The Verbo: Jesus as the Word of God

• The text discusses the "Verbo" (Word) in the context of Jesus, referencing John 1:1 and exploring its theological significance
• The "Verbo" is identified as the second person of the Trinity, incarnated in Jesus Christ, representing eternal wisdom
• Grammatically, the "Verbo" is a word affirming an action, state, or quality attributed to a subject

Meaning of "Verbo" ("Logos")

• "Verbo," from the Greek "Logos," is translated as "word," "reason," or "principle"
• In the New Testament, especially in the Gospel of John, "Logos" refers to Jesus Christ
• Jesus Christ is described as the "Verbo" who was with God and was God
• "Logos" mediates between God and humanity, representing divine communication, reason, and the order permeating creation

Reasons Jesus is Referred to as the "Verbo"

• "Verbo" represents the full expression of God, like words expressing thoughts and ideas
• Jesus is seen as the manifestation of God in human form
• All things were made through the "Verbo," indicating Jesus' active role in creation
• The "Verbo" became flesh (John 1:14), emphasizing Jesus' incarnation and direct relationship with humanity
• Jesus, as the "Verbo," is the revelation of God to humanity, offering teachings and the path to salvation
• Apostle John affirms Jesus was Christ before the incarnation

Messianic Prophecies

• Messianic prophecies foretell the coming of the Messiah, a Savior bringing redemption and peace to Israel
• These prophecies are associated with characteristics like the restoration of Israel, world peace, and justice
• These prophecies were well-known among the Jews
• Prophets foretold aspects such as lineage, birthplace, and the Messiah's importance

Selected Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

• Prophecy: He'll be the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15); Fulfillment: Lucas 1:34-35
• Prophecy: Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14); Fulfillment: Matthew 1:22-23 & Luke 1:26-31
• Prophecy: Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); Fulfillment: Matthew 2:1 & Luke 2:4-6
• Prophecy: Inherit David's throne (2 Samuel 7:12-13 & Isaiah 9:7); Fulfillment: Luke 1:32-33 & Romans 1:3
• Prophecy: Massacre of babies in his hometown (Jeremiah 31:15); Fulfillment: Matthew 2:16-18
• Prophecy: Spend time in Egypt as a child (Hosea 11:1); Fulfillment: Matthew 2:14-15
• Prophecy: Preceded by a precursor (Malachi 3:1); Fulfillment: Matthew 11:10
• Prophecy: A messenger will prepare his way (Isaiah 40:3-5); Fulfillment: Luke 3:3-6
• Prophecy: Would be declared Son of God (Psalm 2:7); Fulfillment: Matthew 3:16-17
• Prophecy: Bring light to the Galilee region (Isaiah 9:1-2); Fulfillment: Matthew 4:13-16
• Prophecy: Proclaim liberty to captives (Isaiah 61:1-2); Fulfillment: Luke 4:18-19
• Prophecy: Heal the sick (Malachi 4:2); Fulfillment: Luke 13:32
• Prophecy: Heal the blind, deaf, mute and paralytics (Isaiah 35:5-6); Fulfillment: Matthew 21:14, Mark 7:37, and Luke 7:21
• Prophecy: Would not commit sin, nor would deceit be found in his mouth (Isaiah 53:9); Fulfillment: 1 Peter 2:22
• Prophecy: Enter Jerusalem riding on a colt (Zechariah 9:9); Fulfillment: Matthew 21:4-5
• Prophecy: Receive praise from children (Psalm 8:2); Fulfillment: Matthew 21:16
• Prophecy: Be betrayed by someone very close for 30 pieces of silver (Psalm 41:9 & Zechariah 11:12-13); Fulfillment: Matthew 26:14-16
• Prophecy: The money would be used to buy a potter's field (Zechariah 11:12-13); Fulfillment: Matthew 27:5-10
• Prophecy: Accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11); Fulfillment: Mark 14:57-58
• Prophecy: Would be spat upon and beaten (Isaiah 50:6); Fulfillment: Matthew 26:67
• Prophecy: Keep silent before his accusers (Isaiah 53:7); Fulfillment: Mark 15:4-5
• Prophecy: He would bear our sins on his body (Isaiah 53:5); Fulfillment: 1 Peter 2:24
• Prophecy: Would be crucified among criminals (Isaiah 53:12); Fulfillment: Mark 15:27-28
• Prophecy: None of his bones would be broken (Exodus 12:46 & Psalm 34:20); Fulfillment: John 19:36
• Prophecy: Would be pierced through his hands and feet (Psalm 22:17 & Zechariah 12:10); Fulfillment: Luke 23:33
• Prophecy: Would feel a terrible thirst at the time of death (Psalm 22:15); Fulfillment: John 19:28
• Prophecy: Would receive vinegar to Drink (Psalm 69:21); Fulfillment: Matthew 27:34 & John 19:28-30 The Roman soldiers would gamble for his clothes (Psalm 22:18); Fulfillment: Luke 23:34
• Prophecy: Would be taunted and mocked (Psalm 22:7-8); Fulfillment: Lucas 23:35-38
• Prophecy: Would be buried among the rich (Isaiah 53:9); Fulfillment: Matthew 27:57-60
• Prophecy: Rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10 & Psalm 49:15); Fulfillment: Matthew 28:2-7

