He Gets Us: Who Did Jesus Say He Was? | Plan 5Sample

He wants us to get him.

When people first met Jesus, some were impressed; others were just curious. The manner of Jesus’ life was so different, no one would deny.

Some were open to what Jesus taught; others got angry or defensive. A few walked away.

Some followed him for the show. What’s your next trick, Jesus? He was doing something outside of traditional religion, that was for sure.

There were some honest skeptics among them, with real questions. Still, some were already convinced when his life matched his words.

This man walked a single path. He taught a revolutionary message. He loved like nobody else they had ever met.

It was the first century. If you asked anyone in Israel about Jesus, they had likely heard of him. In just three years he became the famous, next-door rabbi who captured the heart of a nation. Anyone would tell you Jesus did things a little radically, reason enough why he was both loved and hated.

Listen to what he taught—it’s like truth that they had heard their whole lives but now on a whole new level.

Watch how he treated people—some thought it was scandalous the way he invited just anyone and everyone to follow him. Some thought he lacked discretion on who he welcomed to the table, but if you were the one so lucky to sit next to him, you would say he changed your whole life.

And have you heard him pray? It was like he was right there talking face to face with his dad. No one had ever prayed like that before.

Nothing about Jesus was as people expected. To be honest, no one expected this hometown rabbi to pay attention to the fringe—the lost, the wounded, the one barely hanging on. But he did. No one expected him to serve anyone in need. Yet there he was, helping people everywhere he went.

Neither did anyone expect the wind to listen when he ordered it to hush. Or for thousands to be fed from a boy’s lunch of fish and bread. Or for bodies ravaged by severed spinal cords, detached retinas, and ovarian cancer to be made whole in a snap. No one dreamed their dead child would sit beside them again at the supper table. But all that happened.

Who is this guy? Who is Jesus? Maybe you’ve wondered that too. Sure, we’ve all heard stories, but once and for all, let’s get the truth right from the source.

In one book of the Bible, the Gospel of John, Jesus described himself seven different ways. Each time he painted a word picture. He said, “I am... bread, I am... a shepherd, I am... the vine.” Each picture is fascinating and bold, with plenty of room for questions and exploration.

He wants us to know him. The real Jesus invited those he met to “come and see” (John 1:39). He invites us to come and see also. And he invites us to follow him.

Not only does he get us. He wants us to get him.