Jesus in His Own Words

For those skeptical about Christianity in general or those just beginning their journey, this book can serve as an introduction to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. With its thematic organizational features, it provides a first-hand account of His character, His claims, and His call to discipleship that is easy to read and understand. The approach features a compilation of powerful verses essential to understanding who He is and why He did what He did.

Jesus in His Own Words: A Layman’s Perspective can also be used as a tool for nurturing a new believer’s walk with the Lord. It can especially be helpful for those who desire to learn more about Christ but are intimidated by the Bible in its entirety. The direct quotes and accompanying commentary offer an accessible means to explore the Word of God and learn more about His life-changing message for our lives. The greatest teacher that ever lived has something amazing to say, and we invite you to come and listen.

For those who have been a Christian for many years but have become complacent or have lost their passion for the faith, this book can serve as a reminder of all that Jesus has done for us and all that He calls us to do. In a world that so often tries to distract us from what really matters, it can be easy to forget who we are following and why.

And yet we are called to be different from this world, to be set apart for His purposes. Jesus in His Own Words: A Layman’s Perspective can help to rekindle our Christian faith and refocus our attention on the One who saved us, challenging us to live out His commands. This book allows you to rediscover the heart of Christianity by falling in love with Jesus all over again through His own words.

For those who are already Christian believers, this book can serve as a valuable resource for personal growth and reflection. Organized by topic, this book features a thematic table of contents that can easily be referenced for Bible studies or personal devotions. By taking a closer look at the words of Jesus, we are challenged to examine our own lives and align them more closely with His will. We are also given a greater understanding of His love for us and how we can share that love with others.

It also equips Christian believers with a handy resource for sharing their Christian faith. The nature of this book, which features the words of Christ along with an accompanying commentary, provides a non-threatening way to introduce someone to Christianity or to open the door for spiritual discussions. Because it features Christ’s own words at the forefront, it allows for a conversation about Him and His teachings without getting bogged down in arguments about doctrine or other secondary matters.

A tax collector by trade, Matthew was not a well-respected man in Jewish society. Contracted by the Roman Empire to collect on behalf of Caesar from their fellow Jews, tax collectors were often viewed as traitors. So when Matthew is called by Jesus to become His disciple, it’s somewhat of a surprise, but seems to make perfect sense when we understand the role Matthew will play in the Gospel he will write.

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and was written primarily for a Jewish audience. As such, it goes to great lengths to demonstrate Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and His status as the promised Messiah. Sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of the Kingdom,” Matthew tells us that Jesus came to establish the kingdom of God on earth. It is a kingdom in which the poor are blessed, the outcasts are included, and the sinners are welcome. This is in stark contrast to the Jewish kingdoms of the day, which were based on things like power, prestige, and wealth.

Matthew knew his audience well and wrote his Gospel in a way that would speak to their needs and interests. He included multitudinous Old Testament references and prophecies that would resonate with his Jewish readers to prove that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah who had come to fulfill all of God’s promises.

Though Mark was not among Jesus’ original 12 disciples, he did serve as a close companion to the apostle Peter and was privy to many of the stories and teachings that Peter would later share with the world. The book of Mark is believed to be the first of the Gospels, written in Rome for the early church, and it seems to be directed at a Gentile audience as it does not include as many Old Testament references as the book of Matthew.

The book of Mark is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of Action” as it focuses heavily on the miracles that Jesus performed and the suffering that He endured. Mark wants his readers to know that Jesus is a man of action, not just words. His Gospel features a Jesus who is always on the move, healing the sick, teaching the crowds, and bringing hope to those who are lost.

Mark’s Gospel also emphasizes the cost of discipleship, something that would have been readily apparent to the early Christian believers who were being persecuted for their beliefs. As followers of Jesus, they too would have to be prepared to suffer and even die for what they believed. But Mark also shows us that it is through our suffering that we find true life in Christ.

Luke, on the other hand, was a Gentile physician who likely wrote his Gospel for a mixed audience. Luke makes it clear early on his Gospel that he was not an eyewitness to the ministry of Jesus, but rather wrote his account from the eyewitness accounts of others. He was a close companion of the apostle Paul and had access to many of the stories that Paul would have heard from Peter and the other disciples.

The book of Luke is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of Compassion” because of the way it highlights Jesus’ concern for those who are marginalized by society. Luke shows us a Jesus who is always reaching out to the poor, the sick, and the lost. He is a Jesus who loves unconditionally and welcomes all people, no matter who they are or what they have done.

This is perhaps best seen in the story of the prodigal son, which is only found in the Gospel of Luke. In this parable, we see a father who shows forgiveness and love to his wayward son despite the fact that he has squandered his inheritance. This story speaks to Luke’s concern for those who have been excluded from society and reminds us that all are welcome in the kingdom of God.

