WORD OF GOD:

JESUS CHRIST
 “We cannot deduce anything
about Jesus from what we think
of God; we must now deduce
everything about God from
what we know about Jesus.”

Albert Nolan, Jesus Before Christianity, p.166

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed

under CC BY-SA

3rd century painting in a

Roman catacomb depicting
Jesus as a shepherd
 “In the beginning was the Word; and
the Word was with God; and the Word
was God… and the Word became
flesh, and made his dwelling among
us.”
John 1:1,14
The passage you are referring to is from the Gospel of John (John 1:1, 14) in the New
Testament. It carries profound theological significance in Christianity, particularly regarding
the nature of Jesus Christ.

1. **"In the beginning was the Word"**: This phrase indicates that the Word (Logos in
Greek) existed before all creation. It emphasizes the pre-existence of Christ, suggesting that
He was present with God from the very start of time.

2. **"and the Word was with God"**: This part highlights the close relationship between the
Word and God. It suggests a distinct yet intimate connection, indicating that the Word is not
just an abstract concept but a person who exists in communion with God.

3. **"and the Word was God"**: This statement affirms the divinity of the Word, identifying
it directly with God. It emphasizes that Jesus is fully divine, sharing the same essence as
God the Father.

4. **"and the Word became flesh"**: This is a central tenet of the Christian faith known as
the Incarnation. It means that God took on human form in the person of Jesus Christ. This
act signifies God's willingness to enter into human history and experience life as humans
do.
◦5. **"and made his dwelling among us"**: This phrase indicates
that Jesus lived among people, sharing in their experiences,
struggles, and joys. It underscores the idea that God is not distant
but present and accessible to humanity.

◦In summary, this passage reveals the Christian belief in the divinity
of Jesus Christ, His pre-existence, and His incarnation as a human
being. It emphasizes that through Jesus, God has made Himself
known and has entered into a personal relationship with humanity.

◦For a deeper understanding of the Incarnation and its significance,

you may refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, particularly
paragraphs 461-463, which discuss the mystery of the Incarnation
and the nature of Christ.
 “Dear young people, the happiness
you are seeking, the happiness you
have a right to enjoy has a name and
a face: it is Jesus of Nazareth. Only he
gives the fullness of life to humanity.”
Pope Benedict XVI,
20th World Youth
Day, Cologne,
Germany
A. The Many Faces of Jesus
Today
Albert Nolan, O.P., Jesus Before Christianity, p. 5
“Many millions throughout the ages have venerated the
name of Jesus, but few have understood him and fewer
still have tried to put into practice what he wanted to see
done. His words have been twisted and turned to mean
everything, anything, and nothing. His name has been
used and abused to justify crimes, to frighten children, and
to inspire men and women to heroic foolishness. Jesus had
been more frequently honored and worshipped for what he
did not mean than for what he did mean. The supreme
irony is that sore of the things he opposed most strongly in
the world of his time were resurrected, preached, and
spread more widely throughout the world – his name.”
Pantocrator The word “Pantocrator” is usually
translated as “the Almighty” or “the all
powerful”. It was the Septuagint
translation for the divine title “El
Shaddai”. Early Christians used this title
on Jesus as a profession of faith on his
divinity.
Today, the term “Pantocrator” usually
denotes an icon of Christ which became
popular in the fourth century, when
Christianity acquired a status of “religio
licita” and eventually became Rome’s
state religion. The Pantocrator is an
image of Christ wearing imperial
Apse Mosaic of “The Pantocrator” at the garments, usually seated on a throne.
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls of This image is undoubtedly a reflection of
Rome
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA the Roman political ideology.
Philosopher and Shepherd
Philosopher and Shepherd
Spe Salvi (Saved By Hope)
Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
November 30, 2007, NO. 6
The figure of Christ is interpreted on ancient sarcophagi
principally by two images: the philosopher and the shepherd.
Philosophy at that time was not generally seen as a difficult
academic discipline, as it is today. Rather, the philosopher
was someone who knew how to teach the essential art: the
art of being authentically human—the art of living and dying.
To be sure, it had long since been realized that many of the
people who went around pretending to be philosophers,
teachers of life, were just charlatans who made money
through their words, while having nothing to say about real
life.
Philosopher and Shepherd
Spe Salvi (Saved By Hope)
Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
November 30, 2007, NO. 6
All the more, then, the true philosopher who really did know how to point out
the path of life was highly sought after. Towards the end of the third century,
on the sarcophagus of a child in Rome, we find for the first time, in the
context of the resurrection of Lazarus, the figure of Christ as the true
philosopher, holding the Gospel in one hand and the philosopher's travelling
staff in the other. With his staff, he conquers death; the Gospel brings the
truth that itinerant philosophers had searched for in vain. In this image,
which then became a common feature of sarcophagus art for a long time, we
see clearly what both educated and simple people found in Christ: he tells us
who man truly is and what a man must do in order to be truly human. He
shows us the way, and this way is the truth. He himself is both the way and
the truth, and therefore he is also the life which all of us are seeking. He also
shows us the way beyond death; only someone able to do this is a true
teacher of life. The same thing becomes visible in the image of the shepherd.
Philosopher and Shepherd
Spe Salvi (Saved By Hope)
Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
November 30, 2007, NO. 6
As in the representation of the philosopher, so too through the figure of the
shepherd the early Church could identify with existing models of Roman art.
There the shepherd was generally an expression of the dream of a tranquil and
simple life, for which the people, amid the confusion of the big cities, felt a
certain longing. Now the image was read as part of a new scenario which gave
it a deeper content: “The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want ... Even though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, because you
are with me ...” (Ps 23 [22]:1, 4). The true shepherd is one who knows even
the path that passes through the valley of death; one who walks with me even
on the path of final solitude, where no one can accompany me, guiding me
through: he himself has walked this path, he has descended into the kingdom
of death, he has conquered death, and he has returned to accompany us now
and to give us the certainty that, together with him, we can find a way
through. The realization that there is One who even in death accompanies me,
and with his “rod and his staff comforts me”, so that “I fear no evil” (cf. Ps 23
[22]:4)—this was the new “hope” that arose over the life of believers.
Jesus in Film
Robert Powell plays Jesus in the 1977 Franco Godspell released in 1977 was a film rendition of a
Zeferelli film Jesus of Nazareth. The movie is a 1970 musical which was set to 70’s pop-rock music
very “Catholic” depiction of Jesus Christ, having the parables of Jesus. Victor Garber portrayed Jesus
been produced at the request of Pope Paul VI. as a clown In a superman costume.

