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		<title>Part 5: Jesus the Giver of Hope, Peace, Joy, Purpose, and Eternal Life</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2009 15:53:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 5 in a 5-part series, Investigate: Who is Jesus.
The last chapter of Luke gives a clear account of the fantastic miracle of the resurrection. After Jesus’ crucifixion his disciples were afraid of the Jews. While they continued to meet, they did so in secret. Suddenly, Jesus came to them.
C.S. Lewis, a famous [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is part 5 in a 5-part series, <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy/" target="_self">Investigate: Who is Jesus</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong>The last chapter of Luke gives a clear account</strong> of the fantastic miracle of the resurrection. After Jesus’ crucifixion his disciples were afraid of the Jews. While they continued to meet, they did so in secret. Suddenly, Jesus came to them.</p>
<p>C.S. Lewis, a famous writer and Christian, wrote:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“The New Testament writers speak as if Christ’s achievement in rising from the dead was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe. He has forced open a door that has been locked since the death of the first man. He has met, fought and beaten the king of death.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>A. The Resurrection</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.</em></p>
<p><em>When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.</em></p>
<p><em>Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”</em></p>
<p><em>He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.</em> &#8211; Luke 24:1-53</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>How do you think the disciples felt after seeing Jesus crucified?</li>
</ul>
<p>News began to reach them that Jesus was alive again. The disciples’ reaction shows that they did not expect this. They thought the story was nonsense (v.11). The two on the road said that they were surprised by the news (v.22) and Jesus himself confirmed that they had doubts in their minds (v.38). Nevertheless, various people became convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead.</p>
<ul>
<li>What convinced the women? (24:5-8)</li>
<li>What convinced the two people on the road? (24:25-32)</li>
<li>What convinced the group of disciples? (24:33-43)</li>
<li>How did the disciples’ attitude toward Jesus change? (24:52,53)</li>
</ul>
<p>The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the climax of his life’s work. Jesus rose from the dead as he said he would. This challenges us to believe that the other things he said about himself are also true. The resurrection demands a response from us, one way or another.</p>
<p><strong>B. Responding to Jesus</strong></p>
<p>Let’s look at one particular woman about whom Luke wrote, and see how she responded to Jesus.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is –that she is a sinner.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven –for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” </em>- Luke 7:36-50</p></blockquote>
<p>This woman had a bad past. Her behavior toward Jesus was very different from the stiff and starchy response of Simon the Pharisee.</p>
<ul>
<li>Why do you think the woman acted as she did? (7:37,38)</li>
<li>Jesus told Simon a story to explain the woman’s actions. (7:40-43)</li>
<li><em>Why do you think he did that?</em></li>
<li>How were the woman’s debts cleared before God? (7:48)</li>
<li>What does “faith” mean? (7:50)</li>
<li>What did “go in peace” mean to this woman? (7:50)</li>
</ul>
<p>She could be sure that she was at peace with God. Jesus had welcomed, accepted and forgiven her because of his love and mercy. Nothing she had done could have earned his response. But she was now free to live as a new person.</p>
<p>We can be sure in this same way. We can never pay God the debt we owe Him for our sinful behavior. But, if we come to Jesus as this woman did, we can know that he forgives and accepts us completely. In the last session we discussed how this happens through Jesus’ death on our behalf.</p>
<p><strong>C. Becoming a Christian</strong></p>
<p>These five studies have shown us who Jesus is and why he came. Luke 6:46-49 teaches that we must not only hear what Jesus said, but put it into practice.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”</em> &#8211; Luke 6:46-49</p></blockquote>
<p>The sinful woman came to Jesus and recognized her sin. She trusted Jesus to forgive her and, by her actions, thanked him for the new life he offered her. We must do the same if we want to be at peace with God, both now and eternally.</p>
<p>You could pray something like this:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Jesus,I realize that I have been running my own life and have rebelled against You. Thank You for dying for my sins. I open my life to You and ask You to be my Savior and Lord. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen.</em></p></blockquote>
<p>A decision to become a Christian is just the beginning of a lifetime of getting to know God better. We would like to help you on your spiritual journey. If you have questions and would like to talk to someone about your faith, we would love to hear from you. Click on one of the links below to be matched with an online mentor who will personally respond to your questions.</p>
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		<title>Part 4: Jesus as Mediator and Redeemer</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy4/</link>
		<comments>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy4/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2009 15:48:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 4 in a 5-part series, Investigate: Who is Jesus.
At the trial of Jesus it seemed that both the weak-willed Roman governor, Pilate; and the shouts of the crowd sent Jesus to death. In fact, the Bible tells us that these events amazingly formed part of God’s purpose.
Jesus took the twelve disciples aside [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is part 4 in a 5-part series, <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy/" target="_self">Investigate: Who is Jesus</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong>At the trial of Jesus</strong> it seemed that both the weak-willed Roman governor, Pilate; and the shouts of the crowd sent Jesus to death. In fact, the Bible tells us that these events amazingly formed part of God’s purpose.</p>
<p>Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, “Listen! We are going to Jerusalem where everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Gentiles, who will make fun of Him, insult Him, and spit on Him. They will whip him and kill Him, but on the third day he will rise to life.” The disciples did not understand any of these things. (Luke 18:31-34a)</p>
<p><strong>A. The Passover meal and “The Last Supper”</strong></p>
<p>On the last night of his life, Jesus ate a meal with his disciples.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”</em> &#8211; Luke 22:7-20</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What do you think the atmosphere was like during that meal?</li>
<li>What did Jesus say about the bread and cup of wine? (22:19,20)</li>
<li>What did you think Jesus meant when he said his body was “given for you,” and his blood was “poured out for you”?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>B. The trial</strong></p>
<p>After the Passover meal Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. he was taken before the Jewish ruling council.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. “If you are the Christ, ” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”</em> &#8211; Luke 22:66-71</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What did the Jewish leaders want to find out from Jesus?</li>
<li>What did Jesus tell them?</li>
<li>How did the Jewish leaders respond? (22:71)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>C. The Cross</strong></p>
<p>Jesus was not condemned to death for anything he had done. He was condemned for who he claimed to be.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals –one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.</em></p>
<p><em>One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.</em></p>
<p><em>The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.</em> &#8211; Luke 23:32-49</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What did the following groups say about Jesus:</li>
<li><em>(v.35) Jewish leaders?</em></li>
<li><em>(v.36) soldiers?</em></li>
<li><em>(v.39) the criminal?</em></li>
<li>How was the second criminal’s reply different from that of the first? (23:39-42)</li>
<li><em>What did he recognize about Jesus?</em></li>
<li>What did the army of officer say when Jesus died? (23:47)</li>
<li>What do you think Jesus’ attitude was while he was being crucified? (23:34,43,46)</li>
</ul>
<p>This study is about Jesus the Redeemer. To redeem means to buy something back, to recover something by payment. Jesus’ death was for the sake of other people, to bring them back to God.</p>
<p><strong>To think about</strong></p>
<p>As the criminal faced his own death, he asked Jesus to remember him in his future Kingdom. Jesus promised that the robber would be with him that day in Paradise. In what ways can we have the same hope as the criminal did after hearing Jesus’ words?</p>
<p><strong>Next:</strong> <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy5/" target="_self">Part 5: Jesus the Giver of Hope, Peace, Joy, Purpose, and Eternal Life</a></p>
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		<title>Part 3: Jesus the Teacher</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy3/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2009 15:39:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 3 in a 5-part series, Investigate: Who is Jesus.
