Jesus

Jesus

JOHN MACARTHUR, JOHN ELDREDGE, MAX LUCADO,

CHARLES R. SWINDOLL, SHEILA WALSH, BILLY GRAHAM,

DEE BRESTIN AND KATHY TROCCOLI, ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ

© 2004 W Publishing Group.

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotation in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published by W Publishing Group, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee 37214.

Produced with the assistance of The Livingstone Corporation:

www.LivingstoneCorporation.com. Project staff includes Greg Asimakoupoulos, Linda Taylor, Mary Horner Collins, and Dave Veerman.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV®). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Other Scripture quotations are taken from the following sources:

The Holy Bible, New Century Version (NcV). Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by W Publishing, Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission. The New American Standard Bible (NASB), © 1960, 1977 by the Lockman Foundation. The New American Standard Bible® (NASBU). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® (NIV). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishing House. All rights reserved. The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of the International Bible Society. TheHoly Bible, New Living Translation (Nix), copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. The Amplified Bible (AMP). Old Testament copyright 1965, 1987 by The Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright © 1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

This book is a compilation from previously published works and, therefore, contains various writing and editorial styles; however, those styles have been retained out of respect for the authors whose works we have graciously been given permission to include.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Jesus.

p.cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 176) and index.

ISBN 0-8499-1834-0

1. Jesus Christ--Meditations.

BT203.J468 2004

232--dc22

2004017374

Printed in the United States of America

04 05 06 07 08 PHX 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

Introduction

Jesus, the Lord

Jesus, the Mighty Warrior

Jesus, the Friend

Jesus, the Teacher

Jesus, the Healer

Jesus, the Prince of Peace

Jesus, the Lover of My Soul

Jesus, the Savior

Notes

Bible Reading Plan

Scripture Index

Introduction

Jesus.

Through the centuries he has been written about, spoken about, and sung about more than any man in human history. He was a carpenter from Nazareth turned itinerant preacher—but so much more. A good man, even considered sinless, he was a great teacher who seemed to stir up controversy everywhere he went. But those who follow him and believe him to be the Son of God and Savior of the world know that Jesus was that—and still much more. As he walked on earth and continues to strengthen lives today, those who call themselves Christian know him in innumerable ways.

He's our

Lord

•Friend

•Healer

Lover of our souls

• Mighty Warrior

• Teacher

• Prince of Peace

• Savior

This book explores these eight major attributes of Jesus to help give a fuller understanding of the depth and breadth of his personality and how he relates to us today. Each chapter, corresponding to one of these eight characteristics, includes an introduction followed by an excerpt from a book by one of today's top Christian authors as he or she discusses that aspect of Jesus' character.

In the chapter on Jesus as Lord, you'll read from John MacArthur, one of today's foremost Bible teachers. John MacArthur is pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, teacher on the international daily radio program Grace to You, and president of The Master's College and Seminary. His insights, taken from four of his books, help to discern the importance of under-standing and personally accepting the lordship of Jesus.

John Eldredge, author of many books (including Sacred Romanceand Wild at Heart), brings his insights on spiritual warfare from his book Waking the Dead to the chapter on Jesus as Mighty Warrior. The excerpt from his book reveals that the battle we face each day comes from a very real source and needs our very real Warrior to fight with us.

The chapter on Jesus as Friend includes a section from Max Lucado's book Next Door Savior. Max Lucado is minister for the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, and a best-selling Christian author. You'll enjoy reading his insights into Jesus' desire to meet you right where you are.

Charles Swindoll is president of Dallas Theological Seminary and host of the nationally syndicated radio program Insight for Living. His insights on Jesus as Teacher, drawn from his book Simple Faith, encourage us as we look at Jesus'teaching style and his ability to make tough truths easy to understand.

Sheila Walsh, a speaker with the Women of Faith conferences, has personally experienced Jesus as her Healer. In the excerpt from her book The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila is transparent as she shares her personal battle with depression and how Jesus helped her through it. She encourages us with words from Scripture and from experience about Jesus' healing power, no matter what illness we may face.

Everyone wants peace, but the only place to find true and lasting peace is in a relationship with Jesus, the Prince of Peace. In this section from his book The Key to Personal Peace, Billy Graham describes our quest for peace and tells us how to find it.

In their book Falling in Love with Jesus, Dee Brestin and Kathy Troccoli bring to life the concept of Jesus as Lover of our souls. Dee, author and Bible teacher, and Kathy, singer and songwriter, tell parts of their personal stories on their journey of discoveringthe vast and unimaginable love Jesus has for us.

Finally, Anne Graham Lotz, speaker and author, closes the book with her vivid description of Jesus, the Savior. The excerpt from her book Just Give Me Jesus reveals the Old Testament plan for salvation and the fulfillment of that plan in Jesus, who was the perfect sacrifice to take away sin, the one and only Savior.

After each excerpt, we have included a section written with you in mind. What does it mean that Jesus is your Lord, your Teacher, your Savior? This section helps to personalize the reality of Jesus'various roles in your life.

