Christopher Wright's Knowing Jesus

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The review of the book, “Knowing Jesus”; I will show how the author, Christopher J. H. Wright explains how understanding Jesus, one must understand the Old Testament and it’s narratives that paint a picture of the one who prophets elude to as the one who will fulfill the law, by delivering Israel. In doing so, using Israel as the prototype of God’s mission to provide salvation to them and to all nations. Prophetical narratives that paint pictures of one, who is destined to be the savior of God’s chosen people, Israel, and all mankind. The crescendo of events in the Old Testament that takes the reader through time, places, and events that provides credence to who Jesus really was and his purpose here on the earth. The relationship that Old…show more content…
Wright attempts to tie the old Christian churches role in with OT account of the coming of the Messiah. There again, we see evidence of purpose of Jesus and his ultimate role to restore Israel to prominence and return them to the land that God had promised them. Zechariah 9:9 is evidence that there will be one that will arise and show favour to Israel We that Wright points out how Israel will be used by God will enact is salvation and judgment. The NT, as well John the Baptist is used to set the stage for Jesus by preaching about the one that is greater than him. He preached repentance to the nations to prepare for the coming. We see that God is preparing for the restoration of Israel and repentance of the nations to become one. Jesus accomplished by being baptized by John the Baptist that validated his ministry and, furthermore, validated is purpose as the Messiah. Wright points out the usage of Messiah as tied to the Israelites while “The Son of Man” is used by Jesus. The latter is used in Mathew, Luke, and John tied to Jesus current ministry, the suffering, dying, and resurrection, and acts of deity. I see latter tied to the nations and one people that were created after his resurrection. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Clearly, Wright points out another attribute of Jesus purpose here on earth. Jesus mission as a servant of the Lord crowns him as servant to Israel and the nations. As Christians, we are servants of the almighty. In that role, we service the poor, the unjust, and politically victimized. As the book admonishes us, we see the OT evidence where Israel was God’s servant (Isaiah 41:8-10). Wright proves his point in the book with the overall theme of the bloodline history that exist between OT and NT and how it gives us a better understanding

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