GOD SENDS HIS SON

The numbers in parenthese that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

God Sends His Son

1. Where was Jesus born?
2. Why did Jesus come as an infant?
3. What do we know of Jesus' infancy?
4. What was the outstanding characteristic of Jesus' youth?
5. Did Jesus show us how to live?
6. Do the Gospels show that Jesus is truly God?
7. How did Jesus back up his claim to be God?
8. What is a miracle?
9. What was Jesus' greatest miracle?
10. What is prophecy?
11. What were some of Jesus' prophecies?
12. Why do Jesus' miracles and prophecies prove that he is divine?
13. Jesus was called master or teacher. Whom did he teach?
14. Those who followed Jesus in a special way were called disciples or apostles. What do these words mean?
15. What is the redemption?
16. Why did Jesus die?
17. Did Jesus have to suffer and die to save us?
18. What do we learn from Jesus' offering of his life for our sake?
19. Did God have to redeem us?
20. Who is responsible for Jesus' death?

1. Where was Jesus born?
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, the small town in which King David was born.

Since Joseph was of the house and family of David he went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem of Judea, the city of David... (Lk 2:4).

2. Why did Jesus come as an infant?
Christ came into our world as an infant, born in poverty, because to be truly human he had to experience our life from birth to death. In this he gave us an example of humility and love. (525-526)

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child...is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mt 18:4).

3. What do we know of Jesus' infancy?
Little is known of Jesus' infancy. The Gospels mention the following events:

a) Circumcision. On the eighth day after his birth Jesus was circumcised. This rite incorporated him into the covenant and charged him with participation in Israel's worship. (527)

And when eight days had passed for his circumcision they gave him the name Jesus (Lk 2:21).

b) Epiphany. This indicates the universality of Jesus' mission and commemorates the visit of the wise men from the East. The liturgy links this manifestation of Jesus with his baptism by John and the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed the first of his signs. (528)

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, Magi from the East arrived in Jerusalem asking, "Where is the newborn King of the Jews?" (Mt 2:1).

c) Presentation. This was the day Jesus, the firstborn Son, was officially offered in the temple, accepted by God, and recognized as the Messiah, but also as a sign that would be rejected. (529)

When the day came for their purification according to the Torah of Moses they took the child up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Lk 2:22).

d) Flight into Egypt. The Holy Family sought refuge in Egypt to escape the murderous intention of King Herod. This event commemorates the slaughter of many innocent boys in Bethlehem and is a sign of Jesus' persecuted life. (530)

He came to his own home, yet his own did not receive him (Jn 1:11).

4. What was the outstanding characteristic of Jesus' youth?
Jesus was outstanding for his obedience to God and to his parents. This virtue continued to be the hallmark of his life, especially evident in the passion. (531-534)

Then he went down with them and went to Nazareth, and he was subject to them (Lk 2:51).

5. Did Jesus show us how to live?
Jesus showed us how to live especially by his example, that is, by the way he lived his private and public life. Although we know very little about his private life, he spent his public life teaching. It probably lasted shortly over two years and ended with his death and resurrection. (512-570)

Who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to hold on to. Instead, he emptied himself and took on the form of a slave, born in human likeness, and to all appearances a man. He humbled himself and became obedient, even unto death, death on a cross (Phil 2:6-8).

6. Do the Gospels show that Jesus is truly God?
Yes, the Gospels show that Jesus is truly God. In ways that were very clear for the people of his time and country, Jesus showed that he was God. (515) For example, Jesus said:

All things have been given to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and whoever the Son chooses to reveal him to (Mt 11:27).

7. How did Jesus back up his claim to be God?
Jesus backed up his claim to be God by working miracles and prophesying. (515)

For the works the Father has given me to bring to completion, the very works I do, bear witness to me that the Father sent me, and the Father who sent me, he has born witness to me (Jn 5:36-37).

8. What is a miracle?
A miracle is something that takes place outside of the ordinary working of nature's laws. This is something only God can do, either directly or through human instruments. (547-550)

[Jesus] called out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out with his hands and feet bound with thongs and his face wrapped with a cloth (Mt 11:43-44).

9. What was Jesus' greatest miracle?
Jesus' greatest miracle was his resurrection. (648)

I have power to lay it [my body] down and I have power to take it up again (Jn 10:18).

10. What is prophecy?
Prophecy may be concerned with future events, but it is basically the mediation and interpretation of the divine mind and will through past and present events. (64, 436)

And when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all men to myself (Jn 12:32).

11. What were some of Jesus' prophecies?
Jesus prophesied his passion and resurrection, his denial by Peter, his betrayal by Judas, and the destruction of the temple (which took place about forty years after his ascension). (557-558, 585)

I say to you, not a stone here will be left upon a stone which will not be torn down (Mt 24:2).

12. Why do Jesus' miracles and prophecies prove that he is divine?
The miracles and prophecies of Jesus could only have been done if God was with him and thus approved what he had said about being divine. (547-548)

The very works I do, bear witness to me that the Father sent me (Jn 5:36).

13. Jesus was called master or teacher. Whom did he teach?
Jesus taught everyone who came to listen to him, but he gave special training to his disciples, especially the twelve apostles. In the Gospels and through the Church, Jesus continues to be our teacher. (427, 541-546)

He spoke to the people only in parables and explained everything to his own disciples in private (Mk 4:34).

14. Those who followed Jesus in a special way were called disciples or apostles. What do these words mean?
Disciple means learner or follower; apostle means one "who is sent." Jesus had been sent into the world by his Father; now he was preparing to send his apostles into the world as his messengers. (520, 858, 1506)

Then he went up the mountain and called those he wanted, and they came to him. He chose twelve, whom he also called apostles, to stay with him and to send them out to preach (Mk 3:13-14).

15. What is the redemption?
The redemption refers to God's saving work through Jesus, who laid down his life that we might be freed of sin and reconciled to the Father. (601-602)

For even the Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45).

16. Why did Jesus die?
Jesus died to deliver us from sin, both the sin of our first parents and our personal sins. Jesus' death reconciled us to the Father so that we might receive God's life called grace and reach eternal salvation. (601-615)

Through one man's obedience many will be made righteous...so that just as sin reigned in death so too would grace reign in righteousness leading to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:19, 21).

17. Did Jesus have to suffer and die to save us?
Jesus did not have to suffer and die to save us, but he freely chose to do so. (606, 609)

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. No one takes it from me; on the contrary, I lay it down on my own (Jn 10:11, 18).

18. What do we learn from Jesus' offering of his life for our sake?
Jesus' death teaches us how much he loves us and how evil sin is. (604)

Greater love than this no man has-to lay down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13).

19. Did God have to redeem us?
God freely chose to redeem us out of his great love. We did not merit this; it was a free gift of God. (604-605)

The proof of God's love for us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8).

20. Who is responsible for Jesus' death?
All of us are responsible for Jesus' death because of our sinfulness; we cannot put the blame on particular individuals or groups. (597-598)

...Jesus would die for the nation, and not only for the nation but also so that the scattered children of God might gather into one (Jn 11:51-52).