Friday afternoon at 3pm, Jesus took His final breath. He would return to life Sunday morning, probably around 6am. If we are asking the question, “What was Jesus really like?”, what could we possibly learn from these 39 hours?
First, He proved that He was a man of truth. Nine different times are recorded where He predicted His upcoming death. (Jn 3:14; Mt 12:38-40; cf. Lk 11:24-36 ; Jn 6:51; Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9; Jn 11:55-12:11; Jn 12:23-24, 30-32; Mt 26:1-2; Mt 26:31-32; Lk 22:35-38; Mt 26:26-28) And these are just the recorded claims. Consider Mt 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, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” No doubt there were other times which are not recorded. He proved, in His crucifixion, that He only spoke the truth.
Second, Jesus claimed to be the Son of God on several occasions in the New Testament: (Jn 10:30-33; Jn 8:58; Mk 14:61-62; Jn 5:18; Mt 16:16-17; Mt 3:17; Lk 22:70) Father God confirmed that with spoken words 2 times: “This is My Son whom I love …” Then on the day of the crucifixion, at noon, Father God poured out darkness throughout Jerusalem. Then when Jesus took His last breath: 1-the Temple curtain torn in two from top to bottom; 2- an earthquake shook the Jerusalem area, splitting rocks all over; tombs were opened; bodies of many holy people raised; the Centurion and soldiers declare, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Add 4 things: Jesus’ words, Father God’s words, God’s physical signs and the Centurion’s proclamation and the only possible conclusion is: JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD!
Third, He proved throughout His life and especially that Friday, that He only spoke the truth. So we know that His promise to the thief, that he would be with Jesus that very day in Paradise, came true. What do we learn about Jesus? He was a soul winner to the very end.
Fourth, Jesus transformed the lives of 2 members of the Jewish Sanhedrin, their 70-member Supreme Court. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both members of the Sanhedrin, put their livelihood and reputation on the line when they claimed Jesus’ body and buried Him. Surely they lost their standing in Jerusalem. That Friday, they sacrificed everything they had attained in their Jewish life, in exchange for salvation with the Son of God. Even though dead, Jesus could transform 2 lives. Dead? Body, yes! Soul/spirit, no! Very much alive.
Fifth, Jesus demonstrated His love for and influence on the lives of women, not just men and children. The women with Jesus were: Mary (His mother), Mary Magdalene, Mary (mother of James and Joses, a.k.a. “the other Mary”), Joanna, Salome (the mother of James and John), Susanna and other women from Galilee who were followers of Jesus and had traveled with Him from Galilee.
So, what was Jesus really like? He was man of truth, the Son of God, a soul-winner, a transformer of lives and a Savior of men, women and children. He was like no other in all of human history.
There is a song called How Many Kings, that my daughter recommended to me several years ago. It poses a series of questions:
“How many kings step down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me? And how many gods have poured out their hearts,
to romance a world that is torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me?”
The answer is given at the end of the song: “Only one did that for me, all for me, all for you.”
That is what Jesus was really like.
Mike “Pawdad” Sublett, Pastor @ Hi-Land Christian Church, Pampa, Texas 79065, 630-730-8015
