The facets of the character and work of Jesus Christ are innumerable. Thus John
recorded these facts in his gospel account: "Many other signs truly did Jesus in the
presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written
that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye
might have life through his name" (Jn 20:30-31). Then again in John 21:25 he added
this further thought. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which
if they should be written every one, I suppose, that even the world itself could not
contain the books that should be written. Amen."
Therefore, let us, for this single study, take only a few thoughts from the life and
work of our Saviour for consideration.
I. Recall then the meekness of our Master and Lord:
A. The word, meek, is never synonymous with timidity or weakness. It merely has to do
with the complete elimination of any consideration of "self" to the benefit of others.
1. I Corinthians 10:1, Paul used the attribute as a means of appeal to the church at
Corinth. "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ."
2. Matthew 11:28-30, " . . . . for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find
rest to your souls."
B. Humility is of course closely related to meekness.
1. This attitude was prophesied of Him in Zechariah 9:9. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter
of Zion . . . . thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly,
and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."
2. Thus also "He took upon him" literally "the form of a servant" (Phil 2:7), so "He
riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself
. . . . to wash the disciples' feet" (Jn 13:4-5).
3. Strangely, as far as the world is concerned, He associated with the poor, the
despised and those who were outcasts. Hear then, "then drew near unto him all the
publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying,
this man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (Lk 15:1-2).
II. Next, we should consider the miracles of our mighty Lord:
A. These were designed primarily that He might be publicly and visibly "approved of
God" (Acts 2:22) and thus identified to Israel as their Messiah-Saviour.
B. The two greatest miracles with which He had to do and by the which His deity is
unmistakably proven were those regarding His own incarnation and later His own
resurrection. Thus were they seen to be divine credentials--a manifest sign--that His
was a special mission and ministry on this earth as given to Him by the Father.
C. Miracles are given several names in the Word as they relate to Christ:
1. First, the name "wonder" is indicative of the astonishment which the act and work
itself produces upon those who witness it. (See this effect in the following: Mk 2:12;
4:41; 6:51; 7:37; and Acts 3:10-11). This word is never used to apply to miracles
except in conjunction with some other descriptive. They, for instance, are called
"signs and wonders" (Acts 14:3). The purpose then for this type of miracle would be to
startle or to arrest attention.
2. The second word is "signs" meaning a token or indication of the very presence and
working of almighty God. Signs then stress the purpose of the miracle itself. Their
chief value is in what they reveal of the grace and power of the doer. Hence the Jews
asked, "What sign showest thou?" (Jn 2:18). A sign then indicates a seal of power and
authority. Again they say, "We would see a sign from thee" (Mt 12:38) and again, "Show
us a sign from heaven" (Mt 16:1). When Christ sent out the apostles, it is recorded
that, "the Lord worked with them, confirming the Word by signs following" (Mk 16:20).
3. The third expression is "powers" which are also "mighty works" or "mighty deeds."
4. In healing the paralytic in Mark 2:1-12 all three are seen:
a. This act was a "wonder" because "all who saw it were amazed."
b. It was a "power" for, at Christ's word, the man "arose, took up his bed, and
walked."
c. It was a "sign" because by the entire experience men knew "that the Son of man hath
power on earth to forgive sins."
5. Miracles are often simply called "works" because it seemed so natural that Christ
do them. His name then is rightly called "Wonderful" (Isa 9:6) because He doeth great
wonders.
D. There were over 40 recorded public miracles performed by Christ. For reference,
these miracles can be identified by six classifications.
