CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2

Jesus Christ:
True God and
True Man

Uniqueness of Jesus

Hypostatic Union
The union of the divine and human natures in the
one divine Person (Greek: hypostatsis) of the Son
of God, Jesus Christ

Divin
e

Huma
n
Uniqueness of Jesus

True God

Heresies
Docetism

Arianism

A first-century
heresy that
taught that Jesus
only seemed
to be human.
Docetism comes
from a Greek
word meaning
to seem.

A heresy arising
after the apostolic
era that denied
Christs divinity.
Arianism had grave
consequences for
the Churchs
teaching on
True God
salvation.

Journal
Reflection
What do you
appreciate about
the fact that the
Son of God
became man and
shared the human
experience?

Fulfillment of Prophecies
Bible
Passage

Old Testament Prophecy fulfilled by

Messiah

Gn 49:10

He would be born of the tribe of Judah.

Is 11:1-2

He would be of the House of David.

Mi 5:1

He would be born in Bethlehem.

Is 7:14

He would be born of a virgin.

Ps 72:10

He would be worshiped by kings from

afar.

Ps 41:10

He would be betrayed.

Zec 11:1213

He would be sold for thirty pieces of

silver.

Is 50:6

He would suffer for the sins of

humankind.

True God

The Resurrection

The Resurrection of the crucified

one shows that he was truly I
AM, the Son of God and God
himself. (CCC, 653)

True God

Jesus Experienced Human Feelings

Jesus was afraid

Jesus wants us to let go of

worry, another form of fear. Mt
6:25-34
In the garden of Gethsemane
Jesus prays to God to help
overcome his fear. Jn12:27-28

Jesus felt tired and slept

Upon meeting the Samaritan
woman, Jesus was tired from his
journey from Judea to Galilee. Jn
4:6
Jesus also showed his humanity
by sleeping and being awoken to
calm the storm. Mk 8:24, Mk 4:38

Jesus Felt Pity

Jesus took pity on the crowds that

gathered and healed the sick. Mt
14:13-14
Jesus healed two blind men after
being moved by pity for them. Mt
20:29-34

Jesus Needed
Companionship
He appointed
twelve [whom he
also named apostles] that they
might be with himand he might
send them forth to preach. (Mk
3:14)
True Man

Jewish Faith
and Tradition

The Temple

The Synagogue

Greek word for assembly

House of prayer where Scriptures
were read and YHWH was
worshiped
It was a place of discussion for
settling legal disputes.
It was the local school.
It was opened three times per
day.

Located in Jerusalem
High Priest entered sacred space
on Yom Kippur
Temple built from 20-19 B.C.
finished in 64 A.D. and leveled in
AD 70.
Two doves offered for Jesus
Jesus went to the Temple at age
twelve.

Feasts

Passover: celebrated the Chosen

Peoples liberation from slavery
in Egypt
Pentecost: fiftieth held fifty
days after Passover. Spring
harvest festival (commemorate
when God gave Torah)
Tabernacles: Fall harvest
celebration (recalls time Jews
spent
in Religious
wilderness)
Cultural, Historical
and
Context of Jesus Life

Apocalypse
A word meaning revelation or unveiling. It is a word often
associated with the end of times or the second coming of Christ.
Also, apocalyptic writing is the name of a literary genre in the
Bible that uses inspired highly symbolic language to bolster faith
by reassuring believers that the current age, subject to forces of
evil, will end when God intervenes and establishes a divine rule
of goodness and peace.

Cultural, Historical, and Religious Context of Jesus Life

Lamb of
God

I AM

Son of
God
Prophet

Emmanu
el (God
is with
us)

Word
(Logos
)

Words and
Titles that
Describe
JESUS
Son of
Man

Priest

LORD
King

Messia
h or
Christ
Cultural, Historical, and Religious Context of Jesus Life

Reflection:
Think about which title most aptly describes Jesus for
you.
In a paragraph or two, explain your choice.