Lesson 17: The Public Ministry and Passion of Christ

Jul 30, 2024

Lesson 17: The Public Ministry and Passion of Christ

Introduction

  • PDFs of lectures available on Patreon and the Orthodox Ethos website. Support to access them early.
  • Content being translated and will eventually be published as a book.

Place of Habitation

  • Isaiah's Prophecy: Isaiah 9:1-2 and Matthew 4:15-16 predict Galilee as Messiah's habitation.
  • Messianic Light: Galilee as the place where the great light of Messiah would shine.
  • Fulfilled Prophecy: Jesus reads Isaiah's prophecy in His synagogue (Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19), declaring its fulfillment.

Nature of Ministry

  • Characteristics:
    • Silent and compassionate work.
    • Addressed to all nations.
    • Healing and liberating from sin (Isaiah 42:1-4, Matthew 12:18-21).

Christ's Public Ministry

  • Teaching and Healing: Synagogues, fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in Galilee.
  • Confirmation of Messiah: Jesus's works (healing, preaching) testify to His Messiahship (Matthew 11:4-5, Isaiah 35:5).

John the Baptist

  • Forerunner Prophesied: Malachi's prophecy about the messenger preparing the way (Malachi 3:1, Matthew 11:10).
  • Role: Baptism of repentance preparing people for the gospel (Isaiah 40:3).

Disobedience Foretold

  • Prophecies of Deafness: Israel's rejection of the Messiah and spiritual blindness (Isaiah 6:9-10, Matthew 13:14-15).
  • Hypocrisy Criticized: Honor with lips, heart far from God (Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:6-7).
  • Wrong Interpretations: Jews and many non-Orthodox misinterpret scriptures without the patristic consensus.

Triumphal Entry and Passion

  • Entry into Jerusalem: Zechariah 9:9's prophecy of Jesus's entry on a donkey (Matthew 21:5).
  • Evidence Through Children: Praise by children during entry; fulfilling Psalm 8:2 (Matthew 21:15-16).
  • Cleansing the Temple: Fulfillment of Psalm 69:9.

Rejected Cornerstone

  • Prophetic Reference: Psalm 118:22 about Jesus being rejected by religious leaders but becoming the cornerstone (Matthew 21:42).
  • Unity of Jews and Gentiles: Christ as the cornerstone uniting both groups in the Church.

Suffering Servant

  • Isaiah's Prophecy: Detailed portrayal of the Messiah's sufferings (Isaiah 53:2-3, 4-12).
  • Messiah's Purpose: Suffering for the sins of others, offering salvation (Isaiah 53:3-5, 10-12).

Divine Insights and Theosis

  • Patristic Understanding: Saints and prophets have unique insights due to their closeness to God.
  • Likeness to Christ: Theosis (divinization) is the ultimate goal and purpose of Christ's incarnation.

Summarizing the Public Ministry and Passion

  • Focus on the Cross: Crucifixion as central to Christian life, echoing Christ's sacrifice.
  • Future Prophecies: Upcoming discussions on the betrayal by Judas, the false witnesses, crucifixion, and resurrection, all prophesied in the Old Testament.

Conclusion

  • Upcoming topics include further prophecies and their fulfillment in Christ's passion and resurrection. Next session in two weeks.

Q&A Session

  • Emphasized the need for prayer, fasting, engaging with palaite traditions, and deep catechism to maintain the zeal and stability in Orthodoxy.
  • Addressed practical questions about orthodox practices, challenges for inquirers and converts, and further teachings on Orthodoxy.