1. Those related to the raising of the dead (four times)
a. The only son of a widow (Lk 7:11-16)
b. The daughter of Jairus (Mk 5:22-24)
c. Lazarus (Jn 11:32-44)
d. His own body (Mk 16:9-11)
2. Those dealing with the casting out of devils (seven times)(See Mk 1:23-26; 9:14-26;
Mt 12:22-23; 8:28-34; 9:32-35; 15:22-28; 17:14-21)
3. Those of the healing of bodies (at least 18 times)(See Jn 4:46-54; 5:1-16; 9; Mk
1:29-31; 1:40-45; 2:3-12; 3:1-5; 5:25-34; 8:22-26; 10:46-52; Mt 8:5-13; 9:27-31;
7:32-37; Lk 13:11-17; 14:1-6; 17:11-19; 18:35-43; 22:50-51)
4. The miracles associated with miraculous supply (six)
a. Water changed to wine (Jn 2:1-11)
b. Peter's net filled with fish (Lk 5:1-11)
c. 5,000 men fed (Jn 6:5-14; Mt 14:15-21)
d. 4,000 men fed (Mt 15:32-39)
e. A fish providing tax money (Mt 17:27)
f. A great haul of fish (Jn 21:6-14)
5. Next are those two miracles connected with judgment:
a. The swine drowned in the sea (Mt 8:30-32)
b. The fig tree withered (Mt 21:18-21)
6. Following these are those involving deliverance (at least four)(See Lk 4:30;
8:22-25; Mt 14:28-31; Jn 6:21)
III. In the third place, notice the ministry of Jesus Christ:
A. The first year of His public ministry was enacted in various parts of Palestine.
1. It began with His baptism in Jordan (Mt 3:13-17).
2. Followed by His temptation by Satan (Mk 1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13)
3. Next came John's activities and identification of Him (Jn 1:29-34)
4. Then Jesus did His first miracle (Jn 2:1-11)
5. After that, we see His first visit to Capernaum (Jn 2:12)
6. Next was the cleansing of the temple (Jn 3:13-22) followed by the interview with
Nicodemus (Jn 3:1-21) in Jerusalem.
7. This was followed by John's disavowal of any jealousy about Him (Jn 3:22-36)
8. Then He left Judea (Jn 4:1-4)
9. Immediately thereafter the witness to the woman of Samaria (Jn 4:5-42).
10. Finally you have His return to Galilee (Jn 4:43-45).
B. Then came the Galilean ministry of probably one-and-a-half-years duration.
C. Next came the training of the 12.
D. Then was the later Judean ministry.
E. Finally, His closing ministry in Jerusalem. (The last four parts of His ministry
were not detailed in for time and space purposes. The first was detailed out for
purposes of example.)
IV. The most important part of Christ's work deals with His divine mission on earth:
A. This is the death of Christ.
B. The importance of it is proven by:
1. Its connection with the incarnation (see Heb 2:14).
2. The prominent place it is given in the Word (Lk 24:27, 44).
3. Its position in the gospel (I Cor 15:1, 3-4).
4. It will be the central theme of the song of the saints in heaven (Rev 5:8-12).
C. The death's necessity is revealed by these things:
1. God's holiness required it (Hab 1:13)
2. God's love required it (Jn 3:16)
3. Man's sin required it (Eph 2:13; I Pet 2:25)
4. Scriptures' prophesies required it (Lk 24:25-27)
5. God's purpose required it (Acts 2:3)
D. What then was the nature of that death?
1. It was no accident (Mt 16:21)
2. He was no martyr (Jn 10:17-18)
3. It was predetermined (Acts 2:23)
4. It was voluntary (Gal 2:20)
5. It was vicarious (on the behalf of others) (I Pet 3:18)
6. It was sacrificial, an offering for sin (I Cor 5:7)
7. It was expiatory (rendered us as satisfactory)(Gal 3:13)
8. It was propitiatory (I Jn 4:10)(both an offering and the altar where the sacrifice
was accepted)
9. It was redemptive (ransomed by a price)(Gal 4:4-5)
10. It was substitutionary (in the place and stead of others)(I Pet 2:24).
E. For whom did He die?
1. The whole world (I Jn 2:2)
2. Each individual (Heb 2:9)
3. The sinful, the unjust and the ungodly (Rm 5:5-8)
4. For the church (Eph 5:25-27)
In the next lesson, some of the results of the death of Christ will be considered. JM
recorded these facts in his gospel account: "Many other signs truly did Jesus in the
presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written
that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye
might have life through his name" (Jn 20:30-31). Then again in John 21:25 he added
this further thought. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which
if they should be written every one, I suppose, that even the world itself could not
contain the books that should be written. Amen."
