MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
Over the past few months, we’ve explored the life of Jesus the Messiah, both Son of God and Son of Man. He was recognized as a man of authority, love, and compassion. This week, we’ll focus on the finer points of Jesus’ character, including His relatability, sense of humor, fairness, wisdom, and His nature that was considerate, grateful, and consistent. He did not exhibit self-pity, spite, or seek personal acclaim. I’m indebted to Everett F. Harrison for compiling a list, presented here with modifications.
The gospels emphasize Jesus’ actions and interactions, allowing us to discern His character through observation. The New Testament urges believers to model their lives after Jesus, drawing on firsthand experience, oral history, and the gospels. An account in Matthew 8:24-27 tells of Jesus and the disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee. A great storm arose, covering the boat with waves while Jesus slept. His disciples, fearing for their lives, woke Him, crying, "’Save us, Lord; we are perishing!’ Jesus responded, ‘Why are you timid, you men of little faith?’ He then rebuked the winds and sea, and it became perfectly calm. The disciples marveled, saying, ‘What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’" We may ask the same question.
Two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:32, after encountering the resurrected Jesus, said, "’Did not our hearts burn within us while He spoke to us on the road, explaining the Scriptures?’” Who is this man who warms hearts?
Jesus lived a relatable life. He attended weddings, wept with those who grieved, and dined with friends, Pharisees, and tax collectors alike. His multifaceted character attracted men, women, and children from all walks of life. He drew people so close they felt near to God, though His life was far above theirs. Multitudes flocked to Him, and many left jobs and homes to follow Him. Peter declared, "’Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’” (Mark 14:31). Others, like the rich young ruler, struggled with the cost of discipleship, though Jesus felt love for him. "’Go, sell all you possess, give to the poor, and follow Me.’ But the man went away grieved, unable to part with his wealth" (Mark 10:21-22).
His sense of humor shone through in nicknames like “sons of thunder” for James and John (Mark 3:17), who impulsively urged destruction of a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54). His irony sparkled in Matthew 7:3, "’Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but not the log in your own?’” or in Matthew 23:24, pointing out absurdity. "’You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!’”
Jesus embodied fairness. He defended His disciples, wrongly criticized over Sabbath disputes (Mark 2:23-28). Yet He corrected them when needed, as when He rebuked their fear during a storm: "’Why are you so timid? How is it you have no faith?’” (Mark 4:40). He sharply addressed Peter’s resistance to God’s plan, saying, "’Get behind Me, Satan! You are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s’” (Matthew 16:23).
His consideration for others was evident. When raising Jairus’ daughter, He sent away the crowd to spare the family intrusion, then ensured the girl was fed (Luke 8:40-56). In Jericho, He paused amid crowds to heal a blind man (Luke 18:35-43). In the Garden, facing arrest, He restored Malchus’ ear after it was cut off (Luke 22:51).
Jesus expressed gratitude. He praised the faith of non-Jews, like the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:28) and the Roman centurion (Luke 7:9). He honored John the Baptist, saying, "’Among those born of women, there is no one greater than John’” (Luke 7:28). When a woman poured perfume on His head and was criticized for waste, Jesus defended her: "’She has done a good deed to Me. This will be spoken of in memory of her’” (Mark 14:1-9).
His actions were consistent with His words. He emphasized prayer and lived it out. After declaring, "’Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends’” (John 15:13), He demonstrated that love on the cross.
Unafraid of confronting opponents, He showed wisdom by leaving Jerusalem to avoid fruitless debates with Pharisees (John 4:1-3), and He withdrew to Ephraim after opposition from the Sanhedrin (John 11:54).
Jesus was not troubled by self-pity. When He said He had “no place to lay his head” (Luke 9:58), it was a heads-up to followers, not a plea for sympathy. Under the cross’s weight, He told mourners to weep for themselves, not Him (Luke 23:28).
He wasn’t spiteful; when rejected by Samaritans, He simply moved on, focused on a higher calling (Luke 9:51-56).
He didn’t seek personal acclaim. He often asked those He healed to keep quiet, as in Matthew 15:31: “The multitude marveled as they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.”
Matthew 12:15-21 captures His nature, quoting Isaiah 42:2-4: “Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased… He will not quarrel, nor cry out… A battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory. And in His name the Gentiles will hope.”
These finer points of Jesus’ character reveal a model for anyone imitating Christ. Next week, we’ll explore the qualities fundamental to who He was.