In the last study, we looked at Jesus the healer. But people didn’t come just to be healed by him; they also wanted to listen to him. Large crowds from all over the country would come to hear what he had to say. He [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is part 3 in a 5-part series, <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy/" target="_self">Investigate: Who is Jesus</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong>In the last study</strong>, we looked at Jesus the healer. But people didn’t come just to be healed by him; they also wanted to listen to him. Large crowds from all over the country would come to hear what he had to say. He talked about: God’s Kingdom, prayer, wise and foolish lifestyles, love and forgiveness, and also himself.</p>
<p>Not everyone liked Jesus’ teaching. He was outspoken against the religious leaders who were hypocrites. He had enemies who tried to trick him with questions, but he always managed to give wise answers. Even when the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus, they found it hard because the crowds wanted to listen to his teaching, “not wanting to miss a single word” (Luke 19:48). In this study, we will discuss two of the best known parables (stories which teach biblical truth) that Jesus told.</p>
<p><strong>A. The Good Samaritan</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>What would you say are the most important things in life?</li>
</ul>
<p>Many people went to Jesus with their important questions. For one man, his concern focused on what would happen to him after his death. He asked Jesus how he could “receive eternal life.” Jesus got the man to answer it himself, from the Scriptures (Luke 10:27).</p>
<blockquote><p><em>On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”</em> &#8211; Luke 10:25-28</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What did the man say were the two most important things in life? (10:27)</li>
<li><em>What do you think of the man’s answers?</em></li>
</ul>
<p>Jesus was then asked, “Who is my neighbor?” He answered by telling the story of the good Samaritan.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” </em>- Luke 10:29-37</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What did the priest and Levite do that was wrong? (10:31,32)</li>
<li><em>Did they disobey the principle “I never do anyone any harm”?</em></li>
<li><em>Did they break the Law?</em></li>
<li>Due to their religious and cultural upbringing, Jews looked upon the Samaritans (Gentiles) with contempt. How did the Samaritan in this parable show love?</li>
<li>How would you answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?”</li>
</ul>
<p>Jesus acts as a good Samaritan towards us. He sees our needs and failures, and instead of passing by, he reaches out to help.</p>
<p><strong>B. The lost son</strong></p>
<p>This is a simple story, yet one of the greatest in the world of literature. It takes the problems that often arise between people to illustrate how men and women react toward God.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.</em></p>
<p><em>After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’</em></p>
<p><em>So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ‘ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ” ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “ </em>- Luke 15:11-32</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What do you think the younger son was thinking as he left home? (15:12,13)</li>
<li><em>Where did he go? (15:13)</em></li>
<li>How do you think the father felt when his son had gone?</li>
<li>Things went fine for awhile. What happened when things got bad? (15:14-16)</li>
<li>The son changed his mind. Why? (15:17)</li>
<li><em>How did he show that his attitude had changed? (15:18-20)</em></li>
<li>What was the father’s attitude? (15:20, 22-24)</li>
<li><strong>5</strong>.In what ways do you think this story is a picture of our relationship with God?</li>
</ul>
<p>This story show us that God still offers His love in spite of our willful selfishness. It also shows us that we can come back to God, no matter how far we have wandered from Him.</p>
<p><strong>To think about</strong></p>
<p>What do you identify with more: the attitude of the son as he left home or his attitude when he decided to return?</p>
<p>Can you believe that God would accept you as completely as the father accepted his son?</p>
<p><strong>Next:</strong> <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy4/" target="_self">Part 4: Jesus the Mediator and Redeemer</a></p>
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		<title>Part 2: Jesus the Healer</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy2/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2009 15:19:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 2 in a 5-part series, Investigate: Who is Jesus.
In the first study, we saw that Jesus was not just an unusual person; he was God’s Son. He came into the world in order to meet the deepest needs of all men and women.
