MEETING JESUS

by Lead Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem (joel@lordoflife.org)

Who is Jesus? That’s an important question for each of us who consider him to be important in some way or another in our lives of faith. How we answer this question uncovers what we think about God, faith, ethics, and life in profound ways. The gospels give us insight as to how to answer the question. • Jesus is a teacher. (Matthew 5:2) • Jesus is a healer. (Mark 10:52) • Jesus is a storyteller. (Luke 15:11-32) • Jesus is a prophet. (Matthew 21:11) • Jesus is the Son of God. (Mark 15:39) • Jesus is the Christ. (Mark 8:29)

MEETING JESUS .......................................................2-3 BIBLE 101: FREEING JESUS......................................4-5 community life / Mark 10:17-22..................... 6-7 FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN .............................. 8-9 Hello, Neighbor! Kickoff Weekend............... 10-11 COntact Us .................................................................11 • Jesus is a friend. (John 11:11) • Jesus even says he is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) • He says he is a gate (John 10:7), a shepherd (John 10:11), and a hen (Matthew 23:37). In his book Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg writes, “Images of Jesus matter . . . [T]here is a strong connection between images of Jesus and images of the Christian life. Our image of Jesus affects our perception of the Christian life in two ways: it gives shape to the Christian life; and it can make Christianity credible or incredible.” Whether or not you grew up in the church, it’s very likely that you’ve been aware of Jesus since childhood. Your images of Jesus began to take shape from an early age. Do you still think of Jesus the same way as you’ve grown older or has your answer to the question “Who is Jesus?” changed? In 1 Corinthians 13:11, Paul wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when

prophet Son of God storyteller teacher healer the Christfriend the way, the truth, and the life a gate a hen a shepherd

I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.” While our childhood images of Jesus are important, it is equally important for us to continue to grow, learn, and mature as we continue to meet Jesus all along life’s journey. Jesus keeps meeting us day in and day out. It’s often in surprising ways. Just as the two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus on the very first Easter evening were surprised to meet Jesus (see Luke 24:13-35), you may be surprised at when and how Jesus meets you today. Always remember this: as the Savior of the world, Jesus has saved you. You do not need to worry one iota about that part of who Jesus is and what he came to do. Jesus loves you. Jesus has saved you. And Jesus calls you to follow him, to meet him in your daily life, and to love God and neighbor.