WHY DOES HE DO THAT?

A few years back, a Sunday School Class I was teaching studied God in the Flesh: What Speechless Lawyers, Kneeling Soldiers and Shocked Crowds Teach Us about Jesus.  The author is Don Everts. 

Before we started the book, I asked the class to describe Jesus.  What do we know about him?  These are a few of the words they used:

Healer/Great Physician      Forgiver

Human Qualities      Mortal

Consistent      Approachable

Teacher      All Knowing

Son of God      Amazing

As we studied, we learned to think about who Jesus was interacting with and where he was at the time.  We read what Jesus said, but we also talked about why he said those words.

When our children were small, I often said things to Bill so the children would overhear.  I might tell Bill how bad my day was because Willie wouldn’t do his chores.  Or Terri would not pick up the toys.  Then Bill would come back with, “Oh I am so sorry you have had such a bad day.  I thought we would go to the Dairy Queen for ice cream, but now I think we will just stay home so you can relax.”  Without yelling at the children or even speaking to them directly, they realized there were consequences to their actions.

Jesus often did the same thing.

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law.  They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.  They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.  These men will be punished most severely.”    Luke 20:45-47

Just exactly who did Jesus want to hear these words?  Luke 20 tells us that Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts when the chief priests, teachers of the law and elders showed up and questioned him.  They were determined to trick Jesus so they could have him arrested.  But Jesus came out on top every time and they finally gave up.  Jesus talked to his disciples knowing the priests, teachers and elders were still standing around listening.  Without speaking to them directly, Jesus let them know there would be consequences for their actions

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Jesus spoke to the woman at the well – a Samaritan woman.  He stayed in a Samaritan town.  Jesus’ actions shouted, “I am for everyone!” 

Jesus knelt beside the woman caught in adultery and told those surrounding her to throw a stone – if they were without sin.  Jesus allowed them to leave without giving a sermon.  They learned from the words he did not say.

Jesus took a small child upon his lap and, to a world where children were disposable, declared “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Holding a child Jesus taught those around him that children are valuable and should be treated that way.

What Jesus said is recorded in red letters.  We need to remember his words.  But we need to understand why he said them.  We need to know who he was speaking to.  We need to know why he held the child.  Why he knelt beside the woman.  Why he had the Samaritan women get him a drink.  And why he spoke so the religious leaders would hear him.

When we finished the book, I asked the class to describe Jesus.  The description changed.  We saw Jesus, not for what he could do for us but why he did it.

He became human because he is obedient.

He teaches because he is wise.

He gives peace because he is a counselor

He heals because he is compassionate.

He forgives because he is loving.

He is ever present because he is eternal.

When we read the Bible.  When we read about Jesus, we need to do more than read the words.  We need to picture what was going on around Jesus.  We need to know the culture, because what Jesus said and his actions were radical at the time. 

When we know why he said something or why he did something, we will see the character of Jesus.