In this study, we will look at how Jesus met [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is part 2 in a 5-part series, <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy/" target="_self">Investigate: Who is Jesus</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong>In the first study</strong>, we saw that Jesus was not just an unusual person; he was God’s Son. He came into the world in order to meet the deepest needs of all men and women.</p>
<p>In this study, we will look at how Jesus met the needs of two particular people. Everywhere Jesus went, he came across needy people. Often, the people he met had incurable diseases. He was able to change their physical lives by healing them. More importantly, he changed their spiritual lives through forgiveness of their sins.</p>
<p>He healed Simon’s mother-in-law, a Roman officer’s servant, a man with a paralyzed hand, a crippled woman, a paralyzed man, people suffering from spiritual and mental disorders or skin diseases, blind people, and he even raised the dead. “All who had friends who were sick with various diseases brought them to Jesus; he placed his hands on every one of them and healed them all” (Luke 4:40).</p>
<p>Look at how Jesus interacted with these people.</p>
<p><strong>A. A blind beggar is healed</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.</em> &#8211; Luke 18:35-43</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What do you think life was like for this blind man?</li>
<li>Why do you think he kept calling for Jesus?</li>
<li>What did Jesus do and say once he had heard the man? (18:40-42)</li>
<li>In what way did the man show he believed in Jesus?</li>
<li>If you had seen this miracle, what would you have thought of Jesus?</li>
</ul>
<p>This was a blind man to whom Jesus gave “recovery of sight” (Luke 4:18). He healed many people of different physical illnesses. But he also healed people from other forms of “sickness.”</p>
<p><strong>B. Jesus and Zacchaeus</strong></p>
<p>The Romans gave the job of collecting taxes to the highest bidder. Tax collectors did not get any wages for their work. They collected as much money as they could so there would be plenty left over for themselves after paying the government. Zacchaeus was one of these tax collectors. He was a greedy and unpopular man.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ’sinner.’ ” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”</em> &#8211; Luke 19:1-10</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What was Zacchaeus’ attitude toward Jesus? (19:3,4,6)</li>
<li>Many people grumbled about Jesus talking to such a man What was Jesus’s attitude toward Zacchaeus? (19:5,9,10)</li>
<li>How did Zacchaeus change after meeting Jesus? (19:8)</li>
<li>What do you think Jesus meant by “the lost”? (19:10)</li>
<li>What does this incident show about the character and purpose of Jesus?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>To think about</strong></p>
<p>Zacchaeus was “captive” to his own greed. Jesus gave him freedom.</p>
<p>Jesus said that he had come “to seek and to save the lost.” People changed when they met Jesus. How do you think meeting Jesus would affect your life?</p>
<p><strong>Next: </strong><a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy3/" target="_self">Part 3: Jesus the Teacher</a></p>
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		<title>Part 1. Jesus: a comprehensive look at his origin and purpose</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy/</link>
		<comments>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2009 15:11:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 1 in a 5-part series, Investigate: Who is Jesus.

In this study we will see:



How Luke’s Gospel fits into history.
That Jesus is “the Son of God.”
What Jesus said he came to do.


The New Testament is made up of several short books and letters. Our English Bibles are translations of what the early Christians [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="page_content"><em>This is part 1 in a 5-part series, <a href="../discover/faith/whoisstudy/" target="_self">Investigate: Who is Jesus</a>.<br />
</em></div>
<div>In this study we will see:</div>
<div id="page_content">
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li><em>How Luke’s Gospel fits into history.</em></li>
<li><em>That Jesus is “the Son of God.”</em></li>
<li><em>What Jesus said he came to do.</em></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>The New Testament</strong> is made up of several short books and letters. Our English Bibles are translations of what the early Christians actually wrote. The experts tell us that we can be sure that the text on which these translations are based is exceptionally accurate.</p>
<p><strong>How can we be sure about the Bible accounts?</strong></p>
<p>In the days of the first Christians, there were many writings about the life of Jesus. But some had special quality–they had been written by Jesus’ followers or their close friends. These gospels and letters were carefully copied by hand. Over the years, archaeologists have found thousands of manuscripts of bits of the New Testament and even some complete copies. By comparing these, we can get very close to what the New Testament writers originally wrote. Some of these copies are dated less than 100 years after the original gospel or letter was written.</p>
<p>For an idea of how good this evidence is, compare the New Testament with other writings that are about as old as the New Testament. For example, Julius Caesar wrote a book called <em>The Gallic War</em> about 50 years before Christ was born. We obviously do not have the original copy. Yet, we do have nine or ten copies, and the earliest of these was made about 900 years after the original. This is a typical gap for ancient writings.</p>
<p>When, however, we examine the historical evidence relating to the Bible, one learns that there are thousands of manuscripts of the New Testament books. Therefore, we have good reason to believe that we know almost exactly what Luke, Paul and the others wrote.</p>
<p><strong>Who wrote the gospel of Luke?</strong></p>
<p>The author of this gospel, Luke, also wrote another book in the New Testament, the Acts of the Apostles. He was the only New Testament writer who was not Jewish, and he was a doctor. Independent evidence confirms that he was a very careful and accurate historian.</p>
<p><strong>Luke’s Gospel: fact or fiction?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.</em> &#8211; Luke 1:1-4</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Where did Luke get his information? (1:2)</li>
<li>How did he write it? (1:3)</li>
<li>Why do you think Luke wrote this introduction?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Where did Jesus come from?</strong>Luke gives details of the unique origin of Jesus, and the following passage explains how Jesus’ birth was foretold.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.</em> &#8211; Luke 1:26-38</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What would the future hold for Mary’s child? (1:32,33)</li>
<li>How would Jesus be conceived? (1:35-37)</li>
<li>Jesus is said to be the Son of God. What do these verses say about Jesus’ “double” origin?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Jesus explains his purpose</strong>Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the south of Palestine. He grew up in a very ordinary town, named Nazareth, located in Galilee which was in the north of Palestine. Jesus was a carpenter, but at the age of 30, he became a religious teacher, moving from town to town.</p>
<p>In Luke 4:14-22, we read what happened when Jesus began teaching. He went to the synagogue, which was the local place of worship. Although he probably had no more religious education than the average Jewish man, people wanted to hear him. He was asked to speak at the synagogue in Nazareth.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.</em> &#8211; Luke 4:14-22</p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>What kinds of people had Jesus come to help? (4:18)<br />
<em>What do you think this means?</em></li>
<li>What was he going to announce? (4:19)<br />
<em>What does this mean?</em></li>
<li>What do you think the people in the synagogue understood when he said the words in verse 21?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>To think about<br />
</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Jesus came to help the “poor”, the “captive”, the “blind”, and the “oppressed.” What are ways in which people todayare poor, captive, blind or oppressed?</p>
</div>
<div><strong>Next: </strong><a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisstudy2/" target="_self">Part 2: Jesus the Healer</a></div>
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		<title>You: What does all this have to do with you?</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus7/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:36:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 7 in a 7 part series that answers the question, ‘Who is Jesus?’.