Jewish Expectations vs. the Reality of the Messiah

• The Jews expected a powerful leader descended from King David who would restore Israel politically, militarily, and spiritually
• They believed the Messiah would be a political king who would liberate Israel from foreign dominion, specifically the Roman Empire
• Expected the Messiah to be a victorious warrior who would conquer Israel's enemies, similar to King David
• Many Jews expected the Messiah to purify and restore the cult in the Temple of Jerusalem
• The Messiah would bring an era of justice and peace to the Jewish people, delivering them from oppression and ensuring prosperity
• Most Jews did not expect a divine Messiah, but rather a man anointed by God to fulfill his mission
• The idea of a suffering Messiah, as described in Isaiah 53, was less popular and generally interpreted in other ways
• When Jesus appeared, many Jews did not recognize him as the Messiah because he did not fit the expected profile
• He preached love and forgiveness instead of revolt against the Romans
• He spoke of a spiritual "Kingdom of God," not a political kingdom
• He was crucified, something seen as a defeat and not a messianic victory

Distinctions Between Hebrew, Israelite, and Jew

• Hebrew refers to the descendants of Abraham before the formation of the nation of Israel, appearing in the Bible to describe Abraham and his descendants before slavery in Egypt
• May relate to the word "Habiru" or "Apiru," used in ancient records to describe nomadic peoples of the Middle East
• Term was more common until the time of the Exodus, often used by foreign peoples to refer to the Israelites
• Israelite: Refers to the descendants of Jacob (Israel) and the twelve tribes that formed the nation of Israel
• Term refers to any member of the ancient kingdom of Israel, including both the Northern (Israel) and Southern (Judah) kingdoms
• Jew Became common after the Babylonian exile to refer to the inhabitants of the kingdom of Judah and their descendants
• During Jesus' time, "Jew" was a common term for anyone of the Jewish culture and religion
• Conclusion:
• All Jews are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews
• All Israelites are Hebrews, but not all Hebrews are Israelites
• The term "Jew" became used more broadly to refer to the people of Israel from the Tribe of Judah after the exile in Babylon

Biblical Genealogy

• Biblical genealogy records lineage or descent, listing ancestors and descendants in successive order
• Records were essential in Jewish culture to determine inheritances, priestly functions, real rights, and identity within the people of Israel

Functions of Biblical Genealogy

• Verify Royal and Priestly Lineage: For Example, Jesus genealogy in Matthew 1 and Luke 3
• Maintain the Identity of the People of Israel: Example 1 Chronicles 1-9
• Supporting the Transmission of Divine Promise: Example God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)
• Demonstrate the Connection of Jesus with Humanity: Example Luke traces the Genealogy of Jesus to Adam (Luke 3:23-38)

Genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew

• Matthew 1:1-17 traces lineage from Abraham to Joseph, emphasizes Jesus fulfillment of promises to Abraham and David

• Genealoy was organized in three groups of 14 generations each

• 1st Group of 14 Generations (Abraham to David)

• Abraham begat Isaac; Isaac begat Jacob; Jacob begat Judah and his brothers;

• Judah begat Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar; Perez begat Esrom; Esrom begat Arão;

• Arão begat Aminadabe; Aminadabe begat Naassom; Naassom begat Salmom; Salmom begat Boaz,

• whose mother was Rahab; Boaz begat Obed, whose mother was Ruth; Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat kind David

