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Who is Jesus?

Jesuit scripture scholar James McPolin tells us in twelve articles what the gospels say about him. They tell of his education, his family background and social context, why he was killed, what it means to call him "saviour", his conflict with the religious authorities of his day, his compassion for the outcast, his prayer life shared with others, his searching for the lost, his teaching about the kingdom of God in parables, his miracles, and his message of forgiveness.

Jesus' hidden life What were the formative years of Jesus like? Is there anything we can really know about what they call "the hidden years"? Could he read and write? What level of education did he have? What languages did he speak? Jim McPolin SJ looks at these questions. ....

Jesus' family and conflict with the priests What do we know of Jesus' family life? What is to be said of those the Gospels call 'his brothers and sisters'? Could he have not been married? Did he join the clergy? How did he come in conflict with the priests? James Mc Polin SJ tries answer these questions. ....

Why was Jesus killed? Right from Jesus' first preaching he was in conflict with his fellow townspeople, with the Jewish leaders and was executed by Pilate as a political rebel. Each gospel shows different points of view about Jesus. James Mc Polin SJ explains. ....

Jesus the merciful saviour The word 'saviour' was a title applied to the gods of the Greek and Roman world but also to kings, philosophers, emperors, physicians and statesmen. James McPolin SJ gives us some idea of what it means to call Jesus 'the merciful saviour'. ....

Jesus at prayer Jesus himself prayed in times of emergency and wanted others to pray along with him. His prayer shows him in a very intimate relationship with the one he calls "Abba", Dada. He urges us to pray in like manner. James McPolin SJ introduces us to Jesus at prayer. ....

Friend of sinners Central to Jesus's life is his befriending of sinners. This was one of the central criticisms of his behaviour and the cause of much confrontation with the Jews and especially with Scribes and Pharisees. James McPolin draws out what the Gospels tell us. ....

Be compassionate Jesus seems to have deliberately provoked conflict with the dominant social vision represented by the religious authorities by his compassionate healings on the Sabbath and his table-fellowship with outcasts. James Mc Polin SJ tells the story. ....

The stories Jesus tells us "Narrative" is a technique used by psychotherapists to encourage people reveal what the central concerns of their lives are. The stories Jesus tells show how he thought of himself, the meaning of his life and his message. James McPolin SJ explains. ....

The meaning of parables The wonderful thing about Jesus' parables is that they nearly always have an element of surprise, of counter-culture, which he uses to force the listener to make a decision about accepting or rejecting the kingdom of God in their heart. Jim McPolin SJ explains. ....

The miracles of Jesus Over 30 per cent of the verses of St Mark's Gospel is taken up with stories of miracles. The Latin word 'miraculum' means something that causes wonder. James McPolin SJ says the miracles of our day are those which speak to our world of liberation, of human dignity, health, justice peace and ....

Searching for the lost Chapter 15 of St Luke's Gospel contains three parables about the lost and the outcast. James McPolin SJ interpretes these three parables as as showing that the compassion of God comes to all in the person of Jesus. ....

Forgiveness Forgiveness is well known as being the central teaching of Christianity. It seems both eminently desirable and well-nigh impossible. Jesus' teaching in the 'Our Father', his parable of the unmerciful servant and his encounter with Zacchaeus bring out how serious he is about this teaching. James ....