At one time or another, everybody wonders, “What does Godreally think of me?” Even if you never ask that question out loud,you probably think it—and others like it. Questions like, DoesGod love me? Does he even like me? Is he mad at me? Do myproblems matter to him? Does he care about my life?One of the most amazing teachings of the Bible is that Jesuscame into the world, in part, to answer all those questions becausehe came to show us what God is like (John 1:18). Jesus even saidonce that seeing him is the same as seeing God (John 14:9).Putting this together means that if you want to know howGod feels about you, you just have to look at how Jesus treatedpeople like you.So how did Jesus treat people? He felt deep compassion for people who were suffering(Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13). He wept with those who were grieving (John 11:1-44). He offered forgiveness (not condemnation) to sinners(John 8:1-11). He was drawn to all the groups that “proper” religiouspeople normally avoided—for example, people with theterrible disease of leprosy, shady tax collectors, immoralwomen, irreligious people, and people from differentethnic backgrounds (Mark 2:15-16; Luke 5:30; John 4). He showed great affection for children and welcomedthem—in a culture where little kids were expected to bequiet and stay out of the way (Matthew 19:13-15). He accepted invitations to fun parties and was the guest ofhonor at social celebrations because he really enjoyed beingwith people, and people really liked being with him (Luke5:29; John 2:1-11). He never gave anyone a lotof religious rules to follow.Instead, he graciously calledpeople to trust him and tofollow him.4.6W hat does Jesusp’letreatment of peoG odreveal about how ?feels about youJESUS’ DEATH & RESURRECTIONHere’s what the Gospels reveal about why Jesus went tothe cross and what his death and resurrection mean:the Son of GodHOW JESUS TREATED PEOPLEJesus came to die. Jesus made clear that his purpose on earthwas to seek and save those who are spiritually lost (Luke 19:10).Elsewhere he said salvation would only be possible through himgiving up his life (Mark 10:45; John 12:27).Jesus had to die(Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22). Jesusdidn’t say, “I probably ought to die” or “Dying might be noble.” Hesaid, “I must die.”Jesus was willing to die (Luke 22:42). As the time of hiscrucifixion drew near, Jesus naturally felt afraid. Yet he humbly,willingly surrendered himself to God’s salvation plan.Jesus’ death was for our sin.The night before he wasnailed to the cross, Jesus ate the Jewish Passover meal with hisdisciples. At the end he used the wine and bread from that ancientcelebration to institute a new memorial meal. (We call this theLord’s Supper, the Eucharist, or Communion.) In doing this, Jesuswas saying, “I am the new Passover Lamb. Through my death yoursins are taken away” (see John 1:29). Jesus’ sacrifice marked thestart of the new covenant (that is, a brand-new agreement betweenGod and humankind). Anyone who trusts in Christ’s broken body(represented by the bread) and his shed blood (represented by thewine) will be forgiven. This trust in Christ is how we are saved.Jesus had to rise from the dead(Luke 24:7; John 20:9).Jesus said he “must” rise. Jesus’ resurrection proved once and for allthat he holds authority over life and death. In the resurrection, Jesusconquered death so that we would not have to fear it. He lives sothat we can too!Do you believe that Jesus’ death paid for your sins? Do you believethat his resurrection provided you with new life?4.7
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