Jesus - the One I love Let’s get to discuss a bit The Character of the One we love to follow His Creativity His Depth His Righteousness His Psychological insight His Compassion

1. Follow MeFollow Me
There is a time to talk and a time to keep silentThere is a time to talk and a time to keep silent
Young Couples Retreat March 2011:Young Couples Retreat March 2011:
Ehab RoufailEhab Roufail

2. OutlineOutline
Let’s get to discuss a bit The CharacterLet’s get to discuss a bit The Character
of the One we love to followof the One we love to follow
 His CreativityHis Creativity
 His DepthHis Depth
 His RighteousnessHis Righteousness
 His Psychological insightHis Psychological insight
 His CompassionHis Compassion

3. His CreativityHis Creativity
 Intellect and Creativity.Intellect and Creativity. His sayings have fascinated andHis sayings have fascinated and
challenged the greatest minds in history.challenged the greatest minds in history.
 Displayed in HisDisplayed in His wonderful use of words.wonderful use of words. When HisWhen His
sayings are restored to their original Aramaic, many havesayings are restored to their original Aramaic, many have
poetical features, including parallelism, rhythm, and even rhymepoetical features, including parallelism, rhythm, and even rhyme
 Our Lord‘sOur Lord‘s parablesparables are masterful creations combining utmostare masterful creations combining utmost
simplicity with profound depth. They present scenes familiar tosimplicity with profound depth. They present scenes familiar to
common people. As a result, they are accessible to everycommon people. As a result, they are accessible to every
audience.audience.
 All His sayings areAll His sayings are conciseconcise andand well moldedwell molded..
 His use of metaphors and in compressing ideas into a fewHis use of metaphors and in compressing ideas into a few
words waswords was geniusgenius. By a few quick strokes He could transform. By a few quick strokes He could transform
complex truth into an effective word painting.complex truth into an effective word painting.

4. His Debating skillHis Debating skill
 Which of us in debate does not fumble around for the rightWhich of us in debate does not fumble around for the right
argument?argument?
 Yet, even when His enemies pressed Him savagely or tried toYet, even when His enemies pressed Him savagely or tried to
trap Him, Jesus found the right argument instantly and withtrap Him, Jesus found the right argument instantly and with
ease.ease.
 His intellectual self-possession was remarkable. As a boy, HeHis intellectual self-possession was remarkable. As a boy, He
confounded the religious teachers in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-50).confounded the religious teachers in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-50).
 As a man, He could in a few words silence the shrewdestAs a man, He could in a few words silence the shrewdest
adversary (Matt. 22:22, 33, 46)adversary (Matt. 22:22, 33, 46)
 He was straight to the point and fashioned the truth to fit simpleHe was straight to the point and fashioned the truth to fit simple
statements that everyone could understand and remember.statements that everyone could understand and remember.

5. His DepthHis Depth
 Nothing in the nonbiblical writings of man is comparable to theNothing in the nonbiblical writings of man is comparable to the
Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).
 For thousands of years men have revered, studied, andFor thousands of years men have revered, studied, and
debated this short homily, but have failed to exhaust itsdebated this short homily, but have failed to exhaust its
treasures, though it contains less than three thousand words.treasures, though it contains less than three thousand words.
 It is a work of exceeding brilliance in itsIt is a work of exceeding brilliance in its
– structure,structure,
– economy,economy,
– vividness,vividness,
– use of metaphor,use of metaphor,
– originality,originality,
– and moral insight.and moral insight.

6. His RighteousnessHis Righteousness
During the days of His ministry, the only charges thatDuring the days of His ministry, the only charges that
Jesus' enemies brought against His character wereJesus' enemies brought against His character were
these:these:
 He ate with publicans (tax collectors) and sinnersHe ate with publicans (tax collectors) and sinners
(Matt. 9:10-13).(Matt. 9:10-13).
 He disregarded Sabbath law by healing on theHe disregarded Sabbath law by healing on the
Sabbath and by allowing His disciples to pluckSabbath and by allowing His disciples to pluck
handfuls of grain on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-13).handfuls of grain on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-13).
 He did healings by the power of the devil (Matt.He did healings by the power of the devil (Matt.
12:24).12:24).

7. His RighteousnessHis Righteousness
 His disciples failed to wash their hands before eatingHis disciples failed to wash their hands before eating
bread (Matt. 15:2).bread (Matt. 15:2).
 At His trial, His enemies raised a charge of sedition,At His trial, His enemies raised a charge of sedition,
but this was dismissed by the Roman governor, Pilatebut this was dismissed by the Roman governor, Pilate
(Luke 23:2-4).(Luke 23:2-4).
 His life, though scrutinized by bitter enemies, yieldedHis life, though scrutinized by bitter enemies, yielded
no hint of covetousness or scandal. He was able in ano hint of covetousness or scandal. He was able in a
public forum to challenge His enemies with thepublic forum to challenge His enemies with the
question, "Which of you convincts me of sin?" (Johnquestion, "Which of you convincts me of sin?" (John
8:46).8:46).

