Wednesday: The Historical Jesus
Read Matthew 26:57-67, John 11:45-53, and John 18:29-31. Who was Caiaphas, and what was his role in the death of Christ? Who was Pontius Pilate, and how was his decision most important for the Sanhedrin to accomplish its goals?
Caiaphas was high priest and instigated the plot to seek the death of Jesus. His existence is recorded also by Josephus, the Jewish historian writing in behalf of the Romans. “Besides which he also deprived Joseph, who was also called Caiphas[sic], of the high priesthood, and appointed Jonathan, the son of Ananus,
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the former high priest, to succeed him”. — Josephus Complete Works (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1969), book 18, chapter 4, p. 381.
In 1990, a family tomb was discovered south of Jerusalem containing twelve ossuaries or bone boxes. The coins and pottery from the tomb date it to around the middle of the first century A.D. The most ornate of the ossuaries, with multiple sets of bones in it, contains the name “Joseph son of Caiaphas”. Many scholars believe this to have been the tomb and bone box of Caiaphas, the High Priest so directly involved in the death of Jesus.
In 1961, an inscription bearing the name of Pontius Pilate, the prefect of Judea under Emperor Tiberius, was found on a stone in the theater at Caesarea Maritima.
Thus, in both of these cases, some of the principal figures surrounding the death of Christ have been corroborated by history.
Secular historians of the first two centuries also speak of Jesus of Nazareth. Tacitus, the Roman historian, writes of Christ, His execution by Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius, and early Christians in Rome. Pliny the Younger, a Roman governor, writes in A.D. 112-113 to the emperor Trajan, asking how he should treat the Christians. He describes them as meeting on a certain day before light where they gather and sing hymns as to a god.
These archaeological discoveries and historical sources provide an extra, non-biblical framework for the existence of Jesus, who was worshiped within the first 50 years after His death. The gospels themselves are the primary sources about Jesus, and we should study them carefully to learn more about Jesus and His life.
| Though it’s always nice to have archaeological evidence that supports our faith, why must we learn not to make our faith depend upon these things, as helpful as they might at times be? |
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"The lady doth protest to much, methinks" is a quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet.
My question is why do some people try so hard to show that the Bible and its central figure Jesus the Creator and Saviour of humans is for weak minded people, who have thought it up as a crutch.
Why bother if Jesus Christ did not exist?
There must be a niggling doubt in their minds, a concern they will have to face the Judge of the world some day.
The majority have been led astray by so called intellectuals, so now the masses completely ignore the critical question- Is Jesus God and if He is - what does that have to do with me?
I don't think too many people seriously question the historicity of Jesus as a person, but rather think of him as a good man and not God. I can understand that. Particularly when so many of his professed followers are hypocritically claiming he is God but not following his example. If we want people to believe he is God then we, his followers, should show unselfish love toward others, even those we disagree with.
There is power in Jesus' blood. It is a matter of a change of heart! Are we ourselves living proofs that Jesus exists and show this from within? Or, are we, as so called christians, just a bunch of people who gather in church and discuss some biblical subjects?
How much of a living and renewed soul am I? Do I smell like Christ? Do I have such a perfum? Or my life is just like everyone's, with the difference that I say I am a christian? If there is power in Christ, let this power be shown in my own heart and life... Let us stop kidding around and assume our true nature once and for all. It is time for us to be either "hot or cold", because if we do not do this, "the stones will cry out." Luke 19:40
One of the books that has influenced me considerably in my Christain walk is C S Lewis's "Mere Christianity". Here is what he has to say about the Historic Jesus:
I was just reaching for this book to find this passage. There is no option to call Jesus a good man. He was either a God incarnate or crazy. Thanks Maurice.
One of the best defenses of Christ being fully God that has been given. It was good to reread that quote.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Eph 5:15-16.
