Our second gathering was stimulated by a key question: Who is Jesus?
The collection of answers is quite remarkable, expressive, and inspired! It includes titles, identities, qualities, and actions. There is a thoughtfulness to this list that is striking. Perhaps that is because we were asked to consider who Jesus is to us.
Savior
Light of the World
Christ
Redeemer
Forgiver
Passageway to Heaven
Teacher
The Answer (to nearly every question)
Eraser of Sins
Guider of Light (goodness)
The Free Runner (unbounded in self-giving love)
Life-Giver
The Different King
Shepherd
Brother
God-With-Us
A Window Unto God
Healer
Listener
Miracle Worker
Creator
Liberating
Empowering
Giving
Kind
Helpful
Honorable
Legendary
Mighty
Hallowed
Holy
Loving
Friendly
Generous
Each word or name is deeply expressive, inviting us to further exploration. Which ones do you find most meaningful? Are there qualities here that reflect important values in your life?
Some interesting questions emerged along the way:
(a) If God is our Father, then isn't Jesus our Brother?
(b) What happened over the better part of thirty years, from Jesus' birth to the time he began his
ministry? In what ways did he grow? Did he become the Lord?
We will respond to these questions in some depth.
We were also asked to identify some of our favorite "Jesus stories." Here is what was shared:
--The Feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14)
--Jesus being baptized (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34)
--Jesus' birth (in two of the gospels: Matthew 1:18-25, and Luke 1:26-38;2:1-20)
--The Angel visiting Mary (Luke Chapter 1:26-38)
--Jesus healing a man born blind (John 9:1-41)
--"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9)
--Healing the woman bent over (Luke 13:10-17)
--Jesus and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
--Jesus reviving the dead (Luke 7:11-17; John 11:1-44)
We will take care to include all of these stories in our class, beginning with the Baptism of Jesus this week!
