The Nativity Biblical Allusions Source: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7
- Jesus is "the son of David" and "the son of Abraham"
- Mary found with the child of the Holy Spirit
- Joseph didn't want to make Mary an example and wanted to put her her away privately
- An angel changed his mind
- Jesus, Mary's son would save people of their sins
- Caesar Augustus wanted a census
- Joseph and Mary from Nazareth traveled to Bethlehem for Caesar's census
- They traveled 70 miles to Bethlehem
- Jesus was born in Bethlehem
- Jesus was born in a stable
The Nativity is a difficult story to relate to others. In this parable, it seems as if Joseph didn't want any part of the birth of Jesus at first. When I thought of it in this way, I thought of the book Matilda. Her father seemed like he wanted no part of her life at all and only cared about his reputation and image. Although Joseph was not as harsh, it's something that can be compared.
Lazarus Biblical Allusions Source: John 11:1-12:11
- Lazarus, a certain man from Bethany, was sick
- Brother of Mary and Martha
- Jesus heard Mary and made his way to Judea with his disciples
- Not too long ago was Jesus stoned in Judea
- Lazarus died
- Lazarus in tomb for four days
- They unbound Lazarus and he rose from the dead
- Jews started believing in Jesus
- Chief priests wanted Jesus arrested and to sacrifice him for the nation
- Large crowd learned Jesus was going to see Lazarus
- Chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death
- Jews met Jesus with branches and sticks
- They saw Jesus exactly how it was written, sitting on a donkey's colt
This is a well known parable that can easily be compared to the resurrection of God. People stood in awe as Lazarus was resurrected after 4 days as they were when Jesus was resurrected after 3.
Last Supper Biblical Allusions Source: Mark 14; John 13
- First day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread
- Sacrifice the Passover lamb
- Jesus was asked by disciples where He wanted the Passover
- Sent to disciples to go to the city and find a man carrying a jar of water
- They entered the house of the mans and went to an already furnished room
- They made preparations there
- Devil planned on having Judas betray Him
- Washed his disciples' feet but the ones who were going to betray Him were already "dirty"
- No servant is greater than his master
- Predicts His betrayal
- Jesus gave His dipped bread to whoever He knew was going to betray Him
- He gave it to Judas and the devil entered him
- Jesus left somewhere that no one could follow, to His Father
This parable is an extremely famous story known by so many people. As Jesus washes his disciples' feet, it made me think of when Mary of Bethany pours perfume on Jesus' feet and washes it with her hair because she has sinned and is "dirty."
Judas and the Betrayal Biblical Allusions Source: Matthew 25, 26
- Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests
- Asked for a reward for turning in Jesus
- 30 pieces of silver
- Looked for opportunities to hand Jesus over
- Jesus knew his betrayer at Passover
The story of Judas is quite upsetting in the fact that he goes against Jesus. The theme explored is definitely betrayal and can be seen in the book, The Kite Runner Amir doesn't come to Hassan's aid.
The Denial Biblical Allusions Source: Matthew 25
- Jesus made a prediction during The Last Supper
- Peter would deny and disown him
- Before the rooster crows
- Peter will disown him three times
- Said he'd never disown/deny Jesus
- Jesus was arrested, Peter denied being with him (first denial)
- Girl accused Peter of being with Jesus again, he denied it (second denial)
- Another accused accused him of being with Jesus because of his accent
- Peter's third denial, then the rooster crows
- Remembers Jesus' words
As Peter denies being a part of Jesus' "group," it made me think to the part of the project where I read about mythology. It made me compare this story to the story of Oedipus. He was once a good, brave man and then when the story of him murdering Jocasta's husband rose, he denied it over and over again though it was true.
The Crucifixion Biblical Allusions Source: Matthew 27
- Crucifixion and burial of Jesus
- Taken to Roman governor of Judea
- Judas, the betrayer, returns 30 pieces of silver to the temple
- Pilate, governor, was impressed by Jesus' silence
- Crowd said to crucify Jesus
- Taken to be executed
- At 3 o'clock Jesus asks why God has abandoned him
- Starts to give up on life
- Cries out once more, then dies
- Rocks split, earthquakes occur as people look with disbelief
- Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus in a tomb
- Priests and Pharisees remember Jesus saying he'll rise after 3 days
- Sent Roman troops to guard the tomb
This is a famous parable about the resurrection of God's son Jesus and it known widely around the world. This is exactly like the death of Aslan in the novel The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. He is killed on the traitors tablet and is resurrected and the tablet slits in the middle, as did the rocks when Jesus died.
The Resurrection Biblical Allusions Source: Luke 24, John 20 + 21
- Women with spices went to the tomb, the rock blocking it was rolled away
- Jesus' body was gone
- Two men (angels) tell them He has risen
- Two people walk to Emmaus and Jesus join them on the walk
- They do not recognize Jesus
- They insisted on Jesus staying with them
- At the table, Jesus broke bread, blessed it and gave it to them
- They opened their eyes and recognized Jesus
- Went to Jerusalem and gathered the 11 disciples
- Told everyone that Jesus has risen
- Jesus appeared before his disciples and they were in disbelief
- Jesus took them to Bethany and blessed them
- Jesus is carried up to heaven
- Mary Magdalene calls Simon Peter and Jesus' other favorite disciple to the tomb
- All they see is the linen
- Mary wept outside the tomb then two angels appeared
- Jesus appears to Mary
- Tell Jesus' brothers he's leaving to God
- Thomas was not with them when disciples saw Jesus
- Thomas touched his hand where the nail had been and touched his side and believed
- Seven disciples went fishing and caught nothing
- Jesus told them to cast net on right side of boat
- Caught 153 fish and ate with Jesus
- Third time Jesus revealed himself to disciples after resurrection
- Jesus asked Simon if he loved him
- Told him to feed his lambs and tend to his sheep
- Simon followed Jesus
In the movie Heaven is For Real, the little boy's heart stopped on the operating table and claimed to had seen Jesus. He took the boys hand and showed him heaven and the loved ones that have already passed. After speaking to Jesus, he miraculously came back to life, as did Jesus.