This Jesus

   The name Jesus, the person, the history, the impact Jesus has had on our global culture is immense. There are so many interpretations of who he is, what he did and what he stood for sometimes it's difficult really get a handle on what Jesus is all about.

   The first introduction to Jesus we all have is through the Bible, but there are so many other texts and books and poems and movies it is very difficult to draw a clear picture of who "this Jesus" is.

   Evangelical Christians have him defined, the Mormons have him defined, the Jehovah's Witnesses and the multitude of "New Age" groups (everything from the ancient Gnostic texts to channeled works such as A Course In Miracles) have him all figured out. But they are all at odds with what they perceive as who "this Jesus" is.

   When it comes down to it there was a small group of people who actually rubbed elbows with Jesus while he was here on earth. Jesus had his group of disciples. At one point he sent out a group of seventy. Then there were his closest twelve. Of these He had a core group of three, John, Peter and James. Thankfully several put those experiences down in writing that we can share His story today.

   In this article I will focus on two of those close friends; the disciples John and Peter.

   Let us look at what they say and hopefully the Jesus they talk about, from their own personal experience you will see that this Jesus they knew is the Jesus who wants to touch your life today.

   Lets first look at  John. Now here's a guy who was one of the first that Jesus called to "follow Me". and without hesitation John put down his work and followed. We see John taking part in the discipleship training Jesus put forward, we see John at the Mount of transfiguration, we see John seated next to Jesus at the last supper, we see John at the foot of the cross. We have his testimony in his gospel and three epistles. The whole of the Bible culminates with Johns magnificent prophesy we call the Book of Revelation.

  So what does this man who knew and lived with and traveled with Jesus have to say about who Jesus is? This is not some interpretation after the fact these are the words of the person who in the Bible is called "the disciple who Jesus loved"

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

  John also makes these defining statements about Jesus.

John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

   Peter was also was among the first that Jesus called to follow Him. Here in his second letter he lets us know that he too was an eyewitness to all the stories we, even to this day, hear about Jesus.

2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

   And again Peter testifies on the day of Pentecost:

Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood,Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’(Joel 2:28-32) 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him:‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’(Psalms 16:8-11) 29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at My right hand,35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’(Psalms 110:1) 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

   So here we have two people who knew Jesus personally, traveled with him, camped with Him, ate with Him, watched him die, saw him resurrected and ascend to heaven. If the case for who is the true Jesus was brought to court would you not have to go in favor of the eyewitnesses?