JESUS THE LIBERATORWhat can a picture tell us?

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TITLE OF JESUS

Lord Messiah Way Son of God Shepherd Teacher Victor Lamb of God Healer Saviour Word

No title by itself is sufficient .

Over the centuries many title have been used to describe, understand and relate to Jesus.

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JESUS THE LIBERATOR ישוע

= Yehosua the Hebrew for Jesus means ‘God saves’

‘Saviour’ Hebrew Scriptures uses for some human s – kings, prophets.

‘ Saviour’ Christian Scriptures only used for God and Jesus.

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JESUS LIBERATES

Luke 4: 6-21

Jesus announces that he fulfills the promise of Isaiah for a liberator

Acts 10: 38

Peter preaching about Jesus at Cornelius’ house

Jesus’ anointing links to his liberation ministry.

Jesus’ power to deliver and release, to liberate

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CATECHISM TERMS

The Catechism of the Catholic Church uses the terms

redemption salvation liberation in that order of frequency.

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Jesus liberates from unjust social structures.

Mark 10:2 -12rejection of divorce by either partner.

Luke 6: 27-28 command to love one’s enemies.

Mark 3: 34-35 a Christian community of equal men

and women following the will of God.

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Jesus liberates from unjust political systems.

Luke 18: 9-14, 19: 9-10 extending God’s liberation to tax-

collectors, who collaborated with Roman authorities.

Luke 10: 30-37 (The Good Samaritan) speaking out about hatred of foreigners.

Mark 3: 13-19 electing the Twelve as symbol of desire

to liberate Israel.

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Jesus liberates from unjust religious systems.

Mark 2:13-17; Matthew 11:19; Luke 10:30-37

table fellowship with religious outcasts. Luke 8:1-3

welcoming women as disciples

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JESUS TH

E LIBER

ATOR

What scripture story is

presented here ?

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AN EXAMPLE

The following slides look in depth and breadth at the story of the Woman caught in adultery.

Look again at the picture and record everything that it tells you about Jesus the liberator.

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JOHN 7:59 – 8:11 BACKGROUND

8:5 Lv 20:10 and Dt 22: 22 give the

punishment for a man & woman caught in adultery as death of both.

In Dt 22: 23-24 stoning is prescribed if the woman is married.

The Romans had taken away the right of the Jews to put someone to death.

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JOHN 7:59 – 8:11 BACKGROUND

8:6Writing on the ground refers to Jer 17:13 &

the shaming of those who have forsaken God.

Reminder of the guilt of those who are condemning the woman.

8: 7 Dt 17:7 the first stones were to be thrown by

the witnesses.

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1. SUMMARISE THE STORYThe religious leaders wish to trap Jesus

so they bring a woman to him who was caught in adultery.

They want Jesus to condemn her to death.

Jesus leans downs and writes on the ground.

He challenges the accusers to throw the first stone if they have not sinned.

No-one does so he tells the woman to go and ‘sin no more’.

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2. WHO ARE THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY?

JesusTeachers of the Law and PhariseeWoman caught in adultery Crowd

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3. WHAT DID JEWISH LAW SAY ABOUT ADULTERY?

Biblical law in Lv 20:10 and Dt 22: 22 give the punishment for a man & woman caught in adultery as death of both.

In Dt 22: 23-24 stoning is prescribed if the woman is married.

The Romans had taken away the right of the Jews to put someone to death so they could not punish her as they thought they should

Stoning should begin by the witnesses throwing the first stones.

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4. WHAT OTHER INFORMATION HELPS UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEXT?

In Jer 17:1 the name of those who have forsaken God was written on the ground.

Jesus suggests by his actions that he is recording the name of those who have forsaken God.

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5. WHERE AND WHEN DOES THE SITUATION OCCUR ?

It happens at dawn – suggesting that the woman was caught after a night with someone she was not married to.

It happened at the Mount of Olives Place where Jews believed the Messaih would appear and bring the dead to life.

Place of burial. Place where Jesus would plead with the Father before the crucifixion.

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6. WHAT IS THE RESPONSE OF THE CHARACTERS TO THE MAIN EVENT?

Jesus He straightens up and ceases writing

on the ground. Teachers of the Law and Pharisees

and the crowd. They move away one at a time.

Woman caught in adultery. She converses with Jesus and then we

presume she leaves.

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7. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS NOT CONDEMNING THE WOMAN? - For the woman? 

She is not killed and her name is not tarnished – she can be a member of the society.

For the Teachers of the Law Pharisees?   They are embarrassed because they are not

sinless. For Jesus? 

He has done what he was anointed to do liberated a captive.

For the crowd? They are given a strong message about

judgment.

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8. WHAT MESSAGE FOR READERS TODAY DOES THIS STORY HAVE?

This is not Jesus saying that adultery is OK.

It demonstrates the overwhelming love of God for even those who have sinned.

(there is no suggestion that the woman is innocent of the charges against her) We are liberated from continual

condemnation for our acts, we can start again and go ‘and sin no more’.

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WHO REQUIRES LIBERATION ?

The womanShe is being accused without trial.Her life is at stake.Her religion condemns her.

The listeners Who were trapped in religious

fundamentalism.