8. Jesus Christ: True God, True Man

Gospel of John

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

... (interlude about John the Baptist)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

• Hypostatic union: 1 Person, 2 natures
• Jesus was fully God & fully man (vs. centaurs)
• He was God before time
• Became man in time

What's in a name?

Name

Meaning

Jesus (Yeshua/Joshua)

Christ (Christos) /

Messiah (Ha-mashia)

Lord (Yahweh / I AM)

Saviour

Saviour / God saves

Anointed one, promised one through the prophets to the chosen people (to be priest, prophet, king)

God revealed this name to Moses when he asked

From slavery to sin, power to forgive sins => God.

Gospel of John, Ch 1

9 The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. 11 He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

...

16 And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.

"For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven"

The Word became flesh...

• To save us (CCC 457)
• To enable us to know the love of God (CCC 458)
• To be our model for sanctity (CCC 459)
• To make us children of God, sharers in the divine nature (CCC 460)

When was the "fulness of time"?

It's all about preparation...

Figures of Christ in the Old Testament

• Abel
• Melchisedek (high priest)
• Isaac
• Joseph
• Paschal Lamb
• Bronze serpent
• Jonah

Prophecies of the incarnation

• Redeemer from sin (Genesis 3:15)
• Tribe of Judah & family of David (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5)
• Birth place (Micah 5:1)
• Passion and Death (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
• Universal and perpetual reign (2 Samuel 7:14)

What's so special about Mary?

Immaculate Conception

Mother of God

• Preserved from all sin
• "Hail Mary, full of grace"
• Redeemed in advance
• CCC 490

• CCC 509
• Can God have a mother?
• Mother of the Church
• Our mother

Assumed into heaven

Ever Virgin

• Mary was taken up into heaven, body and soul
• Did Mary die?

• Showcases God's action
• "Brothers" of Jesus?
• Son, behold your mother...
• CCC 502-507

Answering common objections...

Is bowing before a statue of Mary idolatory!?

Is Mary the Mother of God?

Was the Immaculate Conception necessary?

Did Jesus condemn praying the Rosary?

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