Session 4 - Who is Jesus

Ice-breaker

You are directing a film on the life of Jesus. How would you tell the actor to play him?

The Bible does not tell us what Jesus looked like. It does tell us what he said and did, and who he really is. Let's look at what the Bible says.

He was expected

For hundreds of years the Jewish people had been expecting a Messiah (Greek 'Christ' or 'anointed one').

Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament predictions of the Messiah - see Luke 24:44-48.

His disciples recognised him as the Messiah - see Mark 8:27-29.

But he wasn't quite what the Jewish people were hoping for. They were looking forward to a 'political' king who would deliver them from the rule of the occupying Roman forces. Jesus talked about a different kind of 'kingdom'. See what he says in Luke 17:20-21.

He was a human being

Jesus was as human as we are. Piece together his life-story from what you already know:

Whatever ups and downs we go through in life, Jesus identifies with us. You may like to reflect on this.

He is the Son of God

God himself announced this to the world in Luke 3:21-22. Here we see Jesus at the start of his public ministry, being confirmed by God as his Son.

However, now read John 1:1-2, and then verse 14. Who was 'the Word'?

This means that Jesus did not just exist for thirty-three years on earth, but as God's Son, he existed from the very beginning as one person of the Trinity.

There is a mystery here, but it is important to keep in balance the Christian understanding that Jesus is both man and God. There is a separate teaching supplement on the Trinity in the Appendices which you may find helpful.

He shows us what God is like

Jesus only did the things he saw his Father doing (John 14:10). If we look at the way he related to people and the things that he did, we will see that he is showing us God's character and concerns.

Think of a familiar story from the Gospels. What does it say you about God's character as seen in Jesus?

He died in our place

Jesus' trial revolved around the claim that he was the Son of God. Read Luke 22:70-71.

Yet he was executed as a common criminal. Was this meant to happen, or was it a terrible mistake?

In Mark 9:30-31 we see that Jesus knew exactly what lay ahead.

Acts 2:23 tells us that this was in fact God's plan, from the beginning.

Working out the purpose of Jesus' death is crucial to our understanding of Christianity.

It will help to read the story of Barabbas, in Mark 15:6-15. Here we see an innocent man taking the punishment for a guilty man.

What does Romans 3:23 tell us about the difference between Barabbas and us?

Jesus didn't just take Barabbas' place. He took ours. This is summed up in Romans 5:7-8.

Sin is the major barrier that separates us from God. By paying the penalty for our sin, Jesus becomes the bridge by which we can cross from death to life. The bridge illustration will help you discuss this further.

Jesus is alive!

Jesus' resurrection from the dead is central to the Christian faith. There were many eyewitnesses at the time to affirm the truth of what the Bible teaches. It is not a fantasy or a cleverly devised story, but based on authenticated reports, as can be seen in 1 Corinthians 15:3-6.

Think about the significance of the resurrection:

What does it tell us about Jesus?

What does it tell us about death? (This will be covered more fully in a later session.)

What does it tell us about the possibility of a relationship with Jesus today?

The experience of meeting the risen Jesus changed the lives of the first Christians dramatically. It still has the power to do the same for us today.

Your choice

Read John 3:16-17. Let it speak to you about God's love and Jesus' sacrifice.

Look at the bridge illustration. Where are you on the bridge to life? If you are still hesitating about crossing over, think about what is stopping you.

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