Jesus

Day 40, Mar 15, 2024

Text:  Isaiah 9:6-7; John 1:1-5.

Introduction-

There are many words used to describe Jesus – Lord, Savior, King, Redeemer, just to mention a few. One word that most of us forget is “Teacher”. Jesus taught many lessons. What’s so incredible about Jesus is the fact that His teachings are profound yet simple enough for a child to understand. His teachings cause us to reflect on our faith but are also relevant to our everyday lives. 

Apostle John did an excellent job introducing our Lord Jesus Christ to the world. You know, someone once said that the Gospel of John is the greatest book in the Bible. Three things usually influence an introduction. In John’s case, each was very critical:

1. The Person doing the Introduction: It is John, the son of Zebedee and Salome. He wrote the Gospel of John. John and his brother James had a fishing business alongside Simon Peter. One day, while listening to John the Baptist preach, he saw the preacher turn dramatically and point his finger at a man. With authority and full conviction, John the Baptist spoke and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” John looked at Jesus Christ – from that day onwards, John would never be same again. John became one of the twelve Disciples of Christ. In fact, he was in the inner circle with Jesus, – Peter, James, and John.

John was an over-zealous, ambitious character. He once asked Jesus to call down fire on a city because they did not repent. In fact, his mother asked Jesus if her sons can sit at Jesus’ right and left hand, Jesus even nicknamed them the sons of thunder. But as John followed Jesus sincerely, Jesus changed him completely that he was known as the “Beloved Disciple”.

2. The People to whom the Introduction is made: Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote what we may call the Synoptic Gospels, which means they follow a similar pattern and design. Also, Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote to a specific audience – Matthew (wrote primarily to the Jews); Mark (wrote primarily to the Romans), and Luke (wrote primarily to the Greeks). But John wrote to the WHOLE WORLD – When John was writing his Gospel, Christianity was spreading over the entire ancient world, thus John was not writing just to tell the story of Jesus, but he was writing to tell what the events in Jesus’ life meant. The other writers told what happened, John told the meaning regarding what had happened.
3. The Person being Introduced: John knew Jesus by personal experience. He knew that the world needed a clear presentation of Jesus Christ. Let look at John 20:30-31 (AMP)- There are also many other signs (attesting miracles) that Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these have been written so that you may believe [with a deep, abiding trust] that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of God; and that by believing [and trusting in and relying on Him] you may have life in His name. This was the purpose for writing this Gospel.

John’s Introduction of Jesus Christ

1. The Preexistence of Jesus Christ: “In the beginning [before all-time] was the Word (Christ)…” The “was” in John 1:1 means “continuing.” Jesus was continuing as He had always continued because He is eternal. John 8:58 – “Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not even fifty years old, and You [claim to] have seen Abraham?” 58Jesus replied, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am.” His preexistence tells us that God has always been like Jesus. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are One God.
2. The Position of Jesus Christ: “and the Word was with God,” The Word “was” means He was continually face to face with God. Jesus came from Glory, for He was in heaven before He came to earth. In other words, coming to earth in human form meant that Jesus was subjecting Himself to the divine purpose of our salvation – Philippians 2:5-7: “Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], 6who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; 7but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man]. Never was Jesus separated from the Father, except when He took our place, bore our sins, and said- Psalm 22:1 – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
3. The Person of Jesus: “the Word was God Himself.” Colossians 2:9 – “For in Him all the fullness of Deity (the Godhead) dwells in bodily form [completely expressing the divine essence of God]”. Jesus Christ was God, Jesus Christ is God, and Jesus Christ will always be God. Man wants to know what God is like – Look at Jesus Christ. Man’s ideas of God are flawed, but Christ’s presentation of God is faithful.
4. The Possession of Jesus: “All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being”. Read Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:10; Hebrews 1:2; Psalm 24:1; Revelation 4:11. Jesus owns everything in the world, and He can do with it what He determines is best.
5. The Purpose of Jesus: “In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men”. The whole world lay in darkness, lost before Jesus came. He appeared on the scene to be the light and bring life to all who would repent of sin and believe in Him.

Some Life Lessons and Teachings of Jesus

1. Humility and Teachable spirit – Matthew 5:3 (AMP): Jesus wants us always to humbly acknowledge our need for Him.
2. We are assured of blessing for enduring trials and promise of the Holy Spirit our chief comforter in times of need – Matthew 5:4 (AMP): Trials, time of mourning and loss will come, but when they come hold on to God and the Holy Spirit will be there to comfort us.
3. Jesus taught kindness, gentleness, patience, and tolerance – Matthew 5:5 (AMP): To be meek is to be gentle, kind, patient, and tolerant – not proud, mighty, or conceited. Jesus showed His meekness by being willing to submit to the will of God. Even in a moment of extreme agony, He said to God, “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42 – NKJV).
4. Jesus wants us to come closer to God and seek Him more – Matthew 5:6 (AMP): We come closer to God as we follow His teachings daily and learn more about Him by reading His Word daily – Joshua 1:8-9 (NKJV). The more knowledge we seek, the more we give Him opportunity to bless us.
5. Jesus was a perfect example of showing forgiveness and mercy – Matthew 5:7 (AMP): Even when He was suffering on the cross, He said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34 – NKJV). We all need mercy. To receive mercy and forgiveness, we must show mercy and forgive others no matter the circumstances. Also, forgiveness is something that is continuous, not a one-time thing – (Matthew 18:21-22 -NKJV).
6. Jesus taught about integrity, moral courage, and godly character – Matthew 5:8 (AMP):  If we earnestly strive to be like God, our motives and actions will be honorable and our heart will be pure, then God will make Himself known to us.
7. Jesus taught us to pursue peace – Matthew 5:9 (AMP): This is one of His names – “Prince of Peace”. Jesus encourages us to follow His example by loving everyone so we can live together in harmony – (Romans 12:18 – NKJV).
8. Jesus taught us to stand up for the principles of God even in the face of criticism – Matthew 5:10 (AMP): We may face criticisms from society or other groups for the way we live, the things we believe in, and the things we do. We are encouraged to bravely stand up for the principles of God and His Church. When we do this, God will bless you for it in both this life and in the next. 
9. Jesus taught about love – Matthew 22:37-39 (AMP): When asked which commandment was the most important, Jesus pointed to love. When we replace hate with love, anger with kindness, we’ll be closer to God and experience more peace in our lives.
10. Jesus taught us to live by the Golden Rule – Matthew 7:12 (AMP): Treat others the way you want to be treated. As you do this, you will strengthen your relationships and be happier.
11. Have faith in Jesus Christ – John 3:16 (AMP): Having faith in Jesus Christ means believing in Him and His teachings. Doing so will bless you in this life and in the life to come.

Lesson of the Day

The lesson of the day is to constantly communicate sincerely daily with God. Jesus taught by example that we should pray to God, our Heavenly Father daily and always – (Luke 18:1 NKJV). Prayers mixed with faith and obedience is the key in walking with God – (Hebrews 11:6; Isaiah 1:19 – NKJV). God loves you. He stands ready to help you – (John 14:15-18 – NKJV). Communicate with Him through prayers, express gratitude, and ask for the things you need in Jesus’ name – Amen.

Shalom!

Complied by: Mark Olumese