WHAT KIND OF PERSON WAS JESUS?

What Jesus said and did while on earth helps us to get to know him well.  More than that, through Jesus we come to know Jehovah better. Why is this the case?  Recall that this Son is a perfect reflection of his Father.  That is why Jesus told one of his disciples:  "He that has seen me has seen the Father also." (John 14:9)  The four Bible books known as the Gospels-Matthew, Mark, Luke and John-tells us much about the life, activity,and personal qualities of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was well-known as "Teacher."  (John 1:38; 13:13)  What did he teach? Primarily, his message was "the good news of the kingdom"-that is, God's Kingdom, the heavenly government that will rule over the entire earth and will bring endless blessings to obedient humans. (Matthew 4:23) Whose message was this?  Jesus himself said:  "What I teach is not mine, but belongs to him that sent me," namely, Jehovah. (John 7:16) Jesus knew that his Father wants humans to hear about the good news of the Kingdom. In Chapter 8, we will learn more about God's Kingdom and what it will accomplish. 

Where did Jesus do his teaching?  Everywhere he found people-in the countryside as well as in cities, in villages, in marketplaces, and in their homes.  Jesus did not expect people to come to him.  He went to them. (Mark 6:56; Luke 19:5, 6) Why did Jesus go to such lengths and spend so much of his time preaching?  Because doing so was God's will for him. Jesus always did his Father's will.  (John 8:28, 29)  But there was another reason why he preached.  He felt compassion for the crowds of people who came out to see him. (Matthew 0:35, 36)  They were neglected by their religious leaders, who should have been teaching them the truth about God and his purposes.  Jesus knew how much the people needed to hear the Kingdom message. 

Jesus was a man of tender warmth and deep feelings.  Others thus found him to be approachable and kind. Even children felt at ease with him. (Mark 10:13-16) Jesus was impartial. He hated corruption and injustice.  (Matthew  21:12, 13)  At a time when women received little respect and had few privileges, he treated them with dignity.  (John 4:9, 27)  Jesus was genuinely humble.  On one occasion, he washed the feet of his apostles, a service usually performed by a lowly servant.  

Jesus was sensitive to the needs of others.  this was especially evident when, under the power of God's spirit, he performed miracles of healing. (Matthew 14:14)  For example, a man with leprosy came to Jesus and said:  "If  you just want to, you can make me clean."  Jesus personally felt this man's pain and suffering.  Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched the man,  saying:  I want to. Be made clean."  and the sick man, healed! (Mark 1:40=-42)  Can you imagine  how that man must have felt?  

Next time: FAITHFUL TO THE END

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006