Roll Up: Jesus’ Praise, Correction, Acceptance, Protection, & Compassion

This month we looked at 7 Character elements of Jesus and tried to get a clearer picture of God.

We started at the unexpected place of discovering that Jesus praises and compliments imperfect people. For me, this was delightful to discover Jesus complimenting Nathaniel: “Here is an Israelite in whom there is no guile.” Jesus praises Nathaniel for being a pretty honest guy and not having much hypocrisy. We also looked at Jesus praising Peter for having heard from the Father THE insight that He, Jesus was the actual Messiah and Christ. We know a large number of Peter’s failures, but Jesus compliments him regarding this success. It is not a new concept that Jesus/God might be convicting us of some sin or failure. However, it may be  a new insight that Jesus, and therefore God, may find many things to praise us for! The “knowledge” that God is this kind of person can radically change how we perceive Him relating to us! In life we can feel we aren’t doing enough, or that we are always failing, or we feel guilty all the time over nothing specific. That voice of constant accusation (verses good conviction) is not the Lord’s voice but Satan’s. He accuses believer and unbeliever night and day. Figuring out that God actually praises us for things helps us “tune in” to His voice and tune out the enemy’s voice. Knowing God’s character helps us not confuse the enemy’s voice with God’s.

We then looked at how Jesus disciplines or corrects His followers when they are making huge mistakes. James and John wanted to call down fire on a village of people because they rejected Jesus request to stay there. These brothers were deeply offended but acted very rashly and harshly. Jesus “sets them straight” and strongly corrects them without rejecting them. Jesus knows how to praise His followers but He also has the strength to correct them for the good of the people around them. It is that combination of Lamb and Lion once again (Rev 5:5 & 6)

Contrast His correction with the way Jesus extends acceptance and mercy to the Thief on the Cross. This criminal can do no “good works” to earn his salvation. All he can do is be honest about His sins and turn to Jesus for help – which is exactly what he does. Jesus immediately receives the man and confirms that he will be saved. Jesus’ acceptance is always given in the face of true repentance. (Even our repentance does not imply it is perfect repentance, just that it is sincere repentance. Jesus accepts this.)

We also looked at Jesus’ desire to protect the people of Jerusalem from Herod, the fox, and to gather them like chicks under His wings of protection. Jesus is constantly speaking to us to protect us from the oppression of others and from the sin we choose ourselves. He wants to shroud us in protection. He does this by speaking to us and asking us to draw near in obedience. Lastly we saw the patience of Jesus to instruct and correct His followers right in the middle of them arguing (intensely) about which one of them was the greatest. In the middle of selfish ambition Jesus grows His disciples and challenges them through instruction.

Jesus is the #1 best picture of God in all the world and in all of human history. In the face of Jesus you see the character of the invisible God! Jesus praise and compliments for imperfect people reveals God’s praise for imperfect people. Jesus’ correction and discipline for His followers reveals how God corrects and disciplines us, without rejection, to prune and grow us for greater fruit bearing. Jesus’ acceptance of the thief on the cross reveals that God is truly accepting all who turn to Him. Jesus’ desire to protect the people from Herod reveals God’s longing to protect us. Jesus’ patience with His followers reveals how God’s bears with us in our sins and failures to make us more fruitful! God is just like Jesus (John 14:9)

Prayer Activity:  I have just posted 6 or 7 examples of “Praying Jesus Character” at http://wp.me/p4K6bo-aA.

Try converting the Events of Jesus’ Character into Prayer!