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licensed under CC BY-SA
Jesus in Film
Jesus Christ Superstar, the 1973 film adaptation of an The Last Temptation of Christ is a 1988 film based on the
Andrew Lloyd Webber rock-opera, was a controversial 1951 Nikos Kazantzakis novel which regularly appeared on the
portrayal of Jesus from the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Superstar list of banned books. The story is about Jesus’ doubts about his
is often criticized for Judas’ offensive remarks on Jesus. Messiahship as well as the pressures it brought on him when
Focusing entirely on Christ’s humanity, his passion and he depicted to accept it. It is an attempt to answer the
death, neither the musical nor the film has a resurrection question: “What could have happened if he decided not to die
scene. on the cross?” In the movie, Jesus, played by Willem Dafoe is
hypothetically married twice.

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Jesus in Film
Youthful and handsome Jeffrey Hunter portrays The Jesus Film, produced in 1979 as a
Jesus in King of Kings, a 1961 epic movie about
material for evangelism, claims to be an
the life of Christ. Though it is regarded as one of
the best cinematic renditions of the life of Christ,
accurate portrayal of Jesus based on Luke’s
this film was a box office failure. It is often Gospel. According to New York Times, this
criticized for having a Jesus that is “too movie holds the record for being the most-
whitebread”. watched motion picture of all time.
Jesus in Film The Chosen is a television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ,
The Passion of the Christ, released 2004, created, directed and co-written by American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. It
was a portrayal of the last hours of Jesus. Jim
Caviezel stars as Jesus in this graphically
is the first multi-season series about the life of Christ, and season one
violent depiction of his passion produced by was the highest crowd-funded TV series or film project of all time. The
Mel Gibson, a traditional Catholic. Aside from series' creators stated that they had hoped to distinguish the new series
the Gospels, Gibson based his storyline in the from previous portrayals of Jesus by crafting a multi-season, episode-
writings of Catholic mystics Bl. Anne Catherine based story. The series portrays Jesus "through the eyes of those who met
Emmerich and Ven. Mary of Agreda. him".
Accordingly, Christians in different parts of the
world have looked to Jesus in different ways: as
model of humanity, as liberator from economic
and political oppression (especially in Latin
America and the Caribbean), as champion
against racial prejudice and discrimination
(especially in South Africa), as advocate of
active non-violence, as friend, as brother, as
confidante.
Marinelli 1999:133
Sto. Niño de Cebu

The nation-wide devotion to the child

Jesus began in Cebu, when Ferdinand
Magellan gave a wooden image of
Christ child to the Raja’s wife, Juana,
as a baptismal gift. Having become
delicate because of its antiquity, the
original image is kept in the
Augustinian Convent in Cebu. A
replica encased in glass is venerated
today at the Basilica de Santo Niño.

