Lesson 17 What Is Jesus Like?
[Image:] Jesus stretching out his arms and miraculously healing a sick man.
[Press play to hear the MP3 of the Lesson]
As we learn about the things Jesus said and did on earth, we discover qualities that draw us closer to him and to his Father, Jehovah. What are some of these appealing qualities? And how can we imitate Jesus in our own life?
1. In what ways is Jesus like his Father?
In heaven, Jesus has watched his loving Father and learned from him for billions of years. As a result, he thinks, feels, and acts just like him. (Read John 5:19) In fact, Jesus reflects his Father’s personality so perfectly that he said: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father also.” (John 14:9)
[Quotation] John 14:9: Jesus said to him: “Even after I have been with you men for such a long time, Philip, have you not come to know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father also. How is it you say, ‘Show us the Father’? [End Quotation]
As you learn about Jesus’ personality, you will come to know Jehovah better. For instance, Jesus’ compassion for people shows how Jehovah feels about you.
[Read scripture] John 5:19: Therefore, in response Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to you, the Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things that One does, these things the Son does also in like manner. [End of Read scripture]
2. How has Jesus shown that he loves Jehovah?
Jesus said: “For the world to know that I love the Father, I am doing just as the Father has commanded me to do.” (John 14:31) While on earth, Jesus showed his great love for his Father by obeying him even when it was difficult to do so. Jesus also loved to talk about his Father and to help others cultivate a friendship with Him.
[Quotation] John 14:23: In answer Jesus said to him: “If anyone loves me, he will observe my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. [End Quotation]
3. How has Jesus shown that he loves people?
The Bible says that Jesus is “especially fond of mankind.”
[Quotation] Proverbs 8:31: I rejoiced over his habitable earth, And I was especially fond of the sons of men. [End Quotation] [Footnote] Or “mankind.” [End of footnote]
He demonstrated this love by encouraging and selflessly helping people. He performed miracles that showed not only his power but also his compassion.
[Quotation] Mark 1:40 through 42: There also came to him a leper, pleading with him even on bended knee, saying to him: “If you just want to, you can make me clean.” At that he was moved with pity, and he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him: “I want to! Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy vanished from him, and he became clean. [End Quotation]
He treated people kindly and impartially. His words gave comfort and hope to all honest hearted ones who listened. Jesus was willing to suffer and die because of his love for all mankind. But he especially loves those who follow his teachings. Read John 15:13 and 14.
[Read scripture] John 15:13 and 14: No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his life in behalf of his friends. You are my friends if you do what I am commanding you. [End of Read scripture]
Dig Deeper
Learn more about Jesus’ personality. And consider how to express love and generosity as he did.
4. Jesus loves his Father
Jesus’ example teaches us how to express our love for God. Read Luke 6:12 and John 15:10 and 17:26.
After reading each scripture, discuss this question:
In imitation of Jesus, how can we show that we love Jehovah?
[Read scripture] Luke 6:12: On one of those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] John 15:10: If you observe my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have observed the commandments of the Father and remain in his love. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] John 17:26: I have made your name known to them and will make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them.” [End of Read scripture]
[Image:] Jesus praying. Caption: Jesus loved his heavenly Father and spoke to him often in prayer
5. Jesus feels for people in need
Jesus put the needs of other people ahead of his own. Even when he was tired, he used his time and energy to help people.
Read Mark 6:30 through 44, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Mark 6:30 through 44: The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all the things they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them: “Come, you yourselves, privately into an isolated place and rest up a little.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure time even to eat a meal. 32 So they set off in the boat for an isolated place to be by themselves. 33 But people saw them going and many got to know it, and from all the cities they ran together on foot and got there ahead of them. 34 Well, on getting out, he saw a large crowd, and he was moved with pity for them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd. And he started to teach them many things. 35 By now the hour had grown late, and his disciples came up to him and said: “This place is isolated, and the hour is already late. 36 Send them away, so that they may go off into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 He replied to them: “You give them something to eat.” At this they said to him: “Should we go off and buy 200 denarii worth of bread and give it to the people to eat?” 38 He said to them: “How many loaves do you have? Go see!” After finding out, they said: “Five, besides two fish.” 39 And he instructed all the people to recline in groups on the green grass. 40 So they reclined in groups of 100 and of 50. 41 Taking now the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves up and began giving them to the disciples to place them before the people, and he divided up the two fish for all. 42 So they all ate and were satisfied, 43 and they took up 12 baskets full of fragments, aside from the fish. 44 Those who ate the loaves were 5,000 men. [End of Read scripture]
In this account, what are some ways that Jesus showed concern for others? See verses 31, 34, 41, and 42.
