Teaching Notes

Many look at the cross and think Jesus must have been weak or else he would have fought to get down.  The truth is, Jesus was strong, and that is what kept him on the cross through the pain and anguish of what he suffered for you and I.

What Should I Know About Jesus?

Luke 13:31-35 (The Message)

Just then some Pharisees came up and said, "Run for your life! Herod's on the hunt. He's out to kill you!" Jesus said, "Tell that fox that I've no time for him right now. Today and tomorrow I'm busy clearing out the demons and healing the sick; the third day I'm wrapping things up. Besides, it's not proper for a prophet to come to a bad end outside Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killer of prophets, abuser of the messengers of God! How often I've longed to gather your children, gather your children like a hen, Her brood safe under her wings— but you refused and turned away! And now it's too late: You won't see me again until the day you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of God.'"

Notes: We continue to confront some of the wrong things believed about Jesus.  Today we touch on the belief that Jesus was a "pansy".  Oh we hear the songs about Jesus so meek and mild.  And we are painted a picture that Jesus was soft, sentimental, and effeminate.  However Jesus as a baby was meek and mild but as a grown man he was one with great strength, and that strength was under his control.

Question: What does these verses show us about Jesus?

Answer: Jesus was willing to stand up to others because he knew who he was.  We know about the time he went into the temple to single-handedly drive out crooked merchants.  No one dared protest or fight because they were aware of the authority they stood before.  They were aware of the power of God in Jesus.  In these verses the Pharisees are telling Jesus to runaway because Herod is seeking his life.  Jesus response is, I don't have time for him.  He begins to tell them what his schedule is.  If you were running scared of someone, would you tell them where to find you?  Jesus was not afraid of what the king or the people could do to him.  He was one with the power and authority of God and he was living that out.  He also knew that his time would not be cut short.  It would be fulfilled in his life what God had planned to happen.

This is a reminder for you and I that we too can know that if we are about our Father's business, we too do not have to worry about authorities because God will keep us so that we can finish what he planned for our lives.  So what should we know about Jesus?  Jesus is not a weak, sickly looking man that is sometimes pictured.  He was a man of strength and authority.  He was (and is) the Son of God.  Jesus was not afraid of the powers or authority and he would quite often call the people out.  Jesus was strength, strength under control.

Prayer: Lord, while you call for us to be humble under your power, you also will make us bold and gives us strength to stand against those things that would stop us from doing your will.  You will give us strength, but you will also give us the ability to control ourselves and speak when you say speak, and to be quiet when you say be quiet.  Today, help me to find the strength in your Spirit.