The Encounter With Jesus – Character Study 2
(30-60 Minutes)
A fresh way to look at the gospels
By Cindy Hyle Bezek
For many of us, becoming intimate with Jesus is our highest ambition. Why is it, then, that this same worthy goal can sometimes be our biggest frustration? It just seems too hard to become personal with Someone whose face we have not seen, whose voice we have not heard, and whose hand we have not touched.
The Encounter with Jesus Bible Study can help us get to know Jesus more intimately. A good translation of one of the gospels (ideally a red-letter edition) is the only tool required. However, a Bible atlas and a copy of the synoptic gospels (a book in which the texts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are presented side by side to show the “whole picture” of Christ’s life) may add meaning to your time in the Word.
Getting Started
Choose a passage for study.
Select a passage from one of the gospels. Mark is a good place to start, since it jumps right into Jesus’ ministry. Depending on the amount of time you can spend, select either an entire chapter or a single event to study. If you have time, and if the event you choose is recorded in the other gospels, use the synoptic gospels or your Bible’s cross references to read all versions of the incident.
Read the passage through once to establish the background and setting. As you read, jot down some basic information: Where is Jesus? (Record the town, if mentioned, as well as the more specific location such as the synagogue, a mountain top, someone’s home, etc.) Next, back up a few verses to determine where Jesus had been just prior to this event. (Using a Bible atlas to locate the various towns in which Jesus ministered helps us to better understand the astonishing distances Jesus traveled and to gain appreciation for the breadth of His ministry.) Now examine His physical circumstances—is He likely to be tired, hungry, sweaty? Finally, consider the types of people Jesus is dealing with. Is He with a crowd, or an intimate circle of friends? Are the people Gentiles or Jews? If they are Jews, are they followers of Jesus or not? To what sect do they belong?
After you’ve determined the background, look into what everyone in the passage said, felt, and did.
His Words
In your study notebook, either summarize or quote everything Jesus says. Also notice what Jesus does not say; sometimes this reveals even more about Him than His words do. For example, in all three of the gospel accounts of Jesus casting demons out of a man (or men, as recorded in Matthew) and into a herd of pigs, the people plead with Him to leave them (Matthew 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–17; Luke 8:26–37). Nowhere is it recorded that Jesus answers them—instead, He simply gets into His boat and departs.
His Feelings, Tone, and Attitude
Feelings, tone, and attitude are the indicators that help us to relate to Jesus on a human level. For example, notice the situations where Jesus is amazed, angry, distressed, or compassionate. See how He gives strict orders to some people (Mark 3:12; Mark 5:43), how He strongly warns others (Mark 1:43), and how He ignores still others (Mark 5:36). Observe the ways He responds to people: Does He grant their requests? Does He answer their questions? Does He act or react to people?
Their Words
Next, record what others say to Jesus, or about Him. Don’t limit your observations to human dialogue, however. God, Satan, and the demons also talk to or about Jesus, and what they have to say is also important in our understanding of Him.
Their Impressions of Jesus
Consider how people seem to feel about Jesus. Does He surprise them? Entertain them? Anger them? Who do they think He is? Where do they think He gets His power? Often these impressions are stated explicitly, but sometimes you may have to read between the lines.
Their Response to Jesus
Once you’ve considered their words and impressions, the next step is to look at how people respond. After their encounter with Jesus, what does Scripture say people do? Do they follow Him? Laugh at Him? Ask Him to leave? Plot to kill Him? Everyone who meets Jesus responds to Him in some way. Evaluate whether the people you are observing respond correctly. If they do not, why don’t they? What would be a better response?
Your Impression of Jesus
The last two questions guiding this study focus on application. As you address all the other issues outlined above, you find that an impression of Jesus emerges, often different from what you would have expected. Sometimes you may feel bewildered by Jesus. Other times you may be magnetically drawn to Him. You may even find yourself somewhat frustrated by some of His actions. How is your new impression of Jesus different from what you used to think about Him? Pause a few moments to share your feelings about Jesus with Him.
Your Response to Jesus
No one meets Jesus and remains the same. By this point in your study, a personal application may already be obvious. If not, review your notes, praying for insight as you do so. What characteristic of Jesus’ life would you like to see more prominently in your own? Did the people’s responses to Jesus convict or inspire you? How, specifically, can you worship, witness, or minister more effectively as a result of your encounter with Jesus? Ask yourself, “What is Jesus saying in this passage that should change my life, and how can I work with Him to make it happen?”
For example, after reading in Mark account after account of Jesus putting aside His own plans to listen to and care for the people who constantly interrupted Him, I realized how my own intolerance for intrusions on my agenda prevented God from being able to use me to minister to people’s genuine needs. I repented of my selfish attitude and am now allowing the Lord to change me and make me more open to the interruptions some people have wisely called “divine appointments.”
Once you’ve committed to applying what the Holy Spirit has taught you in the passage, end your study time by praising Jesus for what you’ve learned from Him and for what you appreciate about Him. As you practice this Bible study method over time, you will find yourself getting to know Jesus better and better.
