Jesus As Healer in First Century Judaism Term Paper

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Jesus as Healer in First Century Judaism

This is a paper that analyzes Jesus as a healer at the time when he had to deal with first century Judaism.

Jewish law in the Old Testament prevented idolatry practices that prevailed before Judaism had an influence over people. Pagan rituals often consisted of worshippers making sacrifices to idols, and the initial prophets went through hardships to help these people change their ways. To begin with, the task of changing their beliefs was momentous, as preaching about a God that cannot be seen was difficult and opposed easily. However, with the grace of God, the prophets succeeded after persisting for many years.

As a result of the efforts of the prophets that came before Jesus, the Jewish world was well-versed in all the laws that they were given through the prophet Moses. These laws were rigid because they aimed at ameliorating the condition of the people and removing the pagan-inherent habits, such as the drinking of blood. In addition to laws regarding eating, there were also laws that prohibited immoral behavior, and they all were apparently meant to attain social stability in those times. (Green, 1993, 20) However, from the time that the Mosaic Law was given to man its practices were rigid but may not have been upheld in the right spirit. This is because these laws could easily be used to target particular individuals, resulting in death for severe crimes. This is perhaps a major reason why Jesus relaxed the law. A prime example of this is when he prevented an adulterous woman from being stoned to death. It was because of deeds like this that the Jewish hardliners resented Jesus. (Dmitri, 1999, 15)

The Jews had more reason to resent Jesus when he broke the Jewish law and ate without washing his hands. In addition to this, the Jews could not tolerate him because he claimed that he was the Son of God. But even when he tried to provide them with proof through his healings they accused him of gaining his power through Beelzebub.

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However, Jesus continued to preach not fearing any repercussions. (Ferguson, 1993, 44)

The ministry of Jesus appears to teach all followers that there one should not fear what one believes in and knows is true. This is because of the manner in which Jesus went about preaching healing and baptizing those who were in need of him.

Jesus healed the sick and cured the lame. He even made the blind see again and raised people from the dead. Healing the sick too was an act that he frequently carried out, as exemplified at Simon's house. "Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her." (Luke 4: 38) As usual, Jesus never refused anyone a healing and traveled wherever he had to in order to reach the sick. Jesus "stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them." (Luke 4: 39)

Word about the healing at Simon's house spread quickly in the area. By sunset "all they that had any sick with diverse diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ." (Luke 4: 40-41)

These were acts that none of the other prophets managed to do, and so, there was hatred yet fear developing while Jesus carried out his work on earth. This was because they did not really know for sure who he was. (Alkire, 2003, 20)

In addition to Jesus miracles that saved people from their sicknesses, evil possession and even death, he also worked miracles in times of despair when….....

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