Jesus Christ

􀁊 Jesus Christ: King, Messiah, Servant, Savior,
Son of God. In each of the four Gospels, Jesus
Christ is the central focus, but each Gospel highlights
a slightly different aspect of his significance. Matthew
presents Jesus as the King of kings and the long-awaited
Jewish Messiah. Mark presents Jesus as the Servant of
God. Luke presents Jesus as the Savior of the entire world,
and John presents Jesus as the unique Son of God who
reveals the Father to us. All of these portraits of Jesus
are important (and true), and the differences between
the Gospel accounts can be attributed to the different
elements of Jesus’ character and ministry that they are

highlighting.
􀁊 Jesus’ Teachings. In addition to learning about
who Jesus is, the four Gospels give us direct access to what
Jesus taught throughout his ministry. Jesus spoke often
about the Kingdom of God (or Kingdom of Heaven), and
how it differs from the kingdom of this world. He often
taught using parables, giving profound truths through ordinary
stories. He taught his disciples about the Holy Spirit,
who would come to indwell and empower them after his
death and resurrection. His teachings form an important
foundation for the things his followers would write in the
rest of the New Testament. The teachings of Jesus are alternatively
challenging and comforting; make sure that you
allow all of what he taught to penetrate your heart and life.

􀁊 Jesus’ Miracles. Jesus demonstrated power over
sickness, nature, demons, and even death many times
in his ministry. But this wasn’t just a way to show everyone
how powerful he was, or a flashy way to gain more
followers—Jesus’ miracles show his profound love and
compassion for people. Certainly his miracles are proof
that he is the Son of God, but they also prove that he sees
the needs of his people and has both the power and the
will to help them. This is no less true today—become a
person of prayer and watch God transform you and the
world around you through his power.
􀁊 Spreading the Gospel. Jesus went all over the land
of Israel spreading the message of the Kingdom of God, but
even that wasn’t enough. Several times, Jesus went beyond
the borders of his nation to share the Good News with
Gentiles and even the hated Samaritans. And his message
was given to all sorts of people—blind beggars, wealthy
merchants, social outcasts, powerful religious leaders,
fishermen, Roman soldiers, widows, children, immoral
people, and scrupulous Pharisees. The Good News is for
all people, and eternal life is offered to all who will believe
in the Son and the Father who sent him. What part can you
play in spreading this Good News to all people?


􀁊 Resurrection. The story of Jesus’ life doesn’t end
with his death—in many ways it only begins there. His
resurrection shouts loudly about the power of God and
the Good News that our sins have been forgiven, and death
has been defeated. Allow the truth of the Resurrection
to penetrate your life, and see what God will do in and
through you as you follow Jesus.