Saturday, November 14, 2009

When did Jesus and his family confirm in their own minds that he is the Christ?

I'm a little torn on the story, what I am asking is...


The star of bethlehem , and the magii had this figured when christ was born in a manger, and they brought him gifts...





Then , was there a falling out period where Jesus had to be a child, and were Joseph and Mary aware that he was this during his childhood.





Was there a period where John the baptist and Jesus discussed him being the savior? Was Jesus ever unsure of his father's message and plan for him?





Thank you.

When did Jesus and his family confirm in their own minds that he is the Christ?
While Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus was the promised Messiah, they didn't know exactly what that meant. It is rather obvious that most envisioned the Messiah as a mighty conquering king...throwing off Roman %26amp; foreign oppression with military might. So, while they knew Jesus was the Messiah they misunderstood what the Messiah was going to be.





As Jesus began his public ministry, many were soon attracted to his teachings and followed Him. There were also many who hoped that he would gather other Jewish leaders in a revolt against Rome. When Jesus attacked the religious hypocrisy of the leaders of the Church, it soon became evident that he was not interested in building an army for revolt. How could He be a "conquering king", if the even Jewish leaders wouldn't recognize His authority?





Jesus claimed that he was the long promised Messiah. People, naturally began to question that. Was he born in a palace? Was he a warrior? They questioned how it could be a person from such simple, normal, and humble means: "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? (Matthew 13:55). And Mark 6:3: "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, [ Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph] Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.





The things Jesus said were extremely radical and at times difficult to understand. He claimed to be God's Son. He claimed to have existed before Abraham. He claimed that he was "the bread of life". So, His hearers were confronted with a choice: either Jesus is exactly who He claims to be, or He's "lost touch with reality". Because Jesus was not meeting the expectations of what they thought the Messiah ought to be, many rejected Him.





We're told that this doubt (of Jesus' Messiahship) extended even to his siblings; "For not even His brothers were believing in Him" (John 7:5)





While John the Baptist knew that he was "paving the way for the one to come", he was likely confused as well. Why was Jesus being rejected by the leader? Had God's plan failed? Had He misunderstood who Jesus was? In Matthew 11 it says "Now when John in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent a message by his disciples and asked Him, Are You the One Who was to come, or should we keep on expecting a different one?"





Did John also have a certain expectation of the Messiah? Was he anticipating a forceful warrior, who would rescue the Jews from the bondage of foreign powers? Jesus, spoke of love, forgiveness, compassion...he didn't fight. What was going on?





It would seem to be rather obvious that most had become extremely disillusioned when Jesus was crucified. The account suggests that only a small group of his followers were present; His mother, the disciple John, and a few other women. The fact that Jesus asked John to care for His mother would seem to indicate that His own siblings were not present. The closest followers were disillusioned and scared. I would imagine that Mary was "dazed" as well. How could it end like this? How could this be God's plan? Had His plan been thwarted by the actions of man? Yes, most now doubted and had abandoned Him. Many were fearful that they would be hunted down and meet a similar fate.





But Christ's sacrificial death was part of God's plan. The Messiah did not come to conquer Rome, He came to conquer the power of Sin and death. What changed his follower from a state of disillusionment and fear? They saw Jesus destroy the power of death by rising from the dead. Fear and doubt were now replaced by a bold understanding. An unshakable faith...





Jesus rose from the dead and was seen by many...including His own family. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 the Apostle Paul wrote: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born."





Jesus appeared to His brother James, and James' doubt turned to faith. Acts 1:14 tells us that after the resurrection there were doubts no more over who Jesus was; "These (the apostles) all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers."





Jesus' brother James became the head of the Church in Jerusalem. And his brother Jude wrote the epistle that bears His name (Jude 1:1 "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ."





Jesus knew that the Messiah had to suffer, die, and be resurrected. His followers didn't understand until after the fact...





Followup Note on the Magi Question: Jesus was said to have been visited by the Magi shortly after his birth (though likely not at the stable as is often depicted). The Magi saw Jesus as a "future great king"...and honored him as such. King Herod (who other sources confirm was a ruthless tyrant), was threatened by any potential challenges to his throne. When the Magi did not report back to King Herod, he sent "hit men" to kill the children (those that coincided with Jesus' age) in the small town of Bethlehem. However, Jesus had already been taken away by His parents to the land of Egypt. After a couple years, Herod died and the family moved to Nazareth. Thus, Herod was no longer seeking the "threat to his throne". Jesus, Mary, %26amp; Joseph simply blended into the community until the time of Jesus' ministry (some 30 years later)....
Reply:That would be fine. You can email me at indypackfan7@yahoo.com if you would like... Report It

Reply:There are alot of things that are not recorded for us in the Bible. But we can rest assured that all we need to know has been.





From what the gospels tell us, the family (brothers + sisters) did not believe until after he rose from the dead.


The mother, she must have known, but only could keep what she knew in her heart, not fully understanding what He was going to do.


I know it is a safe bet that Jesus knew all along His own plan.
Reply:Mary was quite convinced from the beginning, and as nearly as we can tell never really wavered. Joseph might have been a true believer, and have died before the Messiah was killed. Josephs older children evidently did not accept YAHOSHUA's being the Messiah, for we see the Messiah entrusting Mary to His disciple John while on the Cross. Scripture seems to tell us that John the Baptist, and the Messiah had never met (though they were cousins) prior to the Baptism. Exodus is real clear (23:13) that we should not be using bad words (names of heathen gods) for the Almighty and the Messiah.
Reply:In Luke 1, starting at 39, the pregnant Mary goes on a trip to another town to visit Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth immediately recognizes what is happening with Mary and said, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." So it's clear that they family knew.





Before Mary became pregnant, Gabriel told Mary what was about to happen. Joseph had a dream about the nature of Mary's unborn child.





John the Baptist knew of Jesus' existence and talked about Him, but there's nothing written that says they met before the baptism.
Reply:Mary knew at the moment of conception, Joseph knew when God told him in a dream.
Reply:Going by scripture..


The family of Jesus and Jesus Himself always knew and accepted that he was the Christ





John the baptist did not know until the baptism
Reply:Jesus' parents already knew that Jesus Christ was the saviour/son of God. the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was going to have a child, that she were to name him Jesus, and that he was to be known as the son of God. no doubt Mary would have told her husband Joseph, and they would have looked after him like he was special because of it. Jesus would never have been unsure about the father's message and plan for him because he already knew in his heart and through prayer that thy will be done. Jesus knew that God sent him down here to save it, and Jesus had accomplished all what he could do. pity people turned against him and created massacres and wars
Reply:After the resurrection when they saw him alive again.
Reply:When he was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3,13-17).


Verse 17 makes the confirmation you are looking for.


"At the same time a voice from heaven was heard, 'This is my Son, the Beloved, he is my Chosen One."


My personal opinion is Jesus and the Blessed Mother knew Christ was the Messiah before this event. Mary especially knew this because that was what the angel told her during the Annunciation (Luke 1m26-38; Matthew 1,18-25).


Peace and every blessing!
Reply:Jesus knew when God sent him. He was sent for a reason and he new it. He lived and died for that reason. Mary was told by angels she would give birth to the Christ child so she knew it. Jesus was never unsure of his purpose. He could have stopped them killing him but he knew it was his father's purpose for him. He did as he was commanded. Read the bible, all the answers are in there. Start with the Gospels, Mathew, Mark, Luke and John.


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