Therefore, let us, for this single study, take only a few thoughts from the life and
work of our Saviour for consideration.
I. Recall then the meekness of our Master and Lord:
A. The word, meek, is never synonymous with timidity or weakness. It merely has to do
with the complete elimination of any consideration of "self" to the benefit of others.
1. I Corinthians 10:1, Paul used the attribute as a means of appeal to the church at
Corinth. "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ."
2. Matthew 11:28-30, " . . . . for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find
rest to your souls."
B. Humility is of course closely related to meekness.
1. This attitude was prophesied of Him in Zechariah 9:9. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter
of Zion . . . . thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly,
and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."
2. Thus also "He took upon him" literally "the form of a servant" (Phil 2:7), so "He
riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself
. . . . to wash the disciples' feet" (Jn 13:4-5).
3. Strangely, as far as the world is concerned, He associated with the poor, the
despised and those who were outcasts. Hear then, "then drew near unto him all the
publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying,
this man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (Lk 15:1-2).
II. Next, we should consider the miracles of our mighty Lord:
A. These were designed primarily that He might be publicly and visibly "approved of
God" (Acts 2:22) and thus identified to Israel as their Messiah-Saviour.
B. The two greatest miracles with which He had to do and by the which His deity is
unmistakably proven were those regarding His own incarnation and later His own
resurrection. Thus were they seen to be divine credentials--a manifest sign--that His
was a special mission and ministry on this earth as given to Him by the Father.
C. Miracles are given several names in the Word as they relate to Christ:
1. First, the name "wonder" is indicative of the astonishment which the act and work
itself produces upon those who witness it. (See this effect in the following: Mk 2:12;
4:41; 6:51; 7:37; and Acts 3:10-11). This word is never used to apply to miracles
except in conjunction with some other descriptive. They, for instance, are called
"signs and wonders" (Acts 14:3). The purpose then for this type of miracle would be to
startle or to arrest attention.
2. The second word is "signs" meaning a token or indication of the very presence and
working of almighty God. Signs then stress the purpose of the miracle itself. Their
chief value is in what they reveal of the grace and power of the doer. Hence the Jews
asked, "What sign showest thou?" (Jn 2:18). A sign then indicates a seal of power and
authority. Again they say, "We would see a sign from thee" (Mt 12:38) and again, "Show
us a sign from heaven" (Mt 16:1). When Christ sent out the apostles, it is recorded
that, "the Lord worked with them, confirming the Word by signs following" (Mk 16:20).
3. The third expression is "powers" which are also "mighty works" or "mighty deeds."
4. In healing the paralytic in Mark 2:1-12 all three are seen:
a. This act was a "wonder" because "all who saw it were amazed."
b. It was a "power" for, at Christ's word, the man "arose, took up his bed, and
walked."
c. It was a "sign" because by the entire experience men knew "that the Son of man hath
power on earth to forgive sins."
5. Miracles are often simply called "works" because it seemed so natural that Christ
do them. His name then is rightly called "Wonderful" (Isa 9:6) because He doeth great
wonders.
D. There were over 40 recorded public miracles performed by Christ. For reference,
these miracles can be identified by six classifications.