The fourth and final Gospel is that of John, the beloved disciple and eyewitness to His miracles and ministry on earth. John was one of Jesus’ 12 original disciples and is traditionally believed to be the only one to have survived into old age. He likely wrote his Gospel toward the end of his life when he was living in Ephesus with other members of the Church.

John’s Gospel is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of Love” due to its focus on the love that Jesus has for the world, not just Jewish or Christian believers. This is a radical statement of love and inclusion that would have been unheard of in the first century. In John’s Gospel, we see a Jesus who is not only full of compassion and mercy, but also willing to lay down His life as payment for our sins.

John’s Gospel goes further than any other to show us that Jesus is not just a man, but also God. His opening does not begin with a nativity story; rather, he tells us that Jesus is the Word who was with God in the beginning and that He is God. While this claim would have been met with hostility from both Jews and Gentiles, John doesn’t stop there. He goes on to show us that Jesus is not just some type of divine being, but that He is the one true God who has come to save us from our sins.

While the Gospels were written about Jesus, they were written for those who would come after Him. They were written to show us who Jesus is and what He has done for us. But they were also written to challenge us to follow him. Each of the Gospels calls us to a different response, but they all have a common goal—to lead us into a personal relationship with the one living God. Jesus in His Own Words: A Layman’s Perspective seeks to do the same thing. It is our hope and prayer that God will speak to your heart, and you find yourself falling in love with Jesus as you delve into his message.

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Christian faith is the belief that Jesus is Son of God, both fully human and fully divine. This seems like a contradiction, but it is actually at the heart of who Jesus is. His humanity allows Him to understand our pain and suffering; His divinity allows Him to offer forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life. In this first section, we’ll explore who Jesus claims to be. We’ll look at His names, His titles, and what He has to say about Himself.

Equally important to understanding who Jesus is, is understanding why He came. In this section, we’ll explore Jesus’ mission on earth and what it means for us today. We’ll look closely at things like His call to repentance, His offer of forgiveness, and His promise of life everlasting.

Just as Matthew and Luke both begin their Gospels with a genealogy of Jesus, they also both include several Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by his birth. This is because the Jews of Jesus’ day were looking for a Messiah, or Savior, who would rescue them from their enemies and establish an everlasting kingdom. They were expecting a conquering earthly king who would free them from Roman rule. And while the Messianic prophecies include both a conquering king and a suffering servant, the furthest thing from the Jews’ mind at the time was that the Messiah would come as a suffering servant who would die a criminal’s death on a cross. These prophecies foretold of Jesus’ coming, but they also reveal His character and His mission. In this section, we’ll explore some of these messianic prophecies and see how they were fulfilled through Jesus.

One of the primary ways that Jesus showed His divinity was through the miracles He performed. From raising the dead to calming the storm, these supernatural acts not only validated His claims to be the Son of God, but they also met the needs of those He encountered. In this section, we’ll explore some of the well-known miracles that Jesus performed and see what they can teach us about who He is.

The teachings of Jesus on the kingdom of God are further divided into two separate sections: the way and the walk. In the Way of the Kingdom, we’ll explore what it means for a Christian to live for God. This includes topics such as righteousness, forgiveness, and repentance. In the Walk of the Kingdom, we’ll look at what it means to be an active participant in God’s kingdom. This includes topics like love, obedience, and service.

Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus called twelve men to be His closest followers. These disciples left everything to follow Him, and in return, Jesus poured Himself into them. In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the things Jesus said to his disciples and see what they can teach us about what it means to be a follower of Christ. And although Paul was not among the original twelve, he was later counted as an apostle. We’ll also explore some of Jesus’ words to him in this section.

Jesus prayed with and for his disciples throughout his time on earth. He also spent time alone in prayer communing with the Father. In this section, we’ll learn more about how to pray, how to find strength in prayer, and how to know that our prayers are heard.

As Jesus’ popularity grew, so did the opposition against Him. The religious leaders of His day were threatened by His teachings and His miracles. They began to look for things (and make up things) to use to discredit Him and eventually have Him arrested. In this section, we’ll examine Jesus’ response to such opposition and determine what we can learn from His example.

Jesus predicted his betrayal, death, and resurrection several times throughout His ministry. Because he knew His sacrifice was necessary to make a way for us, He went willingly to the cross. His resurrection is the central event of Christianity and is the proof that He is who He claims to be—the Son of God. In this section we’ll explore Jesus’ final days on earth and examine what His death and resurrection mean for us today.

The core message of Christianity is the good news that Christ died to save us from our sins. His offer of salvation is available to anyone who believes in Him, but it is up to us to decide if we will accept or reject this precious gift. In this section, we’ll explore what it means to believe in Jesus and how to receive His gift of eternal salvation.

Jesus spoke often of His return, and the Bible gives us a clear picture of the things that will happen in the end times. In this section, we’ll take a look at what Jesus says about His second coming and what we can expect in the days leading up to it.