The Jesus We Know and Love
So much for the theological aspects of Jesus. There is a lot more. Even without his identity as the Son of God, Jesus is someone very special. People fall in love with this guy. Let us introduce you to the Jesus so many adore and admire. Let’s see the humanity of Jesus. Here are some highlights:
· He was known to befriend even the lowliest members of society. For example, he healed lepers, associated with tax collectors, respected women, and lifted up outcast groups such as the Samaritans—groups that were despised or denigrated. (Read Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 10:25-37, and Luke 19:1-9.)
· Read Matthew 5:1-11, which is called the “Beatitudes,” (which itself is part of Jesus’ most famous sermon—the Sermon on the Mount). Notice the purity of his words, and the compassion for the downtrodden.
Jesus is the shepherd that seeks out every lost soul. This gives us confidence that he cares for even you and me. (Read Luke 15:1-7.)
· Jesus adores little children. (Read Matthew 19:13-14.)
· And, by the way, Jesus loves a party. Indeed, his first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding party! (Read John 2:1-11.) His opponents even called him a winebibber and a glutton. (Read Luke 7:33-35.) Jesus just loves people—all people.
· Jesus offers refuge. (Read Matthew 11:28-30.) How often have we personally turned to this passage for comfort?
· But Jesus was definitely NOT politically correct. He told it like it was! (Read Matthew 21:12-16 and Matthew 23:1-36.) Really, Jesus was a non-violent revolutionary.
· Jesus exuded wisdom and authority. His teaching impressed people with his authoritative words. (Read Mark 1:21-28.) Time after time, he outwitted his opponents with his brilliant mind. (Read Matthew 22:15-22.)
· While his words could quiet the mouths of the obstreperous, his actions demonstrated spectacular humility and service. (Read Matthew 23:11-12; John 10:7-18; John 13:1-17; 1 Peter 2:18-25.)
You have a friend in Jesus, as the old hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” declares. This might be a good time to take a diversion from our study. Open up a web browser and click on this site to listen to the hymn: http://www.hymnsite.com/ (and find this hymn in the index). You can read the words below while you listen to the music.
· He was known to befriend even the lowliest members of society. For example, he healed lepers, associated with tax collectors, respected women, and lifted up outcast groups such as the Samaritans—groups that were despised or denigrated. (Read Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 10:25-37, and Luke 19:1-9.)
· Read Matthew 5:1-11, which is called the “Beatitudes,” (which itself is part of Jesus’ most famous sermon—the Sermon on the Mount). Notice the purity of his words, and the compassion for the downtrodden.
Jesus is the shepherd that seeks out every lost soul. This gives us confidence that he cares for even you and me. (Read Luke 15:1-7.)
· Jesus adores little children. (Read Matthew 19:13-14.)
· And, by the way, Jesus loves a party. Indeed, his first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding party! (Read John 2:1-11.) His opponents even called him a winebibber and a glutton. (Read Luke 7:33-35.) Jesus just loves people—all people.
· Jesus offers refuge. (Read Matthew 11:28-30.) How often have we personally turned to this passage for comfort?
· But Jesus was definitely NOT politically correct. He told it like it was! (Read Matthew 21:12-16 and Matthew 23:1-36.) Really, Jesus was a non-violent revolutionary.
· Jesus exuded wisdom and authority. His teaching impressed people with his authoritative words. (Read Mark 1:21-28.) Time after time, he outwitted his opponents with his brilliant mind. (Read Matthew 22:15-22.)
· While his words could quiet the mouths of the obstreperous, his actions demonstrated spectacular humility and service. (Read Matthew 23:11-12; John 10:7-18; John 13:1-17; 1 Peter 2:18-25.)
You have a friend in Jesus, as the old hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” declares. This might be a good time to take a diversion from our study. Open up a web browser and click on this site to listen to the hymn: http://www.hymnsite.com/ (and find this hymn in the index). You can read the words below while you listen to the music.
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What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptation? Is there trouble everywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful—Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior still our refuge. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer. In his arms he’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there. |
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Get to know this Jesus of Nazareth, sent by God to touch our hearts, to show us the ultimate example of how to live in a sinful world—and yes, to suffer and die for our sins, even to offer us eternal life.
Jesus affirmed that it was for the very purpose of dying that he came into the world (John 12:23-27). Moreover, he perceived his death as being a sacrificial offering for the sins of humanity (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus took his sacrificial mission with utmost seriousness, for he knew that without him, humanity would certainly perish (Matthew 16:25; John 3:16) and spend eternity apart from God in a place of great suffering.
Jesus therefore described his mission this way: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10); for “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
Jesus affirmed that it was for the very purpose of dying that he came into the world (John 12:23-27). Moreover, he perceived his death as being a sacrificial offering for the sins of humanity (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus took his sacrificial mission with utmost seriousness, for he knew that without him, humanity would certainly perish (Matthew 16:25; John 3:16) and spend eternity apart from God in a place of great suffering.
Jesus therefore described his mission this way: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10); for “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
