The Essential Jesus: His Life & Teaching

Jesus has had an impact on every generation, but who was he really? Was he the pagan figure of the gnostic gospels, someone unknowable, or the Jesus of the canonical gospels? The evidence that he is the man the gospels claim him to be is overwhelming - he is a figure who can be factually and historically known. And as the gospels proclaim, he is still alive, so that we can know him in a personal way, too.

Jesus calls four men to follow him and be his disciples. Four principles of discipleship are discussed: 1) discipleship begins by making an informed decision to receive Jesus as Messiah; 2) discipleship involves living in community with other disciples; 3) discipleship involves embracing Jesus' call to influence others for him; and 4) discipleship means allowing Jesus to continually change our lives. It is important for disciples of Jesus to be continual learners. He can use anyone to impact the world as long as they are willing. Living this way brings much joy and satisfaction.\r\n

Comparing the mentality of Jesus versus the mentality of the Pharisees highlights three conflicts: 1) conflict over Jesus' associates; 2) conflict over fasting; and 3) conflict over the Sabbath. The Pharisees emphasize separation from sinners, impersonal ritualism, and keeping minor external rules. Jesus emphasizes initiation with sinners, having a personal relationship with God, and loving people. Jesus' way of living can be motivated and empowered by his love in our lives.\r\n

In Mathew's gospel, John the Baptist speaks of four different kinds of baptisms, each one concerning a different truth about salvation. The first is John's water baptism of the Jews and Gentiles, which signifies that we are ALL guilty before God and need His forgiveness. The second is baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is about the gift of salvation. The third is baptism by fire, something we only experience if we do not repent before God. The last is John's baptism of Jesus, which demonstrates that it is God who provides salvation through Jesus' identification with us sinners.

Before Jesus can launch his public ministry, he is sent into the desert by God to be tempted three times by Satan. Through this event, Jesus is able to identify with sinners, and so help us when we are tempted. Each temptation also correlates with a common progression of sneakier and sneakier methods by Satan, all centering on lies about God and His Word. First Satan preys on our physical needs, then he misrepresents God, and finally he tries to convince us to seemingly live for God without suffering. The way to fight these lies is with truth: God's Word.

During his public ministry, Jesus performed many miracles. Is there any reason to believe he really performed these miracles? Why did he do them? \r\nWe have good reason to believe they happened, and examining them reveals aspects of God's kingdom.

In Jesus' ministry he calls on His disciples to make two crucial decisions. He calls on us to make these same two crucial decisions. The first is who do you say that Jesus is? Have you accepted Him as your personal Lord and savior? The second decision is the choice to follow Christ daily. This includes choosing to reject the right to run your own life in order to follow Jesus and choosing to endure hostility from others because of your loyalty to Jesus. Each decision we make holds great consequences when it comes to the outcome of our life now and in eternity.

Jesus uses parables to teach about the Kingdom of God. The Mystery of the Kingdom that Jesus is teaching about is the period in history between Jesus' first and second coming. Each of these parables affirm what the Old Testament Prophets taught but also reveals something new. God's priorities are explained and His will revealed through these parables. He desires all people to come to Him and those who do get the privilege of having a role in sharing His Good News to others.\r\n

Jesus confronts conventional wisdom in three situations: 1) Pharisee and tax collector; 2) faith of children; 3) rich and the poor. The contrasts in each of these draws out that a life of self-sufficiency and following external rules isn't what makes people acceptable to God. It is through humility and faith in what Jesus did for humanity that makes people right with God.\r\n

Jesus' disciples ask Him about the end times, including: the destruction of the Temple, His coming, and the end of the age. Jesus lets them know that no one will know the time in human history that these events will occur. Jesus reveals that the temple will be destroyed and rebuilt. Before the end of the age the gospel will be spread to all people groups and the Antichrist will come and perform the abomination of desolation. When these things have occurred Jesus will return in the sky with great power. Jesus then calls His believers to be on alert and ready for His second coming.

In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prays to the Father and through His prayer we figure out Jesus' mission. His mission was to drink the cup that His Father had given Him. The cup that Jesus was about to drink was taking on God's righteous judgment for the sins of all of humanity. This left Jesus with a terrifying mission but He turned to the Father for everything He needed. Like Jesus we will have many ?Gethsemane? moments where we need to choose if we are going to follow God's will for our life. We can look to Jesus' example. He was honest with the negative feelings He was experiencing and He firmly resolved to follow God's will in spite of His negative feelings.

Three unique events occurred during Jesus' crucifixion. The first event was darkness falling over the land for three hours during the middle of the day. During this three hours of darkness Jesus was experiencing God's wrath and judgment for humanities sins. The second event that occurred was the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. This curtain symbolized that God is Holy and we are unable to have access to Him. God tore the Temple curtain in two after Jesus' death because we now can have access to God through Jesus' perfect and final sacrifice. The third event was a powerful earthquake that revealed empty tombs. This event showed that Jesus being God had conquered the power of death for all who put their faith in Him.\r\n