The Philippine Church has been

given permission by the Holy See to
celebrate the third Sunday of January
as the feast of the Santo Niño.
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The Black Nazarene of Quiapo

Every January 9, hundreds of

thousands of devotees flock
to Quiapo, Manila to
participate in the 7-8 hour
procession of the miraculous
image of the Black Nazarene.
This life-size image of Christ
carrying the cross was carved
in Mexico and was brought to
the Philippines by the
Recoletos. The complexion of
the image has darkened in
time, hence it came to be
popularly known as the “Black
Nazarene”. Devotees claim
that their devotion to the
Nazareno has brought them
healing and prosperity.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
 Image Strengths Weaknesses
The • The image of the boy Jesus affirms • The image of
Santo the reality of the incarnation. It the Santo Niño
Niño teaches us in a visual manner that tends to
God really became human, and by confine the
making himself part of a human appreciation of
family, he has become more Jesus to his
accessible for all of us. childhood.
• Likewise, the Santo Niño shows us • It may also give
God’s identification with the “little the impression
ones”. As a child, God became little, of a
weak for our sakes. Therefore, when “domesticated”
we protect and defend the little God, a
ones of society, we are upholding “Catholic Doll”.
the image of God in them.
• Finally, the Santo Niño reveals to us
the condition for being part of God’s
Kingdom, that is, to be childlike.
 Image Strengths Weaknesses
The • The image of the suffering Christ • The image of
Nazareno tells us of God’s compassion for the suffering
humanity. In Jesus, the infinite Christ may
God did not only become one of leave out the
us, he also bore our pains. So resurrection
great was his compassion for us event.
that he found us worth dying for. • The image may
• When we look at the image of inspire passive
the suffering and dead Christ, suffering rather
we learn that sometimes the than active
innocent would have to suffer struggle
for the sake of the guilty. against unjust
• Jesus, the Nazareno, inspires us affliction.
to bear our sufferings patiently
and meritoriously.
These popular Filipino images of Jesus are good,
albeit incomplete. Historically, something more
happened between the childhood and the
crucifixion of Jesus. Something even more
important happened after his death. There are
what we ought to discover or rediscover, in
order to more fully understand Jesus, the Word
of God.
(Bacani 1998:74)
Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth

Pope Benedict XVI published last May

2007 his first book as pope entitled:
Jesus of Nazareth. According to the
Holy Father, this book is a product of
his lifelong contemplation on the
person of Jesus. Using his theological
brilliance and expertise in Sacred
Scripture, the pope attempts to
“save” the image of Jesus, with the
use of the canonical Gospels, from
recent popular depictions distorted
by erroneous ideologies. The pope
invites his readers to enter into a
friendship with Jesus, for it is only in
so-doing that one gets to know the
Jesus of the Gospels. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
B. Salvation In Jesus
B. Salvation In Jesus
“Our Spirit is set in one direction, the only
direction for our intellect, will and heart is –
towards Christ, our Redeemer, towards Christ
the redeemer of man. We wish to look towards
him – because there is salvation in no one else
but him, the Son of God.” Pope John Paul
II, Redemptor Hominis, 7
B. Salvation In Jesus
1. Salvation as the Mission of Jesus

“save his people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21)

“Jesus” (Gk. Iesous; Hb. Yeshua) = “God saves”

B. Salvation In Jesus
1. Salvation as the Mission of Jesus

Salvation = “that great gift from God which is

liberation from all that oppress man, but which is
above all liberation from sin and from evil, within
the joy of knowing God and being known by Him, of
seeing Him and entrusting oneself to Him.”
Pope Paul VI, Evangelium Nuntiandi
Did he really have to become man and die?

This artwork on one of the doors of the Basilica of Santa

There have been three theories formulated Sabina (the Dominican headquarters in Rome) is said to be
in an attempt to answer this question: the oldest depiction of the crucifixion in wood sculpture.