Who was Jesus? What I was told as a child was; common sense was made before book sense. There are many highly intellectual and educated people who read many books also examined a lot of artifacts, studied them, but still does not believe in Jesus as God. Jesus is God. Is it through education and studying that one finds God, or is it through a contrite spirit yielding itself to Jesus? A heart/mind that is willing to yield itself to the working of the Holy Spirit is what is needed.
I have co-workers who either does not believe in Jesus or does not acknowledged him as God. We can only tell people about God or teach them, we cant make up no one mind. We can live like Christ daily in good and bad times so others can see Christ shining through us. Be a good christian!!
Should our faith be dependent on archeological discoveries? Some will argue no! My faith is strong..and the just shall live by faith. And what about the millions of atheists who doubt the authenticity of the word. How did Christ respond to "doubting Thomas"?
EGW comments on John 20:24-29:
Tenderness Won Thomas"Jesus, in His treatment of Thomas, gave His followers a lesson regarding the manner in which they should treat those who have doubts upon religious truth, and who make those doubts prominent."
"He did not overwhelm Thomas with words of reproach, nor did He enter into a controversy with him;*l but, with marked condescension and tenderness, He revealed Himself unto the doubting one."
"Thomas had taken a most unreasonable position, in dictating the only conditions of his faith; but Jesus, by His generous love and consideration, broke down all the barriers he had raised."
"....Jesus, revealed in His love and mercy as the crucified Saviour, will bring from many once unwilling lips the acknowledgment of Thomas, “My Lord, and my God” (The Spirit of Prophecy 3:222).
▪️Christ is not here in the flesh to point to the nails in His hands, but maybe, for some, the archaeological discoveries does just that. Have a blessed day!
Excellent point and well put! Thank you!
In studying this week's lesson, every point made is leading me back to faith. Artifact are are nice, but it's all about faith. Hebrews 11:2 tells us "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It does not say the author and finisher artifacts. He are some more versus that points back to faith.
Romans 8:24
Do in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?
2nd Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.
Am I off point? I sincerely welcome corrections and comment, please. Thanks.
What can we say to people who don't believe in Jesus or God in this pandemic period?If they ask where are christians in such like these,why do we respond like them in these critical times.
Luke 21:28,Ps 91:5-7,Ps103:3,Rom 8:11,Mat5:13-16.Are we making any difference now or we are ministering to ourselves.Do we bring hope in this hopeless situation.How did Daniel and hebrew boys respond ,did they live for themselves and God's name was exalted.Is our faith saving or killing,it seems as if we fear death more than fear God.
You are asking quite valid questions Sinds Soci, but it is quite possible that because of the nature of this forum such activities are not reported here. My own church is ensuring that people (particularly older folk without local families to help them) are having their shopping done for them and other little details just to keep them in the loop. I actually saw a "learner driver" that I know and her mother, visiting and dropping of bags of groceries. What a great way to learn to drive - lot of stopping and starting - she is going to get her learning hours up quickly by helping out during this pandemic.
My guess is that many individuals as well as church agencies are doing lots of little things and are simply too busy to bother shouting about it.
Thank God He gave us a History of the Man who calmed the waters. So as we would know and accept a Man who suddenly turns up talking as if He were God. Thank God for the Biblical History revealed before hand, now and then as evidence that all may accept Him as the Son of God. Zachariah 9:9.
My favorite outside of Ellen G. White is Francis Scheaffer, the author of 'How Then Should We Live?'. I am sure I have a yen for his writings because when I was in undergrad school at Pacific Union College, I had the privilege of going to a seminar by him in person, speaking to about 70 of us students of the Bible, in the Bay area. I remember I was impressed with him speaking the truth, he answered the question Ellen G. White asked in the book 'The Desire of Ages', chapter 17, "How then are we to be saved?" Of course she does too most eloquently.
If you don't have the books, I throughly believe Lyn and Brigitte have answered these two closely related questions, throughly over the last many months. No doubt, this is a good thing.