8. His PsychologicalHis Psychological
insightinsight
 Our Lord on earth was a man who understood people.Our Lord on earth was a man who understood people.
His dealings with them were never bumbling or inept.His dealings with them were never bumbling or inept.
 He always knew exactly what nuance to assume inHe always knew exactly what nuance to assume in
His speech and manner.His speech and manner.
 With the proud He was abrupt and penetrating (JohnWith the proud He was abrupt and penetrating (John
3:1-10), but with the humble He was gentle and3:1-10), but with the humble He was gentle and
patient (Matt. 8:2-3).patient (Matt. 8:2-3).
 He uncovers the sordid past of the Samaritan womanHe uncovers the sordid past of the Samaritan woman
by prodding her into speaking the truth herself, so thatby prodding her into speaking the truth herself, so that
she will feel ashamed rather than defensive (John 4:5-she will feel ashamed rather than defensive (John 4:5-
42).42).

9. His PsychologicalHis Psychological
insightinsight
 Though He has warm feelings for the rich young ruler,Though He has warm feelings for the rich young ruler,
He greets him with a hard demand, for He perceivesHe greets him with a hard demand, for He perceives
that the man is motivated by challenge.that the man is motivated by challenge.
 The man says, in essence, that he has mastered allThe man says, in essence, that he has mastered all
the difficult requirements of the law, so Jesus laysthe difficult requirements of the law, so Jesus lays
down an even more difficult requirement, the one mostdown an even more difficult requirement, the one most
helpful to his spiritual growth.helpful to his spiritual growth.
 He tells the man to give up earthly possessions andHe tells the man to give up earthly possessions and
comecome follow mefollow me(Mark 10:17-27).(Mark 10:17-27).

10. His CompassionHis Compassion
Yet another quality of Jesus' mind was compassion.Yet another quality of Jesus' mind was compassion.
 He defended the poor and oppressed (Luke 6:20-21;He defended the poor and oppressed (Luke 6:20-21;
14:12-14).14:12-14).
 He bestowed His blessing upon children (Luke 18:15-He bestowed His blessing upon children (Luke 18:15-
17; notice also, in Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 and Luke 7:11-17; notice also, in Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 and Luke 7:11-
17, that two of the three persons He raised from the17, that two of the three persons He raised from the
dead were young).dead were young).
 Through His healing ministry, He brought relief toThrough His healing ministry, He brought relief to
multitudes of the sick, disabled, and possessed.multitudes of the sick, disabled, and possessed.
 He was moved with concern for the gathering crowdsHe was moved with concern for the gathering crowds
lost in darkness (Matt. 9:35-38).lost in darkness (Matt. 9:35-38).

11. His CompassionHis Compassion
 He gave unstinting love and kindness even to totalHe gave unstinting love and kindness even to total
outcasts.outcasts.
 Samaritans.Samaritans. These were a people of mixed race,These were a people of mixed race,
part Israelite and part gentile. Pure-blooded Jews sawpart Israelite and part gentile. Pure-blooded Jews saw
Samaritans as the scum of the earth. Yet one of theSamaritans as the scum of the earth. Yet one of the
first with whom Jesus shared the good news that Hefirst with whom Jesus shared the good news that He
was the Christ was the woman at the well in Samariawas the Christ was the woman at the well in Samaria
(John 4:3-30). In the Parable of the Good Samaritan,(John 4:3-30). In the Parable of the Good Samaritan,
Jesus used a Samaritan to epitomize brotherly loveJesus used a Samaritan to epitomize brotherly love
(Luke 10:25-37).(Luke 10:25-37).

12. His CompassionHis Compassion
 Tax Collectors.Tax Collectors. The Jews paid taxes to fellowThe Jews paid taxes to fellow
countrymen hired by the Romans. These publicanscountrymen hired by the Romans. These publicans
were objects of general scorn. Others viewed them aswere objects of general scorn. Others viewed them as
no better than common thieves, even as traitors tono better than common thieves, even as traitors to
their own people. Yet Jesus called Matthew the taxtheir own people. Yet Jesus called Matthew the tax
collector to be His disciple, and He honored anothercollector to be His disciple, and He honored another
one, Zacchaeus, by visiting his home (Luke 19:1-10).one, Zacchaeus, by visiting his home (Luke 19:1-10).
 Immoral women.Immoral women. Jesus allowed a woman of illJesus allowed a woman of ill
repute to wash His feet with tears of repentance (Lukerepute to wash His feet with tears of repentance (Luke
7:36-50).7:36-50).