1. Vicarious
Satisfaction (St.
Anselm)
2. Penal Substitution
(The Reformers)
3. Ransom Theory
(Origen)
B. Salvation In Jesus
1. Salvation as the Mission of Jesus

Salvation is twofold:
◦Freedom from sin and evil
◦Freedom for grace and love, and for
relationship with God and others
B. Salvation In Jesus
1. Salvation as the Mission of Jesus
The one mission of salvation was accomplished by
Christ, when he assumed three roles:
a. Christ, the Priest
b. Christ, the Prophet
c. Christ, the King
1. Salvation as the Mission of Jesus
Unlikely Gifts for a Young Boy Adoration of the Magi
14th century fresco by Giotto
The infancy narrative found in Matthew’s
Gospel tells us of wise men who brought
Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
(Mat. 2:11) These gifts ought to be
understood as symbols of Christ himself: gold
represents his royalty; frankincense
symbolizes his priesthood; myrrh symbolizes
his martyrdom as a prophet. Hence, when we
celebrate Mass on the feast of the Epiphany,
the priest offers the bread and wine to the
Father with these words: “Lord, accept the
offering of your Church, not gold,
frankincense, and myrrh, but the sacrifice
and food they symbolize: Jesus Christ who is
Lord for ever and ever.” This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under
CC BY-SA-NC
B. Salvation In Jesus
2. Characteristics of Salvation
a. Salvation is a life-changing encounter with Christ
b. Salvation is for the whole person
c. Salvation begins in the here and the now
d. Salvation is a process
e. Salvation extends to all peoples
f. Salvation is completed in eternity with God
B. Salvation In Jesus
3. Salvation History
“The history of salvation is the salvation in
history. Christian are those members of
humanity conscious of the salvation taking
place in it.”
(Gonzales-Carvajal Santabarbara 2005:138)
B. Salvation In Jesus
3. Salvation History
a. The Unfolding of God’s Plan
Salvation history is “about our communion with
God, revealed in Scripture and mediated by
Christ, which takes place in clear, progressive,
historical stages, culminating in the
establishment of the Kingdom of God.”
(JC von Hofmann)
B. Salvation In Jesus
3. Salvation History
Three stages:
◦The time before Christ
◦The time of Christ
◦The time of the Church
Alpha and Omega
This wall painting of
Christ in fourth century
catacomb of Comodilla is
flanked by the letter
Alpha and Omega,
signifying that all of
history begins with Christ,
ends in Christ, and is
centered in Christ.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
B. Salvation In Jesus
3. Salvation History
b. Characteristics of Salvation History
1. Christocentric
2. Biblical
3. Inculturated
4. Systematic
B. Salvation In Jesus
3. Salvation History
b. Characteristics of Salvation History
1. Christocentric
The whole history of salvation has for its central
figure the person of Jesus Christ.
B. Salvation In Jesus
3. Salvation History
b. Characteristics of Salvation History
2. Biblical
The Bible is the record of salvation history.
B. Salvation In Jesus
3. Salvation History
b. Characteristics of Salvation History
3. Inculturated
Salvation history is a critical look on how the
different elements within the context of humanity
are actually avenues of God’s revelation, and at
the same time, potent means of expressing
revelation.
B. Salvation In Jesus
3. Salvation History
b. Characteristics of Salvation History
4. Systematic
God’s communication with humanity as
manifested in salvation history, follows a
system that accommodates humankind’s
capacity to respond in faith.
 Prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo
You are Christ, my Holy Father, my Tender God, my Great King,
my Good Shepherd, my Only Master, my Best Helper, my Most Beautiful
and my Beloved, my Living Bread, my Priest Forever, my Leader to my
Country, my True Light, my Holy Sweetness, my Straight Way, my
Excellent Wisdom, my Pure Simplicity, my Peaceful Harmony, my Entire
Protection, my Good Portion, my Everlasting Salvation.
Christ Jesus, Sweet Lord, why have I ever loved, why in my
whole life have I ever desired anything except You, Jesus my God? Where
was I when I was not in spirit with You? Now, from this time forth, do you,
all my desires, grow hot, and flow out upon the Lord Jesus: run . . . you
have been tardy until now; hasten where you are going; seek Whom you
are seeking. O, Jesus may he who loves You not be an anathema; may he
who loves You not be filled with bitterness.
O, Sweet Jesus, may every good feeling that is fitted for Your praise, love
You, delight in You, adore You! God of my heart, and my
Portion, Christ Jesus, may my heart faint away in spirit, and may You be
my Life within me! May the live coal of Your Love grow hot within
my spirit and break forth into a perfect fire; may it burn incessantly on
the altar of my heart; may it glow in my innermost being; may it blaze in
hidden recesses of my soul; and in the days of my consummation may I
be found consummated with You! Amen.
contemporary society and culture.

In your response, analyze how you

interpret the identity and message
of Jesus in light of unique
experiences, challenges, and
cultural contexts.

How do these 'many faces' of Jesus

reflect the universal aspects of His
teachings while also highlighting