The divine characteristics of Jesus

The divine characteristics of Jesus

John 19:30 ‘when Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.’

                Over here we can see Jesus is sending a message to his father telling that it is finished.  What are the secrets hidden in his message? May be Jesus might have wanted to confirm that his purpose has been fulfilled. It is finished might even refer that Jesus had put an end to Satan’s powers and prevailed it. When Jesus was in this world, he did exactly what his father had told him.  During this period, he learnt a lot of things from his father and today we are going to meditate upon the divine characteristics of Jesus.  In Hebrews 5:8 ‘Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;’ Here we see that Jesus learnt obedience in the midst of sufferings. Not only Obedience but also many things as God perfected every characteristics of his.  Truly speaking, revelations occur during the tough suffering times. Even in our lives, we need to learn a lot of things during the times of suffering. Let us analyze three important lessons that Jesus learnt during his trouble times.

Praying

Matthew 26:40-41 “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

            Here we see Jesus expects his disciples should join along with him in prayer. He desires to teach his disciples on how to watch and pray. Prayer plays a pivotal role in the life of Jesus. During the times of suffering, he extended his prayer time. He was doing ministry in the day and prayer in the night. As a human being, he needed sleep but he was all occupied with his ministry. But he sleeps during the travelling time. Luke 22:44 ‘And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.’  The scripture says Jesus prays more earnestly during his times of suffering. Jesus regular prayer life reached its peak at this exhaustive point.  Here Jesus teaches us that a way when we have the sufferings we can easily overcome. In Matthew 26:41 ‘Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.’ When we watch and pray we can escape the temptations of the enemy. We should understand that according to the bible, God tests his children. But Satan is one who deceives and tempts us to do sinful things. When we watch pray just as Jesus did, we will prevail all kinds of temptations. Let us all make a resolution to watch and pray to battle our temptations.

            When we read Matthew 26:40-41, we wonder as to why Jesus questioned Peter alone? Why did he ask him to watch on him for even an hour? This takes us back to the conversation Peter and Jesus had in the past. We read this in Matthew 26:35 ‘Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.’  Here we say Peter was over confident that he will not betray Jesus at any given time. This could also the reason why Jesus questioned Peter to watch him for an hour. This question brings in a great change in his life and that becomes a practice. We read in  Acts 3:1 ‘Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. ’ Peter began praying like Jesus and he transformed like Jesus.

Loving

Matthew 26:47,49 “And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.”

            Over here Jesus learnt a nature that we cannot do in our lives. It is the nature of love. Generally we love them who love us. But here Jesus reveals his love to Judas who came there to betray him. Judas did not give the kiss of love but the kiss of betrayal. The way Jesus calls the traitor as friend.  Jesus knew about the betrayal but he did not take revenge. Matthew 26:46 ‘Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. ’ Jesus knew that Judas would betray him but he did not treat him with contempt but he loved him. In Matthew 26:50 ‘And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.’ Would we keep socializing with a potential betrayer? Would we call them a friend? Would we look at their faces and still be normal? That is the nature that Jesus wants to teach all of us. This attribute is something we all should learn from Christ.  We see the love of Jesus touched the heart of Judas. We read in Matthew 27:4 ‘Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.’

            In Matthew 5:44 ‘But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;’  Here Jesus teaches the nature of love to the multitude of people. Love is essence of the entire life of Jesus. Let us all start practicing the nature of love our enemies.

Silence

Luke 22:60-61 ‘And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.’

            Here we see Peter is denies Jesus. We see Peter himself did not realize he betrayed Jesus. The very look of Jesus, Peter recalls the conversation that he had with Jesus on betraying. A breach of trust is happening there but Jesus remained silent. His characteristic of remaining silent even when the situation warrants to speak out of anger is astounding. This nature of silence brings in a change later on. Silence is one of important nature that we all should cultivate in our lives. If e were in the situation of Jesus, we would have lamented and cried. We might have even questioned Peter. In Psalm 39:1-2 ‘I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.’ When we hold our peace, God will speak for us. We all should refrain talking with a muzzle in our mouth.  In Ecclesiastes 5:2 ‘Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.’ It is always a good choice to refrain from arguing or speaking in anger. We see the very glance of Jesus spoke a million words to Peter. In Luke 22:62 ‘And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.’ The powerful glance of Jesus changed the entire life of Peter. We read in  In Acts 2:14  ‘But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice:’ Peter lifts up his voice for Jesus. He proclaims the word of God.

            Therefore, let us all instill all the three characteristics of Jesus and shine spiritually. Amen.