2.2 titles for Jesus in the synoptic gospels and the I AM sayings in John

Question 1

What is meant by Messiah?

Answer 1

the ‘anointed one’ chosen by God to usher in the new, Messianic age

Question 2

What are the three different types of Messiah?

Answer 2

1. royal messiah = from the House of David
2. priestly messiah = would restore priestly leadership of Israel
3. prophet messiah = God’s spokeperson

Question 3

What kind of Messiah is Jesus?

Answer 3

at times he appears to be all three
e.g. John 18:36 he is a royal messiah as the king of the spiritual realm

NT = messiah is replaced with the greek word, Christos, meaning Christ

Question 4

What is meant by Son of Man?

Answer 4

OT = refers to a heavenly being who would bring salvation and judgement

Question 5

How is Jesus presented as the Son of Man?

Answer 5

Jesus seems to fulfil the roles attributed to this eschatological figure
- Jesus uses this term when he speaks of his messianic authority on Earth + the age to come

Question 6

What is meant by the Son of God?

Answer 6

OT = used to describe the King of Israel
NT = highlights Jesus’ unique relationship with God
Greek = a heroic human figure

Question 7

What is meant by the ‘I am’ sayings in John?

Answer 7

a deliberately used phrase that possess great theological significance

Question 8

What is the Greek significance behind ‘I am’?

Answer 8

Ego Eimi(I am) = used to describe Greek deities

Question 9

What is the OT significance of using I am?

Answer 9

Barrett(1975) = phrase comes from the OT + used as the divine word of self-revelation from God himself e.g. Exodus 8:14 -> “I am who I am.”

Question 10

How many ‘I am’ sayings are there in John?

Answer 10

7

Question 11

What are the four I am sayings that need to be known?

Answer 11

1. I am the bread of life
2. I am the light of the world
3. I am the good shepherd
4. I am the true vine

Question 12

What was the meaning and significance of “I am the bread of life”?

Answer 12

• the nourishing heavenly bread is seen as the teaching of Jesus : a wisdom theme
• where the living bread is Jesus’ own flesh : sacramental theme

Question 13

What was the meaning and significance of I am the light of the world?

Answer 13

• Jesus is the true light (links to the Prologue) who can lead all to eternal life
• Ironically the Torah was a light but it was this that caused the Pharisees’ blindness as they condemned Jesus for breaking the Sabbath laws
• Christians today see this as a call to evangelise and share Jesus’ light with the whole world

Question 14

What was the meaning and significance of I am the good shepherd?

Answer 14

• The universal nature of Jesus’ ministry is shown; all people(including Gentiles) can be saved -> universal salvation

Question 15

What was the meaning and significance of I am the true vine?

Answer 15

• replacement theology = there is no other way to God except through ‘remaining’ in Jesus
• there are some sacramental undertone -> eucharist, messianic banquet