The words Jesus said were all meant to give life and be transformative.
They are dynamic and universally understandable. Imagine this: be there first-hand, understand Aramaic (the original language he spoke) but read it in English, be from his culture (Jewish, under Roman occupation), or even be a man.
When Jesus taught, he did not speak as one “limited” by his education or exposure from other cultures. He did not give “advice” influenced by subjective experience or theory. He taught with authority, meaning, as one who was an expert at the subject. He was humble and would even strategically demure. But you will never get the sense that he was “stumped”, insecure, or unsure of what he was saying. The fact that he made self-authenticating claims and promises is a testament that he is who he always claimed: The Way, The Truth, and The Life (Jn 14:6).
During this 40 Day challenge, take some time to daily read the “red letters” – the dialogue and specific treaching – of our Lord.
Take your pick:
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The Book of John has most of the actual words of Jesus
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Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A1-16&version=NIV
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Jesus conversation with the Samaritan Woman: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A1-42&version=NIV
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Jesus and the Woman caught in adultery: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A2-11&version=NIV
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Jesus healing the blind man: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209&version=NIV
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The Great Shepherd passage (connected to Jn. 9): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn+10%3A1-21&version=NIV
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Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11%3A1-44&version=NIV
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Jesus washes his disciples feet: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A1-17&version=NIV
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Jesus encouraging his disciples and the promise of the Holy Spirit: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014&version=NIV
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Jesus on the Vine and Branches: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A1-17&version=NIV
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Jesus prayer for you: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2017&version=NIV
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Jesus after his resurrection with Peter and others: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A30-31%2C+John+21&version=NIV
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Jesus after his resurrection on the Road to Emmaus: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24%3A13-35&version=NIV
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The Parables of Jesus: https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/parables-of-jesus/
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The Beatitudes of Jesus: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A1-12&version=NIV
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The Sermon on the Mount: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205-7&version=NIV
Of course, there are many other alternatives to ingest his Words:
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Simply reading through one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)
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Reading one chapter in the morning, one at lunch, and one at evening.
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Reading from a different version or paraphrase.
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Enhance your reading by watching episodes of “The Chosen”, “The Passion of the Christ”, or other favorite video on Youtube, Angel Studios, or RightNow Media.
If you need explanation or tips, don’t hesitate to call one of the pastors to help you!
Another way Jesus means for us to grow in his Word is – like with the two who met our resurrected Lord on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) – talk about our discoveries with others, like in a small group. Self-discovery is always enhanced in group discussion.
A final encouragement will come from our Lord, himself:
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.
John 14:21