13. His CompassionHis Compassion
 Common criminals.Common criminals. Two thieves were crucifiedTwo thieves were crucified
along with Jesus. Jesus promised the repentant thiefalong with Jesus. Jesus promised the repentant thief
that He would take him to Paradise (Luke 23:39-43).that He would take him to Paradise (Luke 23:39-43).
 Lepers.Lepers. In obedience to the law of Moses, the JewsIn obedience to the law of Moses, the Jews
forced all lepers to live apart from society. Yet Jesusforced all lepers to live apart from society. Yet Jesus
did not hesitate to meet them and heal them. He wasdid not hesitate to meet them and heal them. He was
even willing, as a sign of His healing power, to reacheven willing, as a sign of His healing power, to reach
out and touch a leper (Mark 1:40-42).out and touch a leper (Mark 1:40-42).
 Demoniacs.Demoniacs. Because they were feared, they wereBecause they were feared, they were
social outcasts as well. But Lord Jesus liberates themsocial outcasts as well. But Lord Jesus liberates them
from the oppression of tormenting spirits.from the oppression of tormenting spirits.

14. His CompassionHis Compassion
 The poor.The poor. The Pharisees thought that if a man wasThe Pharisees thought that if a man was
righteous, God made him wealthy and successful. So,righteous, God made him wealthy and successful. So,
they assumed that poverty was evidence of God'sthey assumed that poverty was evidence of God's
disfavor. Yet Jesus said that God had anointed Him todisfavor. Yet Jesus said that God had anointed Him to
preach the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18), and Hepreach the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18), and He
said also, "Blessed be ye poor" (Luke 6:20).said also, "Blessed be ye poor" (Luke 6:20).
 The Widows.The Widows. He raised from the dead the widowsHe raised from the dead the widows
son and pointed out the sacrificial love of a widowsson and pointed out the sacrificial love of a widows
offering of two coinsoffering of two coins
 The OrphansThe Orphans. He taught the Our Father prayer so. He taught the Our Father prayer so
that all know we our sons and daughters of God.that all know we our sons and daughters of God.

15. But why was he soBut why was he so
silent in His trialsilent in His trial
 Listen to this ...Listen to this ...
 1. When was Jesus silent?1. When was Jesus silent?
 2. When did he speak?2. When did he speak?
 3. When does he tell us to be silent?3. When does he tell us to be silent?
 4. And when does he tell us to speak?4. And when does he tell us to speak?

16. Jesus was silentJesus was silent
before hisbefore his
accusersaccusers
Mark 14:53-65Mark 14:53-65
 (v55) “the chief priests and the whole(v55) “the chief priests and the whole
Sanhedrin were looking for evidence againstSanhedrin were looking for evidence against
Jesus so that they could put him to death.”Jesus so that they could put him to death.”
 Many people came forward telling storiesMany people came forward telling stories
about Jesus that would give a reason for himabout Jesus that would give a reason for him
to be put to death. But as another story wasto be put to death. But as another story was
told it became clear that these things weretold it became clear that these things were
complete fabrications, a pack of lies.complete fabrications, a pack of lies.

17. Jesus was silentJesus was silent
before hisbefore his
accusersaccusers
57 Then some stood up and gave this false57 Then some stood up and gave this false
testimony against him: 58 “We heard himtestimony against him: 58 “We heard him
say, ‘I will destroy this temple made withsay, ‘I will destroy this temple made with
human hands and in three days will buildhuman hands and in three days will build
another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet evenanother, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even
then their testimony did not agree.then their testimony did not agree.
What Jesus actually said was:What Jesus actually said was:
““Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again inDestroy this temple, and I will raise it again in
three days.” (John 2:19)three days.” (John 2:19)

18. Jesus was silentJesus was silent
before hisbefore his
accusersaccusers
 So this was twisting Jesus’ words, he wasn’tSo this was twisting Jesus’ words, he wasn’t
talking about Herod’s temple, he was talkingtalking about Herod’s temple, he was talking
about himself. And he didn’t say he wasabout himself. And he didn’t say he was
going to destroy it, he said ifgoing to destroy it, he said if they destroyed itthey destroyed it
he would raise it uphe would raise it up again.again.
 How do we react when people say thingsHow do we react when people say things
about us that aren’t true?about us that aren’t true?

19. Jesus was silentJesus was silent
before hisbefore his
accusersaccusers
 When people accuse us falsely we want toWhen people accuse us falsely we want to
correct them just to save face but Jesus herecorrect them just to save face but Jesus here
has a bit more at stake than his reputation.has a bit more at stake than his reputation.
 They are plotting to kill him, this false testimonyThey are plotting to kill him, this false testimony
claiming that he said he would pull downclaiming that he said he would pull down
Herod’s temple could be interpreted as treasonHerod’s temple could be interpreted as treason
and could get him killed.and could get him killed.
 Yet Jesus says nothing. Why just roll over andYet Jesus says nothing. Why just roll over and
take it? Why didn’t Jesus stand up for himself?take it? Why didn’t Jesus stand up for himself?

20. Jesus was silentJesus was silent
before hisbefore his
accusersaccusers
 His secret mission was to die for us – so HeHis secret mission was to die for us – so He
did not defend Himselfdid not defend Himself
Isaiah prophesied this centuries before:Isaiah prophesied this centuries before:
He was oppressed and afflicted,He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.so he did not open his mouth.
(Isaiah 53:7)(Isaiah 53:7)