Not a Tame Lion
In the Easter season we look to, meditate on, and celebrate three of the four most important days in history: the death of Jesus Christ, the day of silence between the Cross and the Resurrection, and the Resurrection.
The fourth is the birth of Jesus Christ, God incarnate, come to redeem and restore.
During the season of Good Friday and Resurrection Day we give even greater focus than normal to the One who is ever our focus and heartbeat: Jesus. We consider His life in eternity and his life in time. We look to His exemplary life and His timeless teaching. We marvel at His miracles and His selfless service. We bow before the Cross, payment for our sins against God. We weep with joy at the door of the empty tomb, raising our voices to worship the Risen Savior and Lord!
We join with the Apostle John in gazing on Jesus. As a young man, he was one of the first to see the risen Savior. As an old man, John was still “seeing” Jesus. And he was inviting us to see Him, hear Him, touch Him, and be touched by Him:
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” I John 1.1-4
Recently, we asked the members of Journey Pastoral Coaching to share their favorite story of Jesus in the New Testament, a story that is personally meaningful in their lives. In list form, here are the Jesus stories they named, each one followed by a brief reason why the story is so personally meaningful to them.
It is our hope that one or more of these story titles and descriptions will “jump off the page” into your heart and prompt you to find and read it in your Bible. As you do, may the truth of that story seize your heart with freedom, hope, love, joy, peace, and, if need be, salvation.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
THE QUESTION: What is your favorite story about Jesus?
The Parable of the Lost Sons. Luke 15:11-32
This story was a big part of my personal decision to follow Christ. Particularly because I recognized myself as the older brother of the Parable.
Jesus Raises Lazarus. John 11
This story shows both Jesus’ unlimited power, and his love and compassion for a friend. I like to think that’s how Jesus feels about me and that this kind of power can help me in my lowest moments as well.
The Resurrection. John 20
Promise delivered! Without the resurrection, the cross is only the death of a well-meaning man. But with the resurrection, Jesus is who he said he is, and so, he did what he said he came to do: give us eternal life and restore all things.
“Holding Fast ‘Till the End.” Matthew 11:1-6
It’s my favorite because John was looking to be rescued from prison; but Jesus said blessed is the one who doesn’t fall away because of me. He said help was coming don’t leave the faith because of it.
Jesus In the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:36-46
I used to think Jesus was reprimanding the disciples. However, in this passage the compassion of Jesus is expressed as he acknowledges the humanity of the disciples’ inability physically, and affirms their heart/spirit’s willingness.
Jesus Heals the Leper. (Matthew 8:1-4)
I just love the weight of what Jesus’ words of “I am willing” and the touch that the leper longed for before he was healed.
Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness. Matthew 4:1-11
This story makes Jesus personal to me. Jesus chose as God to experience temptation and show us how to overcome it.
The Empty Tomb. Luke 24:1-8
Narrative, eyewitness account of the empty tomb summarized in the angels words, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
Jesus and the Sinful Woman. John 8:1-11
This passage has been instrumental in releasing me from shame and condemnation. I see the compassion and protection that Jesus offers to this woman, and I know He offers the same to me.
The Death of Jesus. Mark 15:38, Matthew 27:51, Luke 23:45
It has always facinated me that when Jesus died the curtain of the temple separating people from the Holy of Holies was torn in two. Jesus’ death granted us full, uninhibited access to God. Immediately. Jesus’ death gives us the communion with God we have today. It is something we take for granted too often.
Jesus and the Crowds. Matthew 14:22-23
Jesus just performed an extraordinary miracle in front of thousands of people, yet his next action goes against modern-day strategy. He sends away the crowds, sends away his team, and goes to be alone with his Father.
The Woman Caught in Adultery. John 8
Grace is struggle for me. To see Jesus offer the woman grace and forgiveness before she even shows contrition astounds me. The Jesus I see here is the same Jesus I see in my wife.
The Birth of Jesus. Luke 2.1-20
God became man to bring us into right relationship with Him and restore all things. How can you not be amazed at the incarnation!
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead. (John 11:1-44)
Some of Jesus’ closest friends experience His humanity (“Jesus wept”; v. 35) and His divinity (“I AM the Resurrection and the Life”; v. 25) in one of the most life-changing ways imaginable!
Jesus Restores Simon Peter. John 21:1-20
This is such a beautiful picture of the mercy and grace of Jesus being offered to a flawed, imperfect, even sinful disciple. Jesus restores to the uttermost 🙂
Jesus and Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1-10
Clear picture of Jesus’ heart for the lost. No one is too far gone to be saved!
Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son. Luke 7:11-14
His compassion is in full display
The Woman at the Well. John 4
Jesus breaks cultural norms by talking to a woman in public. Not only so, but he doesn’t entertain her trying to distract him with theological conversation; rather, he talks about her life and her brokenness. In John, this is one of the most clear statements Jesus makes about being the Messiah, and it’s to a Samaritan.
Jesus Casts a Demon Out of a Boy. Mark 9:14-29
I went with my first thought because I feel there’s something revealing in the fact that 10 years after I really felt that God spoke to me it still pops up first. I love that the father of the boy asks for help clumsily and does not have perfect faith or understanding, but simply asks for Jesus to intervene in v. 24 “I believe; help my unbelief!”
The Criminals Crucified. Luke. 23:32-43
This is account is so meaningful to me because it presents salvation in its simplest, most concentrated form.
The “Markan Sandwich” – Jesus Heals Woman With Issue of Blood and Then Raises the Little Girl. Mark 5: 21-43
Jesus responds to faith, He responds to faith involuntarily of the woman, then turns and encourages faith in the dad.
The Daughter of Jairus and the Woman With the Issue of Blood. Luke 8:40-56
Jesus had a destination he was heading to, but stopped to help someone along the way. This is every day life as a christian: helping those we come in contact with along the way.
Jesus Heals a Woman On the Way to Raise Jairus’ daughter. Mark 5:21-43
While on his way to heal the daughter of Jairus, an “important” religious leader, Jesus allows himself to be interrupted by a woman society deemed unclean. He ends up healing this woman AND raising Jairus’ daughter back to life, revealing how much he cares for all people, both the “important” and the unseen.
Jesus’ Resurrection and Post-Resurrection Appearances. Luke 24
All of Jesus life would have been meaningless had it not been for his resurrection. This is the grandiose full display of the power of God for all the world to see and know the truth.
Jesus in the Garden Gethsemane. Matthew 26:36-46
It shows how Jesus wrestled with the will of God just as I do. But he gives us the proper response to the will of the Father.
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead. John 11
In this story you see the deity and the humanity of Jesus. His power to resurrection and his empathy when he sees those he loves hurting.
Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane: Jesus prays to His father to remove his cup of suffering if at all possible but ultimately surrenders to the will of His father. Matthew 26:36-46
This passage is my favorite because I think it’s a beautiful and raw moment where His “flesh/body/emotions” as a man can be seen. Despite the internal battle He’s facing, He surrenders to the will of His father.
The Woman at the Well. John 4
It shows that Jesus cares even about those that society puts aside
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives. Luke 22:39-46
This is one of the best displays of Jesus humanity and reliance on the Holy Spirit to do His Father’s will. He sees the pain and agony ahead of him and is afraid, yet willing to follow through because it is God’s will.
Jesus and the Woman at the Well. John 8
I think I like this story the most because Jesus gives us the picture of his humanity. Even though he was wearied from his journey he still ministered to the woman.
Peter’s Redemption and Mission. John 21:15-19
Peter’s attitude and personality remind me of myself. Jesus didn’t allow Peter to wallow in self pitty, instead He gave him a mission.
Mary & Martha. Luke 10:38-42
This is my favorite story about Jesus because it shows two people who are doing what they think is right in the eyes of Jesus. Martha (and me) were reminded that sometimes the best thing we can do is just sit at the feet of Jesus and take in all of His goodness and glory.
Jesus Calls the 12 Disciples. Matthew 4:18-22
Jesus calls ordinary men to follow Him… knowing very well who they are and what they do. And He calls them in a way that is personal to them… using fishing terms for fishermen.
Jesus Reinstates Peter: Askes Peter if He Loved HIM. John 21:15-19
This story reminds me of the love that Jesus has for me despite my mistakes and that I lead out of a love for him first. My love for Jesus is the greatest thing I can give to Jesus.
FINAL THOUGHT
In her thought-provoking essay, “The Greatest Drama Ever Staged,” philosopher Dorothy Sayers writes,
“The people who hanged Christ never, to do them justice, accused him of being a bore — on the contrary, they thought him too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have very efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certified him ‘meek and mild,’ and recommended him as a fitting household pet for pale curates and pious old ladies.”
C.S. Lewis likened Jesus to a great lion, warning us that “He is not a tame lion.”
It’s time we focus again on the Resurrected Christ in all of His glory, truth, and power! It’s time we put away our small, self-sized images of this “whatever makes me feel good” Jesus and let us see Him as He is: King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Savior and Son of God! Redeemer and Resurrection! Immanuel – God With Us! His name is Jesus!
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Saddled with large student debt, just beginning to set up homes and start families, and serving in low paying first and second positions, Millennials are those who most desire but can least afford to pay for pastoral coaching.
We are able to do so thanks to the faithful and generous support of individuals and churches like yours who want to see young leaders not only enter the ministry, but remain in the ministry.
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