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We are studying the life of Christ for the first
six months of 2011. So in this brief series we
are exploring the importance of our study, to
help us make the best use of our time and be as
productive as possible.
Learn About Salvation
Jesus came to seek and save the lost, so everything
we do in respect to Jesus and His church has something
to do with salvation, since He's the Savior of
the body (Eph. 5:23).
Studying the life of Christ, we sometimes learn
about the role of God and Jesus relating to our
salvation, other times we study Jesus' teaching
about salvation, and other times we study how
to live so we can be saved.
Jesus has all authority, including authority
to forgive sins, so we need to know everything
possible about Him (Matt. 28:18; Lk. 5:24). One
day we'll stand before Him in judgment, and be
judged by His word (Jn. 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Thus as we study the life of Christ, it's good
to ask, "What does this have to do with my salvation?"
and "How can this help me teach others, so they
will obey the Lord and be saved?"
Learn About being a Disciple of Christ
As Christians, we are Jesus' disciples as we walk
in His footsteps (1 Pet. 2:21).
From the gospels we learn how to be converted
and become disciples, then how to live as disciples.
- "'Go therefore and make disciples of all
the nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded
you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the
end of the age'" (Matt. 28:19-20).
Our goal is to be like Jesus, though we know
people will mistreat us like they mistreated Him.
- "'A disciple is not above his teacher, nor
a slave above his master. It is enough for the
disciple that he become like his teacher,
and the slave like his master. If they have
called the head of the house Beelzebul, how
much more will they malign the members of his
household'" (Matt. 10:24b-25)!
As Jesus' disciples, we put Him first in our
lives, taking up our cross and following Him,
and giving up our possessions in dedication to
Him.
- "'If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate
his own father and mother and wife and children
and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his
own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever
does not carry his own cross and come
after Me cannot be My disciple. . . . So then,
none of you can be My disciple who does not
give up all his own possessions'" (Lk.
14:26-27, 33).
Learn How to Teach
Jesus is called the master teacher, which is a
fitting term though it's not in the Bible.
The meaning of the phrase is that Jesus is the
best teacher, and best role model we have for
teaching. Thus, studying and imitating His teaching
techniques are worthy endeavors.
As we do this, though, we must realize that
we don't have the same divine inspiration of Jesus,
nor do we have His authority. So we must examine
Jesus' teaching and put them into context of what
we are authorized and capable of doing today,
as His disciples.
Learn About the Apostles
As we learn about Jesus, we also learn about the
twelve apostles who worked with Him for three
and a half years. Eleven of these men were commissioned
to teach us the things of God including salvation,
the way we should live, and the way we should
conduct ourselves in the church.
We learn from their daily experiences and occasional
mistakes, while they lived and worked with Jesus
on earth, and then later after Jesus ascension
to heaven.
Understanding the background and personalities
of the apostles helps us learn life lessons, and
better understand the word of God which was delivered
through them (2 Cor. 5:20).
Indeed, we have a relationship with the apostles
through the word of God which they delivered.
And having fellowship with the apostles through
the word, we have fellowship with the Father and
the Son (1 Jn. 1:1-4).
Learn How to Prepare for Judgment
One day we will all stand before Jesus in judgment
(2 Cor. 5:10).
Judgment will be based on whether we obeyed
Him (Heb. 5:9). If we obeyed Jesus while on earth,
we will be saved. But if we disobeyed, we will
be lost.
Life on earth is for preparation to stand before
Jesus in judgment. So, studying the life of Christ
prepares us for that day.
Conclusion
Studying the life of Christ helps us in many ways.
Perhaps most importantly, it helps us prepare
for judgment, so we'll be found faithful to our
Lord, and enter into eternity with Him.
As we study the life of Jesus the next six months,
let's get the most we can from our study, and
make certain we're obeying Jesus and ready for
judgment.
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