What was the historical Jesus like? Who was Jesus as a person?
The Bible reveals many of the characteristics that show what Jesus Christ was like as a person during His earthly life. While the following descriptors do not include every aspect revealed in Scripture, it is clear from these examples that Jesus reflected the attributes of His divine nature through the personality and actions of His human body.
Jesus was a great teacher. Following His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, we are told, "And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes" (Matthew 7:28-29).
Jesus was a healer. Numerous healings by Jesus are recorded in the Gospels. Matthew 14:14 notes, "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick."
Jesus was a miracle worker. The Gospel writers record at least 35 miracles by Jesus. Many additional miracles were clearly not mentioned (John 21:25).
Jesus was a person of compassion. He saw the people as sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36), met their needs for hunger (Matthew 15:32), and wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35).
Jesus was perfect in wisdom. Even at a young age, the religious teachers recognized this attribute, "And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers" (Luke 2:47).
Jesus was perfect and never sinned as a person, despite temptations from the devil (Matthew 4:1-10). Jesus quoted God's Word to resist temptation and avoid sin. Hebrews 4:15 teaches Jesus was "one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
Jesus was a servant. Mark 10:45 teaches, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Philippians 2:6-7 says, "though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant."
In His humanity, Jesus cared for those in need (Matthew 25), taught God's truth, followed God's will, served as a faithful friend (John 13), and offered His life on behalf of others. His life provides a perfect example for us today to live as those focused on God's priorities and honoring the Lord with our lives.
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