The Deeds of Jesus

The Deeds of Jesus

Miracles of Jesus

  • Jesus performed many miracles as recorded in the New Testament, these reflect his divine powers.
  • These include healing the sick, like the blind man in John 9:6, and the paralyzed man in John 5:1-15.
  • Jesus shows power over nature by calming the storm in Luke 8:22-25.
  • He demonstrates power over death by resurrecting Lazarus in John 11:1-44.
  • The miracles are significant as they offer proof of Jesus’ divine nature, showing Jesus as son of God.

Parables of Jesus

  • Jesus often taught his disciples and the people through the use of parables.
  • Examples include The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) depicting the commandment ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.
  • The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) emphasises the theme of forgiveness and God’s unconditional love.
  • The parables serve as a tool for moral and spiritual instruction, and provide insights into the Kingdom of God.

The Last Supper

  • The Last Supper was a significant event where Jesus ate with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion.
  • Here, Jesus introduced the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, symbolised by the bread and wine.
  • Jesus predicts his betrayal by Judas Iscariot during this meal.
  • The Last Supper is seen as the institution of the Eucharist, a central sacrament in Christianity.

Crucifixion and Resurrection

  • The Crucifixion demonstrates Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
  • The suffering of Jesus is heavily emphasised, as depicted in the Stations of the Cross.
  • The Resurrection, three days later, affirms the divinity of Jesus.
  • The Resurrection is a cornerstone of Christian faith, symbolic of victory over death and sin, and the promise of eternal life for believers.

The Ascension

  • The Ascension occurred forty days after the Resurrection, marking the end of Jesus’ physical presence on Earth.
  • In Acts 1:9-11, Jesus ascends to heaven in the presence of his disciples, promising the Holy Spirit’s arrival.
  • The Ascension is significant as it leads to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, forming the Trinity.

By studying these deeds of Jesus, understanding of the core Christian beliefs such as incarnation, atonement, and resurrection is deepened. All these actions display Jesus’ divine power, his teaching methods, and his sacrificial love for humanity.