Jesus: The New Way

By N T Wright

Session 4 – March 29, 2006

1. Last week….
1. Review

                                                               i.      Messiah – ‘the anointed one’ – has connotations of royalty. Implied military and political leader.

                                                             ii.      Jewish expectations of the Messiah

1.      Liberation – victory over the pagans

2.      Restoration of the temple

                                                            iii.      Parables and actions of Jesus should be seen and understood as the Jews understood them

1.      Caesar’s coin – was a double sided sword

a.       The Jews holding money condemned themselves

b.      The Jews also understood Jesus was saying Rome should get what it deserved – punishment from God.

2.      Cleansing of the Temple

a.       Symbolized destruction of the Temple ala Jeremiah.

                                                                                                                                       i.      Listen tonight how Jesus, again, turns the understanding of Temple and its function upside down through his new interpretation of Passover through the Lord’s Supper.

2. Watch video
   
   
3. What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper? How does it symbolize Jesus as superseding the Temple?
1. During Passover the people truly became one with Israel as the people God led out of Egypt.
2. Israel was to be liberated through suffering (as the prophets had foretold); but the suffering would be his own.
3. The temple had been the place where Jews expected to receive forgiveness and redemption. Jesus makes clear through his teaching and actions (healings) that he is to real Temple.
   
   
4. What does Wright think of Pilate? Why did Pilate want to let Jesus go?
1. Unscrupulous, calculating, unsympathetic.
   
   
5. Did the Jews kill Jesus?
   
   
6. Who was the real source of ‘dark power’ that Jesus sought to defeat?
   
   
7. In what way does the cross symbolize victory?
1. It had been the ultimate sign of a conquered people.
2. Now it was the symbol of the victory of God. This victory wasn’t won by man’s means of war and conquest but by God’s means of Love and Peace.
3. Jesus IS Israel – He accepts Isaiah’s prophecy upon himself. By ‘becoming’ becoming Israel he can accept its punishment himself, and thereby purify the People of God.