Jesus Is... (Entry #6)

For those who may have not read previous posts, I am going through traits or characteristics of Jesus that I found while reading through the book of John recently.  I will recap each week so you can see the complete list, but would also encourage you to read past entries as well if any or all of these interest you.  I figured that if the Bible calls us to be life Christ, then we should understand what He was truly like when he was on Earth.Trait #1: Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-2)Trait #2: Jesus is All Accepting (John 1:12)Trait #3: Jesus Loves the Church (John 2:17)Trait #4: Jesus is a Teacher (John 3:1-21)Trait #5: Jesus is a Man of Action (John 4:7)Trait #6: Jesus is The Truth (John 5:24)Trait #7: Jesus is Caring (John 6:5)Trait #8: Jesus is A Problem Solver (John 6:11)Trait #9: Jesus is All Knowing (John 7:1)Trait #10: Jesus is An Early Riser (John 8:2)Adding two more this week...Trait #11: JESUS IS AWARE (and cares)John 9:1 - "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth."John 9:35 - "Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?"This is a trait that people don't think about a whole lot, or that they accuse Jesus/God of not having.  The spiritual word is Omniscient (all knowing), but sometimes we forget that He really is ALL KNOWING.  But even Jesus on earth would notice people that others may have walked right past.  Like the man who was blind from birth (v.1).  Not only did He notice him, Jesus stopped and healed him.  And after that He kept up with him (v.33).  How many times do you solve a problem and leave or pass it off to someone else.  Or...sorry this one may hurt...how many times have you brought someone to church then just not followed up or invited them again.  We have a tendency to be aware but not stick with it.  I know I am guilty of this at least.  Jesus was not this way.  He was (and IS) aware of what is happening.  He never walked by a situation and let someone else deal with it, Id argue to say it was impossible for Him to do.  That feeling in your heart when you pass someone that needs help of you feel like you need to talk to...that's the Jesus inside of you!  Let it OUT!Trait #12: JESUS IS A LEADERJohn 10:3 - "The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out."John 10:28 - "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.I have a lot of "favorite traits" of Jesus while going through this but learning about His leadership, not just of the disciples but of all his followers.  This stuck out ot me while reading these verses.  A couple of different ways He was a leader.  The first way (v.3) was that Jesus is personable.  He knows your name and will call you by it.  Its not a "hey you" or "whatever your name is" but knows your name.  And the power that He brings makes those that follow Him know his voice when He calls.  Just because someone calls your name, doesn't mean you listen to them or follow them, but Jesus is different.  He is someone who's presence commands to be followed.  Not a forceful command, but if you truly know Jesus, you WANT to follow Him.The second way is His strength and protective leadership.  In verse 28 of chapter 10, the line that really stuck out to me was "no one will snatch them out of my hand"  Jesus was protective and strong enough to not let anyone steal one of His followers.  That type of leadership provides confidence to those following.  No one likes to follow someone that's going to lie down and surrender when someone comes against them.  Jesus is the leader you want in front of you!  Not only does he provide eternal life but He protects throughout it as well!  If we are comparing here...no one else does that...so stop looking.

Related Post: View the entire "Jesus Is" series.

As I've said before, Jesus has too many traits to write about, but I encourage you to dig into His life on earth and find some for yourself as well.  Really makes you look at the person of Jesus and His life differently when you are searching for characteristics.  Jesus does NOT disappoint!