Quote:
Originally Posted by James Griffin
What set Christ apart was NOT his appearance it was His actions and His words.
Hmmm wonder if there is a hidden lesson there somewhere.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson
I tell you what made Jesus distinctive to me what that He had compassion for others,and sought to help others with their needs,He was the most unselfish man that ever walked the earth.
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No doubt it was His message and His practical example that captivated His followers and the multitudes also.
They were captivated by a Master Rabbi, unequaled pedagogically, who could use everyday object lessons --simple parables-- and dumbfound the wise.
Quote:
46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. (Luke 2)
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But it was not just how he said it or what He said... it was the Life those words gave ... A message of Hope that those committed to Him could not imagine giving up.
Quote:
6From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
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Yet EVEN His inner circle ... marveled time and time again that He was willing to share His message w/ the most vile of sinners ... The message of compassion preached in action and deed.
After they saw him speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well ... they marveled.
Quote:
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27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
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One writer says, "They knew Jesus had clearly violated the rabbinic oral law, which said, “Let the words of the Law be burned rather than committed to a woman . . .” (
Sotah), and Hebrew men in Jesus’ day were also taught, “One is not as much as to greet a woman” (
Berakhoth)."
They along w/ the religious elite, no doubt, could never fully comprehend how this man could eat and drink w/ tax collectors, publicans, and other undesirables. He must be a glutton and a drunkard.
How could he allow sinful women to worship at his feet w/ their tears, dry them w/ their hair, and anoint him w/ perfume?
Who is this man who can forgive sins?
Who is this man who says love your enemies?
Who is this man who says pray for those who curse you?
Who is this man who says render unto Caesar what is Caesars?
Who is this man who heals on the Sabbath?
What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out?
Who is this man who says destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in 3 days?
Who is this man who claims to be the Son of God?
A man who practiced what He preached ... THE ANOINTED ONE.
Quote:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
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