  • 2nd Group of 14 Generations (David to Babylonian Exile) -David begat Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife; Solomon begat Rehoboam; -Rehoboam begat Abias; Abias begat Asa; Asa begat Josaphat; Josaphat begat Joram; Joram begat Uzziah; Uzziah begat Jotham; Jotham begat Ahaz; Ahaz begat Hezekiah; Hezekiah begat Manasseh; Manasseh begat Amon; Amon begat Josiah; and Josiah begat Jeconiah and his brothers, during the time of exile in Babylon

  -3rd Group of 14 Generations (Post-Exile to Messiah) -Jeconias begat Salathiel; Salathiel begat Zerubbabel; Zerubbabel begat Abiud; Abiud begat Eliaquim; Eliaquim begat Azor; Azor begat Zadok; Zadok begat Aquim; Aquim begat Eliud; Eliud begat Eleazar; Eleazar begat Matan; Matan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph, -the husband of Mary, of which was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Thus, all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David to exile in Babylon fourteen generations, and from exile to Christ fourteen

Characteristics of Matthew's Genealogy

• Emphasizes Jesus as the promised Messiah, connecting Jesus to Abraham and King David
• Includes uncommon women for Jewish culture (Tamar, Raabe, Rute, Bate-Seba) showing that God uses unexpected people in the plan
• Diverges from Luke's genealogy. Matthew focuses on the royal lineage (David, Solomon), Luke traces a more biological lineage (David Nata)

Genealogy in Luke

• Luke 3:23-38 traces lineage differently from Matthew, starts with Jesus, goes back to Adam, highlights connection to humanity

Differences Between Matthew and Luke

• Luke traces lineage of Jesus to Adam, Matthew to Abraham linking Jesus to the Jewish people
• Luke follows from Nata, Matthew from King David; Matthew lineage of inheritance, Luke biological lineage through Maria
• Luke Genealogy is longer at 77, against Matthew's 41
• Luke genealogy reinforces Jesus as the "Son of Man" connected to all humanity from Adam

The Annunciations to Isabel, Maria, and Jose

• Isabel & Maria's Annunciations are fundamental part of the narrative for John the Baptist and Jesus birth
• Gabriel is involved and presents differend signifgicant context and purpose

John the Baptist

• John preached in the dessert, and his ministry is related in Matthew, Mark, Luke
• He was the precursos of Jesus Christ, and is considered a high figure
• John was a voice in the desert that prepared for the coming of the Lord
• As for Humility & Service , John did not seek for his fame but declare with Jesus, "That He grew and I diminished"
• Eventually, after some time, John suffered prison and death
• But his legacy is remarkable since he set the foundations for the ones to be able to see Jesus Christ

Temptation In the Desert

• This is a story described by Matthew, Mark & Luke
• This is a clear example of the battle between Good and Evil
• It is divided in three great lessons with the intention that they can be memorized:
  • Transforming Stone into Bread, that teaches about the sensation
  • Jumping and be saved in the time of needs which teaches about The Being
  • Kneeling in front of the Devil, and with it be free to domain The World
• In conclusion, Jesus resistence demonstrates as how to not fall into the daily temptation and always stand by the word of God

The Choosing of the Disciples

• At the beginning of its formation to establish the foundations of early church, twelve distinct disciples were chosen by Jesus and He preprated them with divine orientation

The Meaning of Disciple and Apostle

• Disciple is someone that follows Christ, as the word comes from the greek, meaning someone who follows the teachings of a master
• Apostle can be interpreted as someone that spread God's word with authority and speciall mission as it comes from a greek word meaning, representative/emissary

Requirements to Become and Apostle

• Must be an ocular testimone of the ministry of Jesus
• Must be called and chose directly by Jesus
• Must be a witnedd of the ressuection and able to recive power to realize sings and mirales to establush and teach the Church

Ressucitation from Lázaro

• It's a powerful story and event that talks about hope, compassion
• It goes around the authority of the ressurection , so important for the belief
• Talks about God control in time, where He act at the precise oportunity and love that overcomes people

Jesus And His Parables

• Jesus utilizes parables as the main from that teaches and shares truths, in relation to faith, divine kingdom etc
• Parables can be described and distingush through specific characteristics

About Disciples

A good conclusion would be to use all the teachings, love and faith for God to understand his word and become better