Is Jesus still interested in us? What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Christ, and in what way does it impact our lives? And how does someone go about making that kind of commitment?
Those are good questions, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="column_two_campaign_page"><em>This is part 7 in a 7 part series that answers the question, <a href="../discover/faith/whoisjesus1/" target="_self">‘Who is Jesus?’</a>.</em></div>
<div>
<p><strong><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-14536" title="whoisjesus6" src="http://thelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/whoisjesus6.jpg" alt="whoisjesus6" />Is Jesus still interested in us?</strong> What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Christ, and in what way does it impact our lives? And how does someone go about making that kind of commitment?</p>
<p>Those are good questions, and typical of someone who understands the significance of Jesus. <strong>Here is some information to help answer these and other questions you may have about Jesus.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Because of Jesus’ resurrection, his followers do not honor a dead founder. </strong>They have a vital, personal relationship with him. Jesus Christ lives today and faithfully enriches the lives of all those who trust and obey him. Throughout the centuries, multitudes have acknowledged the worthiness of Jesus Christ, including many who have greatly influenced the world. French physicist and philosopher Blaise Pascal spoke of people’s need for Jesus when he said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, which only God can fill through his Son Jesus Christ.”</p>
<p><strong>Would you like to know Jesus personally? </strong><strong>You can!</strong> Because of God’s deep love for you, he has already made all the necessary arrangements. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you can enjoy a personal relationship. Jesus made it possible to bridge the chasm which separates us from God. The following four principles will help you discover how to know Jesus personally and experience the abundant life he promised.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Principle 1: </strong><strong>God LOVES you and created you to know Him personally</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”</em></p>
<p><em>John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>What prevents us from knowing God personally?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li> <strong>Principle 2: Man is SINFUL and SEPARATED from God, so we cannot know Him personally or experience His love</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”</em></p>
<p><em>Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death” [spiritual separation from God].</em></p>
<p><em>Romans 8:6-8 “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>A great gulf separates man from God. Man is continually trying to reach God and establish a personal relationship with Him through human efforts, such as living a good life, philosophy, or religion. But he inevitably fails.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The third principle explains the only way to bridge this gulf…</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Principle 3: </strong><strong>Jesus Christ is God’s ONLY provision for man’s sin. Through him alone we can know God personally and experience God’s love</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”</em></p>
<p><em>1 Corinthians 15:3-6 “Christ died for our sins… he was buried… he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures… he appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that he appeared to more than five hundred…”</em></p>
<p><em>John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>God has bridged the gulf that separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>But it is not enough just to know these truths…</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Principle 4: </strong><strong>We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; then we can know God personally and experience His love</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>John 1:12 “As many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name.”</em></p>
<p><em>Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith. This does not depend on anything you have achieved, it is the free gift of God; and because it is not earned no one can boast about it.”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (a spirit of repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive us of our sins and make us what he wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of our will.Jesus Christ is waiting for an invitation to come in to your life. In fact, he says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Perhaps you can sense Christ knocking at the door of your heart.</strong> You can invite him in by faith right now. God knows your heart so it doesn’t matter exactly what words you use. Here’s a suggested prayer:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.</em></p></blockquote>
<p>If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, pray it right now and Jesus Christ will come into your life just as he has promised. Once you invite Christ into your life, he promises to never leave you.</p>
<blockquote><p>Hebrews 13:5 “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”</p></blockquote>
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		<title>How Did the Life of Jesus Impact the World?</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus6/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:25:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 6 in a 7 part series that answers the question, ‘Who is Jesus?’.

Throughout history, the influence Jesus had on the lives of people has never been surpassed. No other great leader has inspired so many positive changes in the lives of his followers. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="column_two_campaign_page"><em>This is part 6 in a 7 part series that answers the question, <a href="../discover/faith/whoisjesus1/" target="_self">‘Who is Jesus?’</a>.</em></div>
<div>
<p><strong><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-14531" title="whoisjesus1" src="http://thelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/whoisjesus1.jpg" alt="whoisjesus1" />Throughout history</strong>, the influence Jesus had on the lives of people has never been surpassed. No other great leader has inspired so many positive changes in the lives of his followers. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. Their outlook on life is altered forever. Staying true to their faith, they do not hesitate to face hardship, persecution and even death. Many consecrate their lives to serving others, minimizing their own needs and desires.</p>
<p><strong>First century Christians</strong></p>
<p><strong>Following Jesus’ crucifixion, his disciples were devastated</strong>. They had forsaken him in the Garden of Gethsemane to save their own lives. <strong>But after they met the resurrected Christ, they were radically changed. </strong>Suddenly, they were willing to give their lives to tell Jesus’ story to the world. Many were tortured and killed because they proclaimed Jesus was alive.</p>
<p><strong>Skeptics and enemies were also transformed.</strong> Jesus’ younger brother, James, didn’t think Jesus was anybody special. But after his resurrected brother appeared to him, James not only believed Jesus was Lord but became the leader of the Jerusalem church and died a martyr in 62 AD.</p>
<p>Saul of Tarsus was the chief persecutor of early Christians. He dragged people to prison. When they did not recant their faith, he was a party to their execution. But he had a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on his way to Damascus and he was transformed from Saul, the enemy of Christianity, to Paul, the main propagator of its message. He left his position of prestige in Jewish society, to become a traveling missionary who experienced incredible suffering in order to share the love of Christ throughout the Roman empire.</p>
<p>Roman governor Plinius Secundus wrote in his <em>Epistles X96</em> that Christians were people who loved the truth at any cost. Although he was ordered to torture and execute them for refusing to curse Jesus, he was continually amazed and impressed with their firm commitments “not to do any wicked deeds, never to commit any fraud, theft, adultery, never to falsify their word, not to deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up.” For centuries, true Christians around the world have stood as shining examples of the standards of truth and love established by Jesus of Nazareth.</p>
<p>Historian Philip Schaff described the overwhelming influence which Jesus had on subsequent history and culture of the world. “This Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science…he shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of schools, he spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, he set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times.”</p>
<p><strong>Modern day Christianity</strong></p>
<p>The power of Christ knows no boundary of time or space. <strong>In our own age, many skeptics have been convinced just as thoroughly their first-century counterparts.</strong> For example, Lew Wallace, a famous general and literary genius, was a known atheist. For two years, Wallace studied in the leading libraries of Europe and America, seeking information that would forever destroy Christianity. While writing the second chapter of a book outlining his arguments, he suddenly found himself on his knees crying out to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.”</p>
<p>When confronted by solid indisputable evidence, he could no longer deny that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Later, Lew Wallace wrote the book <em>Ben Hur</em>, one of the greatest English novels ever written concerning the time of Christ.</p>
<p>Similarly, the late C.S. Lewis, professor at Oxford University in England, was an agnostic who denied the deity of Christ for years. But he, too, in intellectual honesty, submitted to Jesus as his God and Savior after studying the overwhelming evidence for his deity. Over the years, he wrote many books to uphold the ideals of Christianity, including <em>Mere Christianity</em> and <em>The Screwtape Letters</em>.</p>
<p>Many other men and women in our century have dedicated their lives to spreading the Christian message, often braving torture and death. For example, one of Romania’s most widely known Christian leader, Richard Wurmbrand, spent 14 years in prison and was repeatedly tortured for running the underground church under Communist rule. Even after international pressure secured his release from Romania, he continued to receive death threats from the Communist regime. But these attempts at intimidation did not silence him. He kept publicly spreading the good news of Christ.</p>
