Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator
The Gospels record the beginning of Jesus' public ministry as having begun in Capernaum, a town in the region known as Galilee. Jesus is identified as a "Galilean." A careful reading of the Gospels shows that Jesus is accepted to a greater degree by his fellow Galileans than he is in Jerusalem which lies far to the south. This is not to say that he was universally accepted by the local citizenry, but he did enjoy greater success in the north.
The Gospels also tend to record that Jesus was more easily identified for who he really was by the demons and spirits who seem to plague the people of Galilee. "I know who you are," they report, "the Holy One of God." (Luke 4:34c) This assertion is in stark contrast to the local people who ask "Isn't this the son of Joseph?" (Luke 4:22c) Questions about Jesus' identity continue throughout the Gospel. Even Jesus asks his disciples to report who people say that he is.
Many different titles are ascribed to Jesus throughout the Gospels. These titles gradually reveal who Jesus is. He is referred to as "the Son of Man," "the Son of God," the One about whom Moses wrote," "the King of Israel," "a prophet," "the Holy One of God." Some say that he is a reincarnation of Elijah or John the Baptist. Theologians refer to these various titles as "low" Christology. It is important to note that Jesus is not the only figure in the Scripture to whom these titles are ascribed.
The titles reveal a truth that we 21st century Christians don't often consider. We have come to accept the assertion of the fourth Gospel; namely, that Jesus is God. We don't question it. We refer to him as the Incarnation, God in the flesh. However, our ancestors in the faith did not leap to that conclusion quickly. It was only after years of reflection on the life, ministry, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus that they came to this conclusion. The opening verse of St. John's Gospel is the fruit of that reflection. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
The Gospels are the product of the process of reflection in which our ancestors engaged; we are the beneficiaries of their prayer and reflection. With gratitude we continue to reflect on the Gospels. We continue to answer the question: Who is this Jesus of Nazareth and what does he ask of me?