Jesus pointed people toward himself
For a man who has a reputation of humility among Christians and non-Christians alike, it’s surprising to realize that, more than anything else Jesus may have done, his overriding aim was to talk about himself – who he was and why he came to earth. Jesus made it clear that he and he alone was the route that people can take to be reconciled with God. He said that he was the way, the truth, and the life (see John 14:6).
If you hear someone constantly talking about himself or herself, that person almost always has a “big head,” demands to be pampered, and expects privileges. But the way Jesus lived directly contrasts with that behaviour. When Jesus spoke of himself, he did so in a way that didn’t say, “Look at me!” like you see when you watch a celebrity interview or an awards show. Instead, he uttered the words as if stating a fact. In addition, as I discuss in the sections that follow, his life was characterized by sacrifice, selflessness, and servanthood – terms you don’t see floating around on The Tonight Show very often.
In spite of the fact that he made bold claims about himself as the Son of God, Jesus made it clear that he wasn’t interested in seeking glory. John records two times that Jesus specifically went out of his way to emphasize that point: “I don’t want praise from men” (John 5:41) and “I don’t seek my own glory” (John 8:50). Therefore, as Christians reflect on who Christ is today, they consider the remarkable paradox of his amazing humility combined with the fact that he’s also God in the flesh.
Always ahead of his time
During the time Jesus lived on earth, men dominated culture. Women were considered second-class citizens and weren’t often given much respect or attention by men. However, Jesus crossed those social conventions and gave an amazing amount of attention and priority to them. The Gospels say that Jesus treated women as equal to men. A few examples come to mind:
Jesus talked at length with a Samaritan woman, surprising his disciples that he’d associate with a woman, particularly one of a race that Jews looked down upon (John 4:1-26).
When a woman of ill repute anointed Jesus’ feet, a Jewish leader who was dining with Jesus became very angry. Yet, rather than sending her away, Jesus praised her devotion and chastised the religious leader (Luke 7:47-50).
Jesus was an equal opportunity healer, healing women as well as men (Matthew 9:18-35, Matthew 15:21-28).
Jesus used a woman as a character in his “Lost Coin” parable (Luke 15:8-10).
Jesus became good friends with Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42).
Jesus healed and cared for the down and out
Christians believe that Jesus did far more than preach an hour a day and ride away from the masses on a stretch limo donkey. No, he was constantly rolling up his sleeves and getting his hands dirty. Jesus Christ actively demonstrated his love for people, no matter their race, sex, social status, or walk of life. He spent a lot time caring for others and miraculously healing the sick, lame, and demon-possessed. The Gospels don’t aim to account for all his miracles, and sometimes they aren’t specific on the exact number of people impacted, but they speak of more than three dozen separate miracles – including healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, feeding thousands of people, and even bringing a couple of people back to life.
Jesus didn’t perform all these miracles simply to amaze friends and influence enemies. Instead, he did miraculous works to either show compassion to an individual or to build up a person’s faith. For the most part, the Bible indicates that Jesus’ miracles were practical, matter-of-fact, and behind-the-scenes. He did some miracles in public, but he was no publicity hound. Jesus seemed to prefer to heal people when he was one-on-one with them, rather than in front of a large crowd.
Just as Christ healed and helped people for the simple reason that he loved them, so too Christians believe they are to live out his example by caring for others, not out of duty or obligation, but purely as an expression of their love.
Jesus taught his followers how to live
Jesus may not have had the domed stadiums available that preachers like Billy Graham speak in today, but he could sure pack the crowds in anywhere he went. During those countless impromptu sermons throughout the countryside, within town squares, and inside city temples, he spent a lot of time talking about how his followers should live.
Jesus was immensely practical in this teaching. He didn’t waste time expounding on abstract beliefs of higher learning or want his followers to hang out in ivory towers. Instead, he emphasized how everyday people are to live in a sinful world. I discuss three major themes that rise up from his teaching in this section.
Loving God and one another
Jesus instructed his followers to love one another (Matthew 19:19, John 10:27), love their enemies (Matthew 5:44), and love their God (Matthew 22:37). Over and over again, Jesus drove the point home that if you truly love God and the person next to you more than you love yourself, then you’re going to please God.
Living a holy life
Jesus taught his followers to live lives of personal holiness to God. In other words, Christians believe that if you really love the Lord, then you’re devoted to pursuing purity and sinlessness. He challenged everyone to be “perfect” (Matthew 5:48) and “righteous” (Matthew 5:20). Though his teachings of love and peace are popular today, Jesus stressed that he also came into this world for judgment in the future (John 9:39), as I discuss in Chapter 9.
When he dealt with people one-on-one, Jesus always showed them love, yet he never once neglected holiness in the process. For example, after he healed a lame man, he warned him, “Stop sinning or something worse could happen to you” (John 5:14). So too, when he saved a woman who was caught in the act of adultery from being stoned to death, he forgave her, but added, “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11).
People have always had a natural tendency to embrace either extreme – love or holiness. Those in the love camp emphasize freedom and want everyone to “live and let live,” but those bent on holiness tent to speak vehemently against sin and to be harsh to the sinner. Jesus said that his followers must be concerned with both love and holiness and not neglect either of them.
Being obedient at all costs
Jesus taught that his followers can’t be lukewarm in their commitment to him. Instead, Jesus pointed out time and time again that he wanted (and still wants) 100 percent of a believer’s devotion. He said to his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). He added to this in Matthew 10:39, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Jesus showed the literal implications of this teaching in an encounter with a spoiled rich kid. The young man rode his donkey up to Jesus and asked what he must do to receive eternal life. Jesus saw the hold that wealth had on the man’s heart, which would get in the way of true loyalty to him. So, Jesus told him first to sell all he had and give it to the poor and then told the man to follow him. As you see, Christians believe that Jesus wants his followers to be loyal to him regardless of the cost – that’s the essence of what the Christian phrase dying to self means. (See also Chapter 13.)
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