Each chapter also includes several key Bible verses on the topic, words from a great hymn of the faith that focuses on the topic, and questions for further thought.

This book is designed with several uses in mind. Personal reading, study of Scripture, and personal reflection on each topic will give you a new appreciation for Jesus and all he has done and continues to do for you. It can also be used in a small group study or in a Sunday school class. Focusing on one characteristic of Jesus each week, your small group can study the readings, look up the Scripture references, and discuss the questions.

In addition, we have provided a Bible reading plan that includes fifty-two weeks of readings to help you study Jesus' life and ministry in one year. This also could be adapted in any number of ways for small group study. Finally, a Scripture index gives you the key Bible verses used in this book.

All of these tools have been designed to bring the multifaceted personality of Jesus into focus in a way never before accomplished.

We hope you enjoy the insights you'll receive about Jesus as you read this book. More than that, we hope Jesus becomes even more real to you—as your Lord, your Mighty Warrior, your Friend, your Teacher, your Healer, your Prince of Peace, the Lover of your soul, and your Savior.

The Publisher

Jesus, the Lord

FEATURING THE WRITING OF JOHN MACARTHUR

There are as many opinions about Jesus as voices to express them. Not every opinion about the first-century carpenter-turned-rabbi is grounded in reality, however. Many times what is presented about Jesus is inconsistent with the Bible.

While some participants in the cultural debate on the identity, of Jesus Christ may not doubt his existence, they will gladly relegate him to the category of influential prophet or charismatic (but misguided) teacher. Those in this camp are quick to praise his mes-sage of love and forgiveness, affirm his treatment of social outcasts, and cheer his nonmaterialistic lifestyle. But somehow, they ignore some of the things Jesus said about himself—unmistakable claims to divinity:

`Y111 things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." (Matthew 11:27)

not leave you nor forsake you. I will be with you wherever you go."

And what similar words did Jesus give his followers? Go there-fore and make disciples of all the nations, . . . and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).

Do you get the point? He is with you always. Today, tomorrow, every day. The battle may be fierce, but he will never leave you nor forsake you.

LET JESUS DO BATTLE ON YOUR BEHALF

Once we've come to terms with the reality that life is really a war and that we are combatants in it, we are more prepared to face each day. But there is another dimension to this warfare that needs to be considered.

Not only is there a cosmic war around us, there is also a spiritual war within us. We face our signature sins on a daily basis. We get tripped up by the same temptations over and over. We lose heart. We lose hope that we'll ever be able to defend ourselves. We struggle to put our spiritual armor on because the battle raging within keeps us weakened.

The apostle Paul knew all about this struggle. Listen to his internal battle and see if you can relate:

I do not understand the things I do. I do not do what I want to do, and I do the things I hate. . . . I want to do the things that are good, but I do not do them. I do not do the good things I want to do, but I do the bad things I do not want to do. (Romans 7:15, 18-19 Ncv)

Not only did Jesus not take us out of the world when we became believers, he also chose to allow us to battle with sin until the day we die. So what do we do? Fortunately Paul found the answer to his dilemma:

What a miserable man I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death? I thank God for saving me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25 Ncv)

Jesus alone is in a position to do battle against the internal enemies you face in the privacy of your heart. Call on Jesus to march into your life and liberate you. Picture the same righteous anger Jesus had toward the moneychangers in the temple as he makes his way into the combat zone of your heart to take out whatever it is that has rendered you a defeated soldier. Jesus, your Mighty Warrior, wants to set you free.

LET JESUS BE YOUR MIGHTY WARRIOR

You may have certain pictures of Jesus hanging in the gallery of your mind. Meek and mild may be one of them—and it is certainly an appropriate picture. It should not be the only one, how-ever. You need to picture Jesus as the coming King of kings, who will one day ride to victory over all evil.

Then I saw heaven opened, and there before me was a white horse. The rider on the horse is called Faithful and True, and he is right when he judges and makes war. His eyes are like burning fire, and on his head are many crowns. . . . Out of the rider's mouth comes a sharp sword that he will use to defeat the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will crush out the wine in the wine press of the terrible anger of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his upper leg was written this name: KINGOF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16 Ncv)

That is Jesus. He is indeed a Mighty Warrior, not just someday off in the future, but today, on your behalf. A battle is raging and you're right in the middle of it. You need a Mighty Warrior to fight with you.

SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward

GENESIS 15:1

The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.

EXODUS 14:14

Happy are you, 0 Israel!

Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD,

The shield of your help

And the sword of your majesty!

Your enemies shall submit to you,

And you shall tread down their high places.

DEUTERONOMY 33:29

One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.

JOSHUA 23:10

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.

PSALM 91:2

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-4

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will over-come them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.

REVELATION 17:14

The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation,

My stronghold and my refuge;

My Savior, You save me from violence.

2 SAMUEL 22:3

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

REVELATION 19:11-12

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come