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The Works of Jesus
Jesus had a public ministry over three years. He walked extensively over the land of Israel. Wherever He went, He brought His disciples with Him. He taught them, He taught the crowds, performed miracles, and healed many diseases.
Jesus was a great Teacher. He was called a Rabbi, one respected for being well-versed in the Word of God. His major discourses are recorded in the Gospels. The Gospel of Matthew, for example, records five discourses, one of which is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
Jesus also taught the crowds who followed Him. After performing a miracle of feeding 5000 people, He taught the crowds about Himself being the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
Finally, Jesus spent much time with His disciples and taught them about God, relating to God in obedience, servanthood, following Him in discipleship, etc. In John's Gospel, Chapters 13 to 17 are devoted to what Jesus did and taught His disciples on the night before He was betrayed.
The Apostle John wrote very selectively about seven miracles which Jesus did. He also wrote that "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book" (John 20:30).
What were some of the kinds of good works that He did in the earlier part of His ministry from the following verses?
John 2:1-11
Luke 4:40-41
Acts 10:38
What other aspects of His ministry can be seen from these verses?
Luke 4:43
Matthew 13:34-35
The Gospels record that Jesus had many serious conversations with individuals. What were some of the subject matters?
John 3:1-15, especially 3:3,4,5,8
John 4:4-26, especially 4:10,15
The Work of Jesus on the Cross
Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, fed hungry multitudes, and was a friend to social outcasts and sinners. He spoke words of wisdom and power which astounded his hearers.
He lived a sinless life but was put to death as a common criminal. But his story doesn't end there. His death, his resurrection, and his ascension into heaven mark the most amazing aspects of his life on earth.
What was the purpose for Jesus' coming into the world? Matthew 1:21
What was Jesus' destiny which he told His disciples on several occasions? Matthew 16:21
What did John the Baptist call Jesus in John 1:29,36?
Note
The sacrifice of lambs played a very important role in the Jewish religious life and sacrificial system. Lambs had to be spotless, without any blemish, as they represented the perfect substitute for all the sins of the offeror. Thus Jesus, identified as God's Lamb was meant to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind.
What happened to our sins when Jesus died?
Isaiah 53:6 — "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
What qualified Jesus to be the substitute for our sins? 2 Corinthians 5:21
According to Hebrews 10:3-4 what was inadequate about the animal sacrifices?
In what way is Jesus' sacrifice superior to the animal sacrifices? Hebrews 9:13-14
If animal sacrifices are inadequate substitutes, what about other human beings?
Romans 3:10
Psalms 49:7-8
Can a person do good works to save himself? Ephesians 2:8-9
How do we take part in Jesus' sacrifice?
Acts 3:19
John 3:16
Romans 10:9-10
In summary, your response may be summarised as A-B-C:
• Admit you are a Sinner in need of God’s forgiveness
• Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross for your sins
• Confess Jesus as your Saviour and Lord
If you would like to call upon Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, here is a sample prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for drawing me to Yourself. I admit I am a sinner and deserve your judgment (Pause, and if God speaks to you about specific sins, admit them before God by name). Thank you for your forgiveness. I believe that you sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins. I confess that Jesus is God and I ask Him to enter my life as my Lord and Saviour. I desire to follow and love Him as my Lord. Amen
Remember: It’s not the prayer that saves; it’s the repentance and faith behind the prayer that lays hold of salvation.
Jesus Rose from the Dead
What did Jesus say would happen to Him after His death? John 2:19-22
Jesus appeared to many people after His resurrection. Who were some of the eye-witnesses? 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
What did the apostles repeatedly testify to, despite opposition and persecution?
Acts 3:14-15
Acts 4:33
What does the resurrection prove? Romans 1:4
Jesus Ascended to Heaven
In Acts 1:9-11, as the disciples watched, what happened to Jesus?
In John 14:1-2, for what reason did Jesus tell his disciples he was going to heaven?
In John 14:3, what else did he promise?
In Ephesians 1:20-23, over how much does Christ now rule?
Review the questions and your answers in this chapter. Have you learned something that is especially important to you? If so, write it down here, and explain how it can help you: