Introduction
The core of Christian belief is the life, teachings, crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Numerous books and essays were written after the death of the Son of God. However, the only original writings believed to describe Christ’s journey are considered the three gospels by Mark, Matthew, and Luke (Coogan 1745). Still, even these sources were written several decades after him being crucified. Jesus is translated from Hebrew as “God saves,” and this name indicates his later act of saving humanity from its sins, which only almighty God can forgive (Catechism of the Catholic Church 108). Christ, translated as Messiah, was his title, given to him after he suffered and died for the people, which was his divine mission (Catechism of the Catholic Church 109). The main idea of the teachings of the Creeds suggests that Jesus was sent to humanity for the purpose of savior through willing acceptance of suffering and death to eventually become the King of men.
Discussion
The fate of the Son was predetermined before he was born. Since God loves people, he sends the spirit of his beloved Son to be incarnated as a man, Jesus of Nazareth (Mohler 36). Mary, the young woman, was chosen by God for the role of Jesus’s mother (Catechism of the Catholic Church 124). Unfortunately, excessive re-evaluation of the history of Christ made the whole idea of man’s savior by the Holy Spirit, incarnated through a virgin birth, look too supernatural to the scholars (Mohler 34). Still, Christians value and worship God’s mercy and the almighty’s Son’s sacrifice, accepting the teachings of the Creeds. The latter declared Jesus equal to God since he was a “divine man” and the “Son of God” (Ratzinger 393). However, Ratzinger claims that Christ cannot be considered equal to God, as the church decided, because only one true God exists (304). Still, the willingness to be judged and crucified turned him into a true Messiah.
Jesus’s death on the Cross may seem supernatural on the surface, falsely directing people to think that his Resurrection from the dead was because of his divine origin and being the Son of God. In reality, the idea of being chosen for crucifixion was, in a way, an allegory for kingship, which is the self-sacrifice for the greater purpose and serving others rather than guiding and ruling (Ratzinger 403). Jesus embodied a ruler since he taught and helped people, and in the moment of need, he gave his own life to save humanity. Furthermore, Christ’s Resurrection indicated that his act had pure intentions and was done for others; thus, he survived. In fact, according to Ratzinger, being God and Lord meant being “fundamentally untouched by the event” (416). Overall, the whole notion of the death on the Cross and Resurrection suggests that a king must be willing to renunciate, but, ultimately, one’s soul will remain unaffected.
When one studies the history of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, the logical question is, where is Jesus? Although the literal interpretation of the gospels suggests that the Son of God is in heaven, the latter cannot be understood as a physical place. Instead, since God “is in the hearts of the just,” Jesus can be found in those who pray and follow the Ten Commandments (Catechism of the Catholic Church 670). In fact, by coming to earth, living among people, and willfully accepting his fate, Christ demonstrated to human beings how to attain heaven and God while being alive.
Conclusion
In summary, the Creeds not only teach Christians that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and a divine man but also propose the meaning of authentic kingship or leadership. Indeed, Jesus’s act of self-sacrifice to save people showed that a true ruler is prepared to abandon themself for the benefit of others. Nevertheless, Christ’s Resurrection indicated that the King’s name and soul would remain untouched in fulfilling one’s mission. Moreover, one will be given a place near God after reconciling earth and heaven in oneself.
Works Cited
Catechism of the Catholic Church. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2018.
Coogan, Michael D., et al. The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version. 5th ed., Oxford University Press, 2018.
Ratzinger, Joseph. Introduction to Christianity. Ignatius Press, 2004.
Mohler Jr, R. Albert. The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits. Thomas Nelson, 2019.