Read pages 134-140 and answer these questions: Jesus' Kingdom of God differed radically from the traditional Jewish view of the Kingdom. What was the key difference and would you have preferred Jesus' view or the traditional view if you were a first century Jew living at the time of Jesus? Explain!
I think the key difference was that Jesus' version of the Kingdom of God was more "spiritual" than physical and I think that the Jews needed that sence of physical security. Also that Jesus' explaination of the Kingdom was that God "Father" was everywhere and that He did not want death and destrustion. I would have preferred Jesus' view honostly because i would want a God/Father close to me who I could communicate easliy with. As well as worship. I would have been a follower of Jesus because i believe that love is stronger than death, destruction, and evil.
ReplyDeleteCait... great point! Jesus seemed to have his work cut out for him to convince the Jews after years of foreign occupation that the Kingdom of God wasn't about war!
ReplyDeleteJesus’ view of the Kingdom of God differed from the traditional Jewish view, because he believed the Kingdom of God existed in people’s heart, once they had a more loving relationship with God. The Jews originally thought the Kingdom was a physical place in Jerusalem that they could only enter, once the evil in the world was diminished. If I was a Jew I would’ve preferred Jesus’ view of the Kingdom, because it involved a loving God not an inferior one, in which it caused each individual to love their neighbors and enemy. The Kingdom of God Jesus portrayed was a Kingdom of forgiveness, no matter if you were evil, God would still protect you and all you had to do was love Him and build on a relationship of trust and love.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Caitlin. Jesus' version of the Kingdom of God was definitely more spiritual then physical. Jesus believed that the Kingdom of God is within us. He believed it is a kingdom that will be inherited by righteous.The Jews were people who had to see to believe. The Jews believed the Kingdom of God was promised to King David because they believed he was a man "after God's own heart." If i were a Jew living in that time i would have also preferred Jesus' view. Jesus made God feel so close and connected to you and I would want to feel that close and loving relationship with God.
ReplyDeleteThe key difference between Jesus' Kingdom and the Jewish view of the Kingdom was that the conviction of God's intimate union with His people was a primary part of Jesus' vision of the Kingdom of God. While the Jewish reverence for God was so great that they often experienced God as distant and remove. The Jewish Law created problems of nationalism, legalism, and limitations for the Jews. This allowed the Jew's perspective of the Kingdom to think that in order to enter it, they must be a good person and have the dual commandment to love God and their neighbor. If I were a first century Jew living at the time of Jesus, I would prefer Jesus' view because it seems more "understandable." Jesus explains that as long as you love God, you'll receive unlimited forgiveness and have an everlasting bond with him. Just imagine living in the Jewish point of view. Do you really have to follow all the Jewish Laws in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and receive eternal life?
ReplyDeleteAs Caitlin said, Jesus spoke of a more spiritual kingdom rather than a literal, actual kingdom. The Jews wanted a place where they can be safe and close to their Savior. The Jews think that God would send a savior like King David: strong, powerful military leader. Their Messiah was supposed to drive out the evil and bring them to a physical place where they would live peacefully. But what Jesus talks about is much more. He talks about the kingdom as a spiritual sanctuary where you can be close to God. Jesus told them to call him "Abba" which symbolizes closeness and a father-child relationship. If i were a Jew in that time, honestly, I would have preferred Jesus' view. Jesus tells us that God is everywhere and is watching over you. I would like someone to watch over me and show me the way to a better life and stronger relationship with God.
ReplyDeleteThe key difference of Jesus' view on the Kingdom of God was spiritual and intimate relationship with a loving God that portrays as a parent with excessive compassion to his people. Jesus recognizes God as a "Father" and should have the honor of calling him Abba. In traditional Jewish view, the Kingdom of God was a more physical place that would create a new nation for the Jews. If I was a Jew, I would prefer Jesus' view because he proclaims a forgiving God who would still accept you with your negative aspects. I would not like to fear God who punishes anyone who is injustice.
ReplyDeleteJesus' view of the Kingdom of God dramatically contradicted the traditional view of it. Jesus exposed the Jews to a more spiritual kingdom and a more loving and compassionate God. The Jewish people of this time viewed God as dictator rather than a close friend who loves and forgives you. Jesus introduced the Jews to a more spiritual Kingdom of God. I feel that if I were a first century Jew, I would honestly prefer the traditional view of the Kingdom of God, only because I wouldn't have known better at the time. It is understandable that at this time of wars, violence, and rulers, the Jews would expect to establish a physical kingdom. However, Jesus then changed the perspective of the Kingdom of God to a spiritual one rather than physical one.
ReplyDeleteThe key difference between the two ideas of the Kingdom of God, is that Jesus’ view of the kingdom of God didn’t specifically refer to a location in which the kingdom could be found. The suggestion of the Kingdom of God in Jesus’ view referred to the relationship that we share with God, Jesus, and all people around us. It refers to the relationship and spiritual bond that we share with God and one another. The traditional Jewish kingdom was thought of as a place that the warrior-like messiah would come in and establish by converting or destroying the enemies of the Jews. They believed that God would sit in a high throne in the kingdom and rule over its people. If I was a first century Jew, I would have most likely preferred the traditional Jewish view on the Kingdom of God. If I had a first century Jew mentality in this time period, I would have most likely enjoyed the idea of an all powerful ruler that protected myself and my people from other oppressors. This may have even seemed like a paradise to me having been raised in their Jewish culture and traditions at the time.
ReplyDeleteJesus' Kingdom of God differed from the Jewish view of the Kingdom because Jesus sought out to teach people the God was a merciful and loving being. Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was to be found inside each individual by turning away from selfishness and turn to love. The Jewish belief was that God was so holy or powerful that they could not even speak his name. They experienced God as a being who was fierce and resulting in a distant relationship between man and God. If I was a Jew back then I would have preferred Jesus' view because he portrays God's image as a loving father who will never want to see you suffer.
ReplyDeleteThe difernce in the traditional Kingdom Of God and Jesus' view in the Kingdom Of God was that when people originally thought of a Kingdom they believed it would be a great place like the temple where God would reside when he came to Earth, with an army force always ready to conquer, Jesus' vision of the Kingdom of God Was in peoples hearts and spiritual being. He knew it wasnt a place but something every person had to feel inside of their heart to really believe it
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