<p>Similarly, in Korea, Joon Gon Kim, a well-known Christian leader, witnessed his wife and father slaughtered before his eyes by Communist sympathizers from his own village. He himself was beaten senseless and left for dead. He survived the beating and asked God to give him love for the souls of his enemies. He eventually led 30 Communists to believe in Christ, including the person responsible for the death of his family members.</p>
<p><strong>Not only does the love of Christ impel Christians to face persecution and death but also to work to make the world a better place.</strong> Mother Theresa was an outstanding example of a life poured in the service of Christ. Of her well-known ministry among the poor, she said: “Our work is only the expression of the love we have for God.”</p>
<p>Like her, many others have given their lives to serve the destitute and the outcast, either in their homeland or abroad. William and Katherine Booth, founders of the Salvation Army, believed that ministering to the poor was like ministering to Christ himself. The movement they launched enlisted the tireless efforts of enthusiastic people who wanted to make a difference in the world around them.</p>
<p><strong>All of these Christian men and women have found fulfillment and joy in following the teachings of Jesus.</strong> They were transformed when they met Christ and yielded their lives to him. Each of them has made a positive impact on the world. They realize that agnosticism, atheism, and secular humanism hold no true answers. Christianity is still relevant to the needs of today. To read how Jesus still changes lives, click here.</p>
<p>You may also wish to encounter the living God and experience His transforming power. Christ’s desire is to enter your heart and give you a new life in him.</p>
<p><strong>Next »</strong> <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus7/" target="_self">You: What does all this have to do with you?</a></div>
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		<title>The Resurrection</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus5/</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:14:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 5 in a 7 part series that answers the question, ‘Who is Jesus?’.

Jesus was raised from the dead three days after his crucifixion, just as he had predicted. Was his resurrection a real event, or a myth? Can we trust the Gospel accounts of his life?
The resurrection is central to the Christian [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="column_two_campaign_page"><em>This is part 5 in a 7 part series that answers the question, <a href="../discover/faith/whoisjesus1/" target="_self">‘Who is Jesus?’</a>.</em></div>
<div>
<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-14533" title="whoisjesus3" src="http://thelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/whoisjesus3.jpg" alt="whoisjesus3" />Jesus was raised from the dead three days after his crucifixion, just as he had predicted. Was his resurrection a real event, or a myth? Can we trust the Gospel accounts of his life?</p>
<p><strong>The resurrection is central to the Christian faith.</strong> If Jesus was not raised from the dead, then Christian beliefs don’t amount to much, since Jesus himself said that he would be raised from the dead on the third day. On the other hand, if Jesus did rise from the dead, all his claims are true and we can know for sure that there is life after death.</p>
<p>A large volume of evidence exists to support the resurrection claims. In fact, there is more legal-historic evidence (the kind used in courtrooms) for the resurrection than there is for Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo. <strong>There are several reasons why those who have studied the resurrection are convinced beyond a doubt that it is true.</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Jesus himself foretold his death and resurrection, and these events came about exactly as he had predicted.</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>John 2:19-21 “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’ The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ But the temple he had spoken of was his body.”</em></p>
<p><em>John 10:17 “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life–only to take it up again.”</em></p>
<p><em>John 16:16-22 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.’ Some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?’ They kept asking, ‘What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.’ Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, ‘Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy…”</em></p>
<p><em>Matthew 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”</em></p>
<p><em>Matthew 16:21 “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”</em></p>
<p><em>Luke 18:31-33 “Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>The event is well-documented by numerous reliable, historical sources.<br />
</strong>Historians such as Josephus (c.37-110 AD), Ignatius (c.50-115 AD), Justin Martyr (c.100-165 AD) and Tertullian (c.160-220 AD) were convinced of the authenticity of the resurrection. Their writings validate the accounts of the Gospel writers, who, according to leading biblical scholarship, recorded the event as soon as 37 AD and no later than 64 AD.</p>
<p>In addition, other first and second century historians including Cornelius Tacitus, Suetonius, Plinius Secundus, and Lucian of Samosata acknowledged the impact this incredible event had on the people of the time.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>The resurrection is the only plausible explanation for the empty grave.<br />
</strong>Roman soldiers closely guarded the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Moreover, the grave’s entrance was sealed by an enormous boulder. The Roman guard, which was usually composed of 16 members, would have made it impossible for the disciples–who, by the way, were cowering in fear for their own lives–to steal the body. If, as some have claimed, Jesus was not dead, but only weakened, the guards and the stone would have stopped his escape. After being beaten and flagellated, hung on a cross for six hours, pierced by the spear of his executioners to ascertain his death, and wrapped, as was the custom, in 100 pounds of linen and spices, Jesus would have been in no shape to roll a two-ton stone uphill, outwit 16 Roman soldiers and then appear radiantly to his disciples.</p>
<p>The Jewish leaders of the day could easily have refuted all claims of the resurrection by simply producing a body, but they were unable to do so because there was no body.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>There are numerous eyewitnesses to the resurrection.<br />
</strong>After he rose from the dead, Jesus appeared at least ten times to those who had known him and to as many as 500 people at one time. These appearances were not hallucinations; Jesus ate and talked with his followers and they touched his resurrected body. Their experiences were not delusions.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>Luke 24:36-39 “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’”</em></p>
<p><em>John 20:26-29 “A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”</em></p>
<p><em>In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>The resurrection is the only reasonable explanation for the beginning of the Christian movement.<br />
</strong>The Christian church was born in the very city where Jesus was publicly killed and buried. The belief in a resurrected Jesus had to be authentic to take root in Jerusalem and grow to encompass the whole world. The Christian church is now the largest institution that exists or has ever existed in the history of humanity. Clearly, this would have been impossible if the resurrection was a fabricated story.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>The resurrection is the only logical explanation for the transformed lives of the disciples.</strong><br />
They deserted and even denied Jesus before his public trial; after his death they were discouraged and fearful. They did not expect Jesus to rise from the dead. Yet, after his resurrection and their experience at Pentecost, these same discouraged, disappointed men and women were transformed by the mighty power of the risen Christ. In his name, they turned the world upside down. Many lost their lives for their faith; others were terribly persecuted. Their courageous behavior does not make sense apart from their conviction that Jesus Christ was truly raised from the dead–a fact worth dying for.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Throughout the centuries, most great scholars who have considered the proofs of the resurrection have believed, and still believe, that Jesus is alive.<br />
</strong>After examining the evidence for the resurrection given by the Gospel writers, the late Simon Greenleaf, an authority on legal issues at Harvard Law School, concluded: “It was therefore impossible that they could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually risen from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact.” Mr. Greenleaf was a Jewish professor who became a believer in Jesus the Messiah after studying the facts for himself.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>After you have weighed the evidence,</strong> what are your conclusions? Do you believe Jesus is alive? All those who believe he is indeed risen can receive the gift of eternal life and experience a personal relationship with him.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Next »</strong> <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus6/" target="_self">How Did the Life of Jesus Impact the World?</a></p>
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		<title>Muscle: What miracles did Jesus perform?</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus4/</link>
		<comments>http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus4/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:00:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 4 in a 7 part series that answers the question, ‘Who is Jesus?’.


Many people have claimed to be God, but only one man in history demonstrated through his actions that he had a supernatural power source. The power Jesus displayed shook the nation of Israel to its core.He healed the lame and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="column_two_campaign_page"><em>This is part 4 in a 7 part series that answers the question, <a href="../discover/faith/whoisjesus1/" target="_self">‘Who is Jesus?’</a>.</em></div>
