Jesus
Jesus is the most amazing person. Not only in the way he behaved and what he taught. He is credited with being the person through whom the whole universe was created. So, no wonder miracles are an easy next step.
What does the Bible say about Jesus? -
- Jesus - Amazing Person - John 8v1-11
- Jesus - Eternal Word - John 1v1-14
- Jesus - Saviour - Romans 5v6-11
- Jesus - Source of life - Romans 6v6-8
Jesus - Amazing Person
John 8v1-11
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What attitudes do you see in the various people in this account?
- How did Jesus’ attitude differ from others?
- What kind of attitude might Jesus have toward you?
Thoughts to consider
Jesus had a deep sense of love and mercy. He was respectful to everyone.
Most people when faced with someone who had broken the strongest taboo in the culture would have had little hesitation in throwing the book at them. Somehow, Jesus was able to look for mercy and for change.
Jesus - Eternal Word
John 1v1-14
In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How does Jesus, The Word, relate with God?
- What was Jesus’ part in the creation of the world?
- What spiritual impact does Jesus have on people?
Thoughts to consider
Jesus is far more than a person who lived 2000 years ago. He is the one through whom the whole of creation was made. He is the true spiritual light for all people in all situations.
Jesus - Saviour
Romans 5v6-11
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What part does Jesus have in making people right with God?
- How is this a demonstration of his love?
- What are the implications of being a friend of God?
Thoughts to consider
There are many people I would never contemplate giving my life for. Jesus on the other hand gave his life for people we would consider the scum of the earth. It is then a shock to realise that I am among that number.
Jesus - Source of Life
Romans 6v6-8
We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How has Jesus' rising from the dead brought us to a place of freedom?
- What does it mean for death and sin to have power over a person, and what are the implications of it loosing power?
Thoughts to consider
We try to imagine ourselves as being completely free to do what we want. If we are honest, we realise there are times when we allow situations or people to control us. The handle they use is sin and death at work in us. Jesus frees us from that control.
Overview question for reflection or discussion
- How does Jesus figure in the universe?
- How does Jesus figure in your life?
Thoughts to consider
People say that absolute power corrupts absolutely. In Jesus we see the opposite of this. He has all power available to him and yet he operates completely from love and for our love.