1. Those related to the raising of the dead (four times)
a. The only son of a widow (Lk 7:11-16)
b. The daughter of Jairus (Mk 5:22-24)
c. Lazarus (Jn 11:32-44)
d. His own body (Mk 16:9-11)
2. Those dealing with the casting out of devils (seven times)(See Mk 1:23-26; 9:14-26;
Mt 12:22-23; 8:28-34; 9:32-35; 15:22-28; 17:14-21)
3. Those of the healing of bodies (at least 18 times)(See Jn 4:46-54; 5:1-16; 9; Mk
1:29-31; 1:40-45; 2:3-12; 3:1-5; 5:25-34; 8:22-26; 10:46-52; Mt 8:5-13; 9:27-31;
7:32-37; Lk 13:11-17; 14:1-6; 17:11-19; 18:35-43; 22:50-51)
4. The miracles associated with miraculous supply (six)
a. Water changed to wine (Jn 2:1-11)
b. Peter's net filled with fish (Lk 5:1-11)
c. 5,000 men fed (Jn 6:5-14; Mt 14:15-21)
d. 4,000 men fed (Mt 15:32-39)
e. A fish providing tax money (Mt 17:27)
f. A great haul of fish (Jn 21:6-14)
5. Next are those two miracles connected with judgment:
a. The swine drowned in the sea (Mt 8:30-32)
b. The fig tree withered (Mt 21:18-21)
6. Following these are those involving deliverance (at least four)(See Lk 4:30;
8:22-25; Mt 14:28-31; Jn 6:21)
III. In the third place, notice the ministry of Jesus Christ:
A. The first year of His public ministry was enacted in various parts of Palestine.
1. It began with His baptism in Jordan (Mt 3:13-17).
2. Followed by His temptation by Satan (Mk 1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13)
3. Next came John's activities and identification of Him (Jn 1:29-34)
4. Then Jesus did His first miracle (Jn 2:1-11)
5. After that, we see His first visit to Capernaum (Jn 2:12)
6. Next was the cleansing of the temple (Jn 3:13-22) followed by the interview with
Nicodemus (Jn 3:1-21) in Jerusalem.
7. This was followed by John's disavowal of any jealousy about Him (Jn 3:22-36)
8. Then He left Judea (Jn 4:1-4)
9. Immediately thereafter the witness to the woman of Samaria (Jn 4:5-42).
10. Finally you have His return to Galilee (Jn 4:43-45).
B. Then came the Galilean ministry of probably one-and-a-half-years duration.
C. Next came the training of the 12.
D. Then was the later Judean ministry.
E. Finally, His closing ministry in Jerusalem. (The last four parts of His ministry
were not detailed in for time and space purposes. The first was detailed out for
purposes of example.)
IV. The most important part of Christ's work deals with His divine mission on earth:
A. This is the death of Christ.
B. The importance of it is proven by:
1. Its connection with the incarnation (see Heb 2:14).
2. The prominent place it is given in the Word (Lk 24:27, 44).
3. Its position in the gospel (I Cor 15:1, 3-4).
4. It will be the central theme of the song of the saints in heaven (Rev 5:8-12).
C. The death's necessity is revealed by these things:
1. God's holiness required it (Hab 1:13)
2. God's love required it (Jn 3:16)
3. Man's sin required it (Eph 2:13; I Pet 2:25)
4. Scriptures' prophesies required it (Lk 24:25-27)
5. God's purpose required it (Acts 2:3)
D. What then was the nature of that death?
1. It was no accident (Mt 16:21)
2. He was no martyr (Jn 10:17-18)
3. It was predetermined (Acts 2:23)
4. It was voluntary (Gal 2:20)
5. It was vicarious (on the behalf of others) (I Pet 3:18)
6. It was sacrificial, an offering for sin (I Cor 5:7)
7. It was expiatory (rendered us as satisfactory)(Gal 3:13)
8. It was propitiatory (I Jn 4:10)(both an offering and the altar where the sacrifice
was accepted)
9. It was redemptive (ransomed by a price)(Gal 4:4-5)
10. It was substitutionary (in the place and stead of others)(I Pet 2:24).
E. For whom did He die?
1. The whole world (I Jn 2:2)
2. Each individual (Heb 2:9)
3. The sinful, the unjust and the ungodly (Rm 5:5-8)
4. For the church (Eph 5:25-27)
In the next lesson, some of the results of the death of Christ will be considered. JM
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