Jesus Of Nazareth Analysis

Gerhard Lohfink, in his book, “Jesus of Nazareth” believes that Jesus’ person and ministry are intertwined, or actually one and of the same. After Lohfink clarifies the difference between the "reign of God" as distinct from the “Kingdom of God,” he asserts that in Jesus, there is this active, ongoing reign which is not only revealed, but is manifested in all He says and does. Lohfink states, that Jesus is “not just preaching about the reign of God, but He is announcing it,” going on to indicating that Jesus is manifesting this reign in His own self disclosure and the actions of His ministry. Jesus ways of teaching and interactions with others, is shown as compassionate, gentle, direct and personal, as well as definitive and bold. As we also find in Ch. 3, “All that is happening before everyone’s eyes. The reign of God is breaking forth in the midst of the world and not only within people.” (51) And for Lohfink, this is taking place in the actual preaching, actions and life of Jesus Christ. Simply, we are personally and collectively and actively a part of establishing this “reign” right here, right now. A “reign” of mercy, compassion, forgiveness, self-giving, sacrificial love, as well as of justice and peace.

In fact,

Lohfink would hold that “Jesus' proclamation of the reign of God is purely eschatology.” (Ch. 2, p. 26.) In other words, in Jesus this reign is both “now and not yet,” given and established in the past, and the future. From his section, Rausch, while using Schillebeeckx title for Jesus as, “the eschatological ‘salvific figure’, the bringer of salvation.” (128) This is evident in Jesus’ words in Mark 1:15, and also in Jesus’ declaration in Luke 4:21, "Today, this scripture is being fulfilled in your hearing."   Lohfink would assert that, “Jesus knows with the utmost certainty that the promised, longed for, prayed for (by Israel) future is here, that the reign of God is breaking forth. That it is the only way to understand Jesus’ unbending assurance of fulfillment” (Ch. 2. p. 33)
  Therefore, Jesus’ ministry, for example, His preaching, teaching, expressing forgiveness, and bringing about physical and even emotional/spiritual healings, are a direct expression of this reign of God.

Lohfink expresses his understanding and views of Jesus “person and ministry,” in Ch. 3, he sees the Church as the sacrament of the people of God, both in the process and in the action.  So that the Church makes present the reign of God (which presented and fulfilled in Christ) as “already and not yet.” (56) This is part of Lohfink's eschatological expression of what he believes is the purpose and meaning of Jesus own identity and ministry. Indeed, you can even say, that in His ministry and call to others to follow Him and do the

same.