Kingdom Disciples

Jesus is the Son of Abraham and the heir of the promises, the One who fulfills and implements the inheritance for his people . The introduction to the Gospel of Matthew declares Jesus to be the “ Son of Abraham ,” the descendant destined to fulfill the covenant promises made to the Patriarch, Abraham. His identification as the Son of Abraham s tresses the theme of fulfillment. Through Jesus, the promises become reality.

The Good News announced by Jesus of Nazareth offers salvation and true life to men and women of every nation and nationality . Jesus proclaimed that “ all authority in Heaven and on Earth is given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations! ” He sent his disciples to announce his Lordship and Salvation to the “ uttermost parts of the Earth .” The  Era of Salvation  had commenced with his Death and Resurrection; therefore, his life-giving message must be announced to all men. The Son of God has achieved salvation for his people!

Jesus means ‘Yahweh saves.’ In this Man of Nazareth, the Salvation promised by the God of Abraham and Israel has arrived for all men . The child carried by Mary was “ begotten of the Holy Spirit .” The angel instructed Joseph to name the child ‘Jesus’: “ Call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins .” His name pointed to the saving act of God for humanity that was about to unfold. Men and women would behold the long-promised  Salvation of Yahweh  in Jesus of Nazareth.

The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the True House of God and the open way of access to the presence of God. He is the Greater and True Bethel , the “ House of God .” From now on, Heaven is open to all men, and angels are seen “ ascending and descending ” on the “ Son of Man .” What Jacob saw in a vision long ago has become a concrete reality in Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus is the Living Word in flesh, the true Tabernacle where the Glory of God is revealed. He is the man who reveals God’s Grace and Truth  – John 1:14. The Prologue of the  Gospel of John  presents key themes to be expanded in his gospel account. Jesus is the ‘ Logos ’ (λογος), the “ Word that became flesh .” In Christ, Life and Light are revealed to penitent men and women. He is the true “ Tabernacle ” where God’s “ Glory ” resides. John employs imagery from the history of Israel to illustrate what God has provided in His “ only born Son .”

The equality of Jews and Gentiles before an impartial and just God is pivotal to Paul’s Gospel. They stand or fall before Him on the same basis . Paul wrote his  Letter to the Romans  with two purposes. First, to prepare the ground for his visit to the city and his planned missionary trip to Spain. Secondly, to deal with conflicts between Jewish and Gentile believers. In the Letter, Pual explained his Gospel, and he then discussed the status of the Jewish people and the conflicts troubling the Roman Church.