Who Do I say Jesus is_ - Google Docs
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Apr 3, 2024
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1 Who Do You Say Jesus Is? Ellen E. Joseph Grand Canyon University CWV-101: Christian Worldview Amanda Jenkins September 26, 2022
2 Part 1: Teaching Of Jesus In Luke chapter fifteen verses one through seven, Jesus tells the story of a shepherd and his sheep. In the parable, Jesus depicts a scene where a shepherd has all of his sheep in safety except for one. Instead of abandoning the one sheep, the shepherd went in search of it to bring it to safety. In Luke chapter fifteen verses eight through ten, Jesus shares the story of a woman and her coins. Like the story of the lost sheep, one of her coins goes missing. Instead of forgetting about the coin, the woman carefully inspects the house until she finds it. Lastly, in Luke chapter fifteen verses eleven through thirty-two, Jesus shares a story of a man who had two sons, one of which asked for his share in the estate. After receiving the share, the son traveled and became lost. When the man's son returned to his father, instead of pushing him away, his father rejoiced with him and gave him gifts. However, the older son was angry because he was obedient yet did not receive gifts from his father. But the father explained to him that he is always with the son and because of that everything he has is his son’s. All of these parables have the same underlying theme: there is something that is lost or misplaced, this item is then found or returned home, then the person who possesses the item celebrates the lost item. This common theme represents the restoration of relationships. Jesus brings to light the very important point that “these parables introduce the importance of sinners for Jesus, and thus for disciples” (Smith, 2021, Para.3). An atheist might look at these stories and think “why bother?” For them, they may not understand the point of trying to find one last thing when you have ninety-nine other perfectly good things. Someone with an atheistic Worldview may think that this passage is foolish and holds no real relevance in the World. An atheist may further misinterpret this passage as a parable of warning to keep a close watch over your items. However, when a reader begins to look at this from a Christian Worldview, the teaching actually reveals a significant amount about Jesus. This
3 significance is revealed by Brock (2021) stating that “the parable pictures God‘s desire to find sinners and bring them back into the fold.” And from a Christian Worldview God and Jesus are one. Jesus supports this idea in Luke chapter 15 verse seven saying “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents and over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent.” This further reveals that Jesus is loving and forgiving even when we are lost. To Jesus, no one person is beyond forgetting because he will keep searching till every last person is brought to safety in His kingdom. Part 2: Claim That Jesus Made About His Nature Matthew nine verses one through eight, tells the parable of Jesus healing a paralyzed man. In the story, Jesus tells a paralyzed man seeking healing that he is forgiven of his sins. Rebelliously, some of the teachers thought that Jesus was Blasphemous. Jesus explains that he has the authority to forgive sins on earth. So, he forgave the man of his sins and healed him of his paralysis. The men who doubted knew that Jesus had authority by witnessing this miracle. This passage reveals and emphasizes Jesus’s authority to forgive man’s sins. He then emphasizes man’s need for His ministry by showing that we need the forgiveness of our sins more than we could ever need physical healing. And when Jesus shows his authority to heal, he also reveals his authority to forgive us of our sins. Whitacre (2010) tells readers that “by performing a sign that is empirically verifiable, Jesus argues that he is God's authorized agent and therefore has authority to forgive sins.” This claim is so significant because without his forgiveness there is no hope of salvation. No one in this World can forgive us except for Jesus because God has granted Jesus the authority to forgive. What we, most importantly, should take away from this passage is that “we must abide in God, and ask Him to help us see with Kingdom eyes” (Hooper, 2012, Para.5).
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4 By asking following Jesus’s commands and confessing our sins he can help us see the World and our lives in a different, divine, light. Part 3: Personal Answer To Question About Jesus When asked who I say Jesus is, my immediate reaction is to exclaim that Jesus is the love of my life and life itself. This reply puzzles people. However, when you truly give your life to Christ everything about him is revealed to you. Jesus is just, compassionate, loving, a healer, and Savior of the World. It is impossible to put into words everything that Jesus is to me because as John said if we were to write down all the works of Jesus there would not be enough books in the World. Most of all, Jesus is the one who sets me free. Without his death and resurrection, I would live life enslaved by sin. But because Jesus died for my sins I am able to live the life that I do not deserve. Jesus watches me sin over and over; yet, loves me abundantly. He loves me in my darkest moments more than I could ever possibly love him. Such a love is a love that I can not even begin to find in the flesh. But I will see it in the throne that He and His father have created in Heaven. This exercise has further clarified my beliefs by showing me that He does love me no matter what. Like the story of the shepherd, when I am lost he will search to the ends of the earth to find me. He will search the ends of the earth for that sheep. And that is sometimes something I fail to remember. This activity has also reminded me that I can only be forgiven through Him because His authority is granted by God Himself.
5 References Bock, D. L. (2010). Luke (The Ivp New Testament Commentary Series, Volume 3)
. The IVP New Testament Commentary. Hooper, J. (2012, June 25). Jesus Heals The Paralyzed Man (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12). https://bible.org/seriespage/6-jesus-heals-paralyzed-man-matthew-91-8-mark-21-12 Keener, C. S. (2011)
. Matthew (Vol. 1, Ser. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series). The IVP New Testament Commentary. Smith, M. J. (2021, February 24)
. Commentary On Luke 15:1-32. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/lost-sheep-coin-son/ commentary-on-luke-151-32-3#:~:text=Commentary%20on%20Luke%2015%3A1-32% 20This%20collection%20of%20three,and%20one%20object%20of%20exchange%20nec essary%20for%20living.