Sunday, March 26, 2017 we looked at this Big Picture Question:

Big Picture Question:  What are the world’s 3 Questions about Jesus that we must answer?

And we looked at these scriptures:

John 18: 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

And we found these 3 answers to our Big Picture Question:

Big Picture Question:  What are the world’s 3 Questions about Jesus that we must answer?

• Who do people say Jesus is?
• What did Jesus really do?
• Who did Jesus say He was?

Who do people say Jesus is?

John 18: 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me.

Pilate begins by asking Jesus who He is because of what others have told him.  This is the approach that everyone has when they think about Jesus.  At first, people gather in opinions from Sunday School, a college class, the Discovery channel…wherever.  But to begin any conversation about Jesus, just ask, “Who do you say Jesus is?”  That was what Pilate was trying to discover.

What did Jesus really do?

What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Jesus answers that He is king when Pilate wants to know what He has done.  What a weird way to respond.  Why would Jesus respond with who He is when Pilate wants to know what He did?  The answer is that identity informs action.  Who you are determines who what you do.  That is a wonderful way to discuss Jesus.  When you ask people what Jesus has done, or when they discuss what He has done, it is an opportunity to talk about His identity.  For example, if people believe that Jesus was kind and forgave people, it is an opportunity to talk about how Jesus is a merciful forgiver.

Who does Jesus say He is?

37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Pilate responds to what Jesus said.  He recognizes that Jesus claims, and is, a king.  People quote Jesus all the time, but often incorrectly.  Responding to what people think Jesus has said gives an opportunity to speak of His actual words.  If they quote Jesus incorrectly, don’t criticize.  Instead, create.  Create opportunities to talk about what Jesus said so His words can impact you.  

Big Picture Question:  What are the world’s 3 Questions about Jesus that we must answer?

Truth:  Christians must be able to explain who Jesus is based upon what He said and did.

Application:  Live knowing that you can worship Jesus and tell other people about Jesus because of what Jesus claimed and what He did.  That is your inspiration and power.

Action:  Begin a conversation this week by asking, “Who do you think Jesus is?”