BIBLE STUDY: JESUS. Period.
A. INTRODUCTION: Needless to say, my new book (My Jesus) is full of Bible verses as I dig into who Jesus was, what he stood for, and why he is urgent for today. This BIBLE STUDY SERIES is not a book review or book study. Instead, we will look at the verses I use chapter by chapter. The book is available in the Church or Church Office for $10. Checks should be made out to “FOCI”, or Venmo to @alida-ward. or go to FOCI.org and click on "Publications" to pay by credit card.
B. Chapter 1 has the inspiring title “Are We Bored Yet?” as I introduce the age-old “quest for the historical Jesus.” The cover itself, covering 1,400 years of religious art, proves that people have been trying to figure out, contextualize, and contemporize Jesus from day 1. Chapter 2 is “My Journey with Jesus”, one of two chapters that are autobiographical. From childhood to adulthood, from early in my career to today, who has Jesus been to me?
C. KEY VERSES
1. Hebrews 11:1 is the great definition of FAITH. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we cannot see.” Hebrews 13:18 declares “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” Yes, but we want surety, certainty, and the continuing of sameness. But we also want and need relevance. These two verses are a paradox that get to the heart of the matter. There is the deep theological concept of “the pre-existence of Christ” and the “Trinity”. This is what allows Christianity to still be monotheistic. Jesus isn’t a second God added on to the creator God of the Old Testament. He has been part and parcel of God even before creation. But it is also hard to fathom. Faith jumps us to help us over the bumps of doubt, skepticism, even disbelief. We reach for a Truth that deserves the capital “T”. To wit, God is at work through Christ for our benefit. And so, we work to find the reality of Jesus for our day and our times, a reality more vital than elusive theology. Hence, “My Jesus”.
2. VIRGIN BIRTH plus. John 1:1 and 14 are a poetic version of the Christmas story, minus shepherds and Wise Men. “In the beginning was the WORD, the Word was God... the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Our Old Testament God is unseen, a force, a spirit, made known by large events (Noah and the flood), large teachings (the 10 Commandments) and large people (Moses, Isaiah, and Daniel). That’s what scholars call “secondary sources”. Jesus, God in the flesh, is our primary source. Know Jesus, know God. In human form we see the spirit of God at work in ways we can relate to. The “Virgin Birth” is the means to make it happen, allowing Jesus’ DNA to be fully God, fully human. Yes, a mystery that requires faith to say “ok”, even with an eye-roll.
The “plus” part is Mary’s response to being the mother of Jesus. “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be so... my soul magnifies the Lord” (Luke 1:38, 46). This young, uneducated, poor girl accepts the challenge of God to become God’s magnifier! Like a magnifying glass, Mary promises to use her life as Jesus’ mother to make God clearer and larger. As I say somewhere in the book, “Jesus is the near end of God. We are the near end of Jesus.”
Two Events:
1. On Sunday, October 31st David begins his one sermon per month series, taking us through “My Jesus".
2. David’s Official Book Chat, Sunday, October 31, at 11:20 in the Sanctuary. Q&A for All!
