Mt. 2 :15 - God’s son called out of Egypt (Hosea 11

: 1-4)4. Mt. 2 : 17-18 - Rachel’s lamentation for her children

(Jeremiah 31)5. Mt. 2 : 23 - One who shall be called a Nazorean

(Judges 13 : 5)

FULFILLMENT PASSAGES

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Jesus is the bringer of peace between Israel and Gentile nations

Luke also shows concern for the poor and lowly

Some features of the birth narrative also reveal Luke’s agenda of showing the Romans that Christianity is not a threat to the Empire (though the majority are found in the Passion Narrative)

LUKE’S THEOLOGY

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Unlike Matthew, Luke rarely uses “fulfillment passages”Instead his narrative echoes episodes from the Old Testament- Ex. : Zechariah and Elizabeth having a child in their old

age…- What OT story does this parallel?- Abraham and Sarah in Genesis

LUKE’S STYLE

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Reveals Luke’s agenda:1. Mary and Joseph travel from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem

Why?

To enroll in the censusSignificance for Luke’s agenda?

It shows a law-oriented Roman audience that Mary and Joseph are law abiding citizens2. Announcement to the Shepherds

Angel uses three titles to refer to Jesus1. Savior – rescue his people2. Christ – Anointed One, successor of David3. Lord – sits at God’s right hand

Thus, Jesus is the Messiah

THE BIRTH

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Luke’s concern for the poor also shows in the birth narrative:1. “swaddling cloths” (also links Jesus to Solomon – Wisdom

of Solomon 7 : 3-6)

also foreshadows his death

2. the placing of the child in a manger A manger was a feeding trough

3. portrays shepherds as first to learn of the birthShepherds were generally viewed as poor and outcast

Luke’s Jesus is clearly to be found among Israel’s lowly.

THE BIRTH

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3 canticles are written into Luke’s Birth Narrative:The Canticles were early Jewish-Christian songs of praise modeled after the psalms(1.) Magnificat (“[My soul] magnifies”) Lk 1 : 46-55-Echoes the “Song of Hannah” in 1 Samuel 2 : 1-10-It also shows concern for the poor, a theme found throughout Luke’s Gospel

(2.) Benedictus (“Blessed”) Lk 1 : 68-79- The Benedictus expresses both an early Jewish christology and Luke’s belief that Jesus is the bringer of peace between Israel and the Gentile nations.

(3.) Nunc Dimittis (“Now you dismiss”) Lk 2 : 29-32-Simeon’s first prophecy weaves several themes from Isaiah into a declaration that the child is important for the whole world.

CANTICLES

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As with previous scenes echoing OT stories, the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple recalls Samuel and his presentation to the priest Eli by his mother Hannah.

This scene, then, asserts that the child is destined to fulfill God’s promise that all the nations will benefit from the light that will shine from Israel.

--This passage also shows that the Holy Family observed Jewish Law

Sacrificing two turtle doves shows Jesus’ family was poor

PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE

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Significant because:(1.) It shows Christ is aware of His identity and mission(2.) It shows Christ is comfortable in the Temple (his Father’s house) and well educated in Jewish law(3.) It shows Christ’s obedience

FINDING IN THE TEMPLE