Learning Jesus

As a parent, we are constantly learning our children. From the time they are tee-niney we watch them sleep, eat, breathe, play. And we learn based on their reactions and actions. We teach them but we learn them at the same time.

And for me reading any of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) helps me learn Jesus. Never can I fully understand Jesus this side of heaven. But in reading accounts of his life while here on this earth I am learning so much about him. If we believe the Bible is true then we have an amazing source in our hands. A source that tells us how Jesus reacts to people. How he spends his time. What his purpose in life is. And how he strategically unfolds that purpose. Jesus is one of the most fascinating people to get to know.

I’m in a small group and we’re reading through Luke with the She Reads Truth community. We are taking each week and answering the question What did I learn about Jesus? I can’t believe how much I am learning about him. New stuff that I didn’t catch the other times I’ve read through Luke. Stuf that seems to hit me right where I am in life. Words that I need to hear right now.

I’m learning that Jesus is so compassionate. And he was drawn to the people that were often overlooked. He is for the underdog, the sinner. And we all are (the underdog and sinner) so this is incredibly great news. Jesus is super focused in his purpose and strategic in accomplishing it. Often he restates his purpose and says it in different ways. But I’m learning that Jesus was not territorial. He was about anything that pointed to his Father and so if others were doing so he was glad for that. He had to call his disciples out on this because they were not of the same mindset initially. I’m learning that Jesus is understanding and even though he doesn’t have to provide extra comforts for us he does out of grace and love. The disciples were scared spitless on that boat when the storm came and tossed it all over the place. Jesus was asleep but then settles the storm at his voice command. This scared the disciples even more. Jesus told them not to be afraid. But he also took them back to the harbor “that they longed for”. He didn’t have to do that. But he knew they wanted off that water and on dry land. And he accommodated them through compassion. I think that’s incredibly endearing. I love him for that.

I love learning Jesus. I love that we can read the same thing and still come away learning something new or different about Jesus. Are you wanting to get to know Jesus? Starting in a Gospel is a great way to see into Jesus. Look for how he treated people. What kinds of people he was drawn to. What impressed Jesus? What made him mad? These are great questions to ask as you read scripture to help you get to know the God of the Universe intimately.