<div><em><br />
</em></div>
<div><strong><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-14532" title="whoisjesus2" src="http://thelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/whoisjesus2.jpg" alt="whoisjesus2" />Many people have claimed to be God,</strong> but only one man in history demonstrated through his actions that he had a supernatural power source. The power Jesus displayed shook the nation of Israel to its core.He healed the lame and the blind, controlled the movement of fish, and calmed storms. Not only did Jesus heal hundreds of people from sickness and disease, but on several occasions he raised people from physical death!</div>
<div id="column_two_campaign_page">
<p><strong>Read the following miracles Jesus Christ performed during His life on earth.</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Calms the storm<br />
</strong>Jesus calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee with a wave of his hand–a storm of such an intensity that it terrifies his crew of experienced sailors.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 8:24-27) </strong>Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 4:37-41)</strong> A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Luke 8:23-25)</strong> As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>Heals the demonized man at Gerasa</strong></li>
</ul>
<div id="column_two_campaign_page">
<div id="page_content">
<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 8: 28-34)</strong> When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 5:1-20)</strong> They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.<br />
He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!”<br />
For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!”<br />
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”<br />
My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”<br />
And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside.<br />
The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.”<br />
He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.<br />
Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man –and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.<br />
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.</em></p>
<p><strong>(Luke 8:26-39)</strong> <em>They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”<br />
For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.<br />
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”<br />
“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission.<br />
When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.<br />
The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.</em></p></blockquote>
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<li><strong>Raises Jairus’ dead daughter back to life</strong><br />
Jesus demonstrates that he has the power to raise the dead back to life.</li>
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<blockquote><p><strong> </strong><em><strong>(Matthew 9: 18-19, 23-26)</strong> While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 5:22-24,35-43)</strong> Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him…<br />
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler.<br />
“Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?”<br />
Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”<br />
He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.<br />
He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.</em><em> He took her by the hand and said to her, {”Talitha koum!”} (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Luke 8:41-42,49-56)</strong> Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. Someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler.<br />
“Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.”<br />
Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her.<br />
“Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.<br />
But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”<br />
Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.</em></p></blockquote>
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<li><strong>Feeds crowd of five thousand</strong><br />
In one of the most spectacular miracles, Jesus feeds a massive crowd of 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two small fish. And there is enough food left over at the end to fill 12 baskets, one for each of the 12 disciples, nterestinlgly enough!</li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>( Matthew 14:15-21)</strong> As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”</em></p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p><em>“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.<br />
</em><em>“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.</em></p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Mark 6:35-44)</strong> By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”</em></p></blockquote>
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<p><em> But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”<br />
They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”<br />
“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”<br />
When they found out, they said, “Five –and two fish.”<br />
Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Luke 9:12-17)</strong> Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”<br />
He replied, “You give them something to eat.”<br />
They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish –unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.)<br />
But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.</em></p>
<p><em>(John 6:5-14) When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.<br />
Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”<br />
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.<br />
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.<br />
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”</em></div>
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<li><strong>Heals the man born blind</strong></li>
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<div><em><strong>(Mark 8:22-26) </strong>They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”</em></div>
<div><em>He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”<br />
Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.<br />
Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village.”</em></div>
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<li><strong>Changes water to wine<br />
</strong>In his first recorded miracle, which took place at Cana in the Galilee area, Jesus changes water at a wedding into wine after the host’s wine ran out unexpectedly.</li>
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<div id="page_content"><em><strong>(John 2:6-11)</strong> Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.<br />
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water;” so they filled them to the brim.<br />
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.<br />
Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”<br />
This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.</em></div>
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<li><strong>Cures the centurion’s servant<br />
</strong>In another miracle, Jesus heals the servant of a centurion at Capernaum without any contact with the ill man.</li>
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<p><em><strong>(Matthew 8:5-13)</strong> When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.<br />
“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”<br />
Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.”<br />
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one ,’Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”<br />
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”<br />
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that every hour.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Luke 7:1-10) </strong>When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.<br />
When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”<br />
So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one ,’Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”<br />
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.</em></div>
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<li><strong>Heals the paralytic at the pool<br />
</strong>At the pool of Bethesda in Jeruslem, Jesus heals a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years.</li>
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<div id="page_content"><em><strong>(John 5:5-9) </strong>One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”<br />
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”<br />
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath…</em></div>
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<li><strong>Reverses the dr</strong><strong>ought of fish<br />
</strong>After a fruitless night of fishing on the Sea of Galilee, Peter receives a command from Jesus to lower his nets again. This time so many fish are caught that Peter’s nets begin to break.</li>
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<div><em><strong>(Luke 5:4-9) </strong>When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”<br />
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”<br />
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.<br />
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken…</em></div>
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<li><strong>Heals the demonized in the Synagogue at Capernaum<br />
</strong>Who is this man with the power to cast out demons?</li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Mark 1:23-28)</strong> Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”<br />
“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.<br />
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching–and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Luke 4:33-37)</strong> In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”<br />
“Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.<br />
All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!” And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.</em></p></blockquote>
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<li><strong>Heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many sick</strong></li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 8:14-16) </strong>When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 1:29-34) </strong>As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.<br />
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Luke 4:38-41)</strong> Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.<br />
Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.</em></p></blockquote>
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<li><strong>Heals the leper</strong></li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 8:2-4)</strong> A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”<br />
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.<br />
Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”</em></p></blockquote>
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<li><strong>Heals the paralytic</strong></li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 9:2-8) </strong>Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”<br />
At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . .”<br />
Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” And the man got up and went home.<br />
When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 2:2-12) </strong>So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.<br />
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”<br />
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”<br />
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . .”<br />
He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.<br />
This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Luke 5:18-26)</strong> Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.<br />
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”<br />
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”<br />
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . .”<br />
He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God.<br />
They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”</em></p></blockquote>
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<li><strong>Heals the woman who touched him<br />
</strong>A simple touch of Jesus’ garment was enough to heal this woman.</li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 9:20-22) </strong>Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”<br />
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 5:25-34) </strong>And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”<br />
Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him.<br />
He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”<br />
“You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ “<br />
But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.<br />
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Luke 8:43-48) </strong>And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.<br />
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”<br />
But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”<br />
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.<br />
Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”</em></p></blockquote>
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<li><strong>Walks on the lake and stills the storm<br />
</strong>Jesus is seen walking on the surface of the Sea of Galilee! One of his disciples, Peter, caught in a moment of pure faith, begins walking on the water towards Jesus. Moments later he starts to doubt, plunges down into the water, but is pulled to safety by Jesus when he cries out for help.</li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 14:22-33) </strong>Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.<br />
When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.<br />
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.<br />
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”<br />
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”<br />
“Come,” he said.<br />
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”<br />
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 6:45-52)</strong> Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.<br />
When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost.<br />
They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.<br />
Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”<br />
Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(John 6:16-21) </strong>When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.<br />
When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.<br />
But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”<br />
Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.</em></p></blockquote>
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<li><strong>Feeds four thousand<br />
</strong>In another miraculous example of God’s power, Jesus takes compassion on a large, famished crowd of followers who hadn’t eaten in roughly three days. He feeds them with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. Seven large baskets of food are left over after everyone is full.</li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 15:32-38) </strong>Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”<br />
His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” “How many loaves do you have?”<br />
Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”<br />
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.<br />
Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 8:1-9) </strong>During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”<br />
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”<br />
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.<br />
“Seven,” they replied.<br />
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied.<br />
Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand men were present.</em></p></blockquote>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Heals the blind, mute, and demonized son in Peraea</strong></li>
</ul>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 17:14-20) </strong>When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” “O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”<br />
Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.<br />
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”<br />
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 9:14-29) </strong>When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.<br />
“What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.<br />
A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”<br />
“O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”<br />
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.<br />
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”<br />
” ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”<br />
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”<br />
The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.<br />
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”</em></p>
<p><em><strong>(Luke 9:37-42) </strong>The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”<br />
“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”<br />
Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.</em></p></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Heals ten lepers<br />
</strong>Ten lepers are healed. Yet only one has enough humility to return to Jesus and thank him for the miraculous healing of his illness.</li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Luke 17: 11-19)</strong> Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”<br />
When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”<br />
And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him –and he was a Samaritan.<br />
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”</em></p></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>Raises Lazarus from the dead<br />
</strong>In a spectacular miracle which creates a stir throughout the country, Jesus brings back to life a man who had not only died, but had been laying in a tomb for several days. Many of the religious leaders now begin to follow Jesus after this clear demonstration of the power of the living God.</li>
</ul>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(John 11:1-46)</strong> Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”<br />
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”<br />
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”<br />
“But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?”</em></p>
<p><em>Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.”<br />
After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”<br />
His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”<br />
Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”<br />
Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”<br />
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”<br />
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”<br />
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.<br />
Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.<br />
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”<br />
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.<br />
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.<br />
Jesus wept.<br />
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”<br />
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.<br />
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”<br />
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”<br />
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”<br />
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”<br />
Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.</em></p></blockquote>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Curses the fig tree and it withers<br />
</strong>Jesus performs this miracle to demonstrate the coming judgement upon the nation of Israel, which because of its refusal (as a majority) to accept his message, will soon wither into near oblivion under the brutal military might of the Roman empire. This takes place on the Monday following his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, just days before he will face his death and resurrection.</li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 21:18-20) </strong>Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.<br />
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>( 		 						Mark 11:12-14,20-21) </strong>The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.<br />
Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it… In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.<br />
Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”</em></p></blockquote>
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<ul>
<li><strong>Jesus is himself resurrected from the dead<br />
</strong>In the greatest miracle of all, Jesus is raised from the dead, just as he had foretold on numerous occasions.</li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(Matthew 28: 2-20) </strong>There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.<br />
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”<br />
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.<br />
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”<br />
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”<br />
So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.<br />
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.</em><br />
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”</p>
<p><em><strong>(Mark 16:1-20) </strong>When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”<br />
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.<br />
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ “<br />
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.<br />
[ {The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20.} ]<br />
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.<br />
Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.<br />
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.<br />
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”<br />
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.</em></p>
<p><strong>(Luke 24:1-48) </strong><em>On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.<br />
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.<br />
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”<br />
“What things?” he asked.<br />
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”<br />
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.<br />
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.<br />
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.<br />
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”<br />
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.<br />
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”<br />
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.<br />
He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”<br />
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.<br />
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”<br />
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.<br />
He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.</em></p>
<p><strong>(John 20:1-31)</strong> <em>Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”<br />
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.<br />
Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)<br />
Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.<br />
They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”<br />
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”<br />
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”<br />
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ “<br />
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.<br />
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.<br />
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”<br />
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”<br />
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”<br />
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”<br />
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”<br />
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”<br />
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>The final miraculous catch of fish<br />
</strong>After his resurrection, Jesus performs another miracle. His disciples immediately identify who is responsible for this sudden abundance of fish stocks on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is the resurrected Jesus of Nazareth.</li>
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<blockquote><p><em><strong>(John 21: 1-14, 24)</strong> Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.<br />
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”<br />
“No,” they answered.<br />
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”<br />
When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”<br />
As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.<br />
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”<br />
Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.<br />
Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.<br />
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Next:</strong> <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus5/" target="_self">A fact-based analysis of the resurrection of Jesus</a></div>
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<p><a href="http://powertochange.com/whois/luke7.html" target="_self"><strong><em></em></strong></a></p>
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		<title>Claims: What did Jesus have to say about himself?</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:56:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><a href="http://powertochange.com/blogposts/author/powertochange/">Power to Change Ministries</a></dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is part 3 in a 7 part series that answers the question, &#8216;Who is Jesus?&#8217;.
In his famous book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis makes this statement, “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic–on the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is part 3 in a 7 part series that answers the question, <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus1/" target="_self">&#8216;Who is Jesus?&#8217;</a>.</em></p>
<p><strong><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-14530" title="whoisjesus" src="http://thelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/whoisjesus.jpg" alt="whoisjesus" />In his famous book <em>Mere Christianity</em>, C.S. Lewis makes this statement</strong>, “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic–on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg–or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.”</p>
<p><strong>Jesus could only have been one of four things: a legend, a liar, a lunatic–or Lord and God.</strong> There is so much historical and archeological evidence to support his existence that every reputable historian agrees he was not just a legend. If he were a liar, why would he die for his claim, when he could easily have avoided such a cruel death with a few choice words? And, if he were a lunatic, how did he engage in intelligent debates with his opponents or handle the stress of his betrayal and crucifixion while continuing to show a deep love for his antagonists? He said he was Lord and God. The evidence supports that claim.</p>
<p><strong>Here are some of the key claims Jesus made about himself.</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>He claimed to live a sinless life<br />
</strong>Jesus could look at a crowd of people angry at his claims to share God’s nature and ask, “Which of you can point to anything wrong in my life?” Even more amazing is that none of them could give a reply! No human being has ever lived a sinless life, except for Jesus.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>John 8:28-29 “So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know who I am and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.’”</em></p>
<p><em>John 8:46-47 “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>He claimed to be the ONLY way to God<br />
</strong>Not one of several ways, but <em>the one and only way</em>. Not to teach the way, but to be the way to God. Nobody has ever made claims like that before and backed them, but Jesus did through his love, balanced life, and miracles.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”</em></p>
<p><em>Matthew 11:27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>He claimed to have shared the glory of God in Heaven<br />
</strong>Jesus claimed to have pre-existed the people he spoke with. The apostle John–who shared bread with Jesus–wrote that Jesus was with God in the very beginning, and that “all things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.” (John 1:1-5)</li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>John 17:5 “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>He claimed to be able to forgive sins<br />
</strong>One of the reasons that the Jewish leaders were so angry with Jesus was his continual practice of forgiving people’s sins. The religious leaders understood clearly that since sins were rebellion against God Himself, only God could forgive sins.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>Luke 5:20-21 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’”</em></p>
<p><em>Luke 7:48-49 “Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ The other guests began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>He claimed to be a Heavenly king</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>Luke 22:69 “But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”</em></p>
<p><em>Luke 23:1-3 “Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.’ So Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied.”</em></p>
<p><em>John 18:36-37 “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’ ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>He claimed to be able to give everlasting life<br />
</strong>He didn’t just tell people how they could find everlasting life, or deepen their own life experience. He actually claimed to give life himself.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>John 6:40 “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”</em></p>
<p><em>John 6:47 “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.”</em></p>
<p><em>John 10:28-30 “I give [my followers] eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”</em></p>
<p><em>John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die…’”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>He claimed that he would die and come back to life</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>John 10:17 “Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life–only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”</em></p>
<p><em>John 12:32-33 “‘But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.’ He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.”</em></p>
<p><em>John 16:16 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”</em></p>
<p><em>Luke 18:31-33 “Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up into Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.’”</em></p></blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong>He claimed that he would return again to judge the world</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote><p><em>Matthew 24:27-30 “So as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man… At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.”</em></p>
<p><em>Matthew 25:31-32 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep and the goats.”</em></p>
<p><em>Mark 14:61-62 “Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Next »</strong> <a href="http://thelife.com/discover/faith/whoisjesus4/" target="_self">Muscle: What miracles did Jesus do?</a></p>
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