What motivated Jesus to help people? See verse 34.
Because Jesus reflects Jehovah’s personality, what does all of this teach you about Jehovah?
What are some ways that we can imitate Jesus’ concern for others?
[Image:] Jesus miraculously feeding thousands by multiplying five loaves and two small fish. The disciples distribute the food to men, women, and children.
6. Jesus is generous
Jesus was generous even though he did not have many material things, and he encouraged us to be generous.
Read Acts 20:35, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Acts 20:35: I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way, you must assist those who are weak and must keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said: ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’” [End of Read scripture]
According to Jesus, how can we be happy?
Play the video “There Is More Happiness in Giving” Excerpt (4:00), and then discuss the question that follows.
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[There is More Happiness in Giving]
[A young girl sits sad faced looking out a window. Her younger sister is slumped at the kitchen table]
Big Sister: I love my family very much. Even though we don’t have a lot, we’re glad we have each other.
[She joins her frowning sister and brother at the table. They sit motionless and sullen]
Mom works really hard to provide for us. It’s just the four of us.
[Mom serves each child a bowl of white rice. They look up at her with dull eyes. Mom joins them for the meal]
We’ve all been feeling just a little sad lately.
[They pray, then sombrely and quietly eat their rice with chopsticks]
I can tell she’s really tired and worries a lot. I try to help out. Sometimes I help to get everyone ready for the meeting. We seem to manage all right.
[She adjusts her brothers dress shirt and tie]
But things are really hard.
[At the table mom with a distressed face looks down at her bills. Big sister brings a box of tissues. Mom wipes her eyes. She hugs Mom]
I think the elders could tell we were struggling. They came to visit us. They were so loving.
[Outside the home as the children bounce a ball, the elders greet them. Mom welcomes the two elders. The three of them sit at the table. They wave goodbye to big sister, and she leaves the room]
They really listened to Mom and even read her some scriptures. They helped her to see that Jehovah still cared about all of us. And that we still have the love of the congregation to strengthen us.
[The elders and Mom get up and shake hands]
I could tell Mom felt a lot better afterwards.
[Now, Mom with Bible in hand sits on the floor with her children]
At our next family worship, Mom read to us 2 Corinthians 8:1-4. That story is about the Macedonians. Mom had us close our eyes so we could imagine the scene. Even though the Macedonians were very poor, they found happiness by giving what they could to others. They even begged the apostles for the opportunity to give.
[They imagined two Macedonian women giving gifts to the apostle Paul. The children look at Mom curiously]
Then we read Acts 20:35, where it says: There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” My sister said, “But we don’t have anything to give.” Mom said: But we do. We have ourselves.” It got us all thinking.
[They ponder, eyes looking up]
Mom had a great idea.
[Mom gets up and strides out of the room. The children’s eyes follow. Mom retrieves a large wooden tray with coloured paper and crayons. The children light up]
We spent the rest of our family worship making special gifts for the friends in our congregation.
[As the children color and fold paper, Mom makes a blue paper boat and playfully sets it on her son’s head. With satisfied and cheerful smiles, they craft together. They admire a red handmade card with paper flowers. Now with congregation friends, little brother hands an older sister his origami. Big sister and little sister give their cards to older friends]
It was pretty amazing! Even though we don’t have a lot materially, there is still so much we can give, like putting a little in the contribution box each week and helping to clean.
[Brother sweeps with the broom]
And, of course, sharing in the ministry is the very best way we can give to others.
[Younger sister holds out a tract]
Now we are even closer as a family.
[Now at the kitchen table with smiles and laughter they enjoy a bowl of rice]
And we have learned that there truly “is more happiness in giving.”
[The three children and Mom joyfully look out the window]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2014 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
What are some ways that we can give, even if we do not have much materially?
[Box] Did You Know?
The Bible teaches us to pray to Jehovah in Jesus’ name. (Read John 16:23 and 24) When we pray in that way, we show that we recognize what Jesus has done to help us become Jehovah’s friends.
[Read scripture] John 16:23 and 24: In that day you will ask me no question at all. Most truly I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything, he will give it to you in my name. Until now you have not asked for a single thing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. [End of Read scripture] [End of box]
[Box]
Some People Say: “God doesn’t care about our suffering.” Since Jesus reflects his Father’s personality, how do his actions prove that Jehovah cares about us? [End of box]
Summary
Jesus loves Jehovah, and he loves people. Since Jesus is like his Father, the more you come to know Jesus, the more you will come to know Jehovah.
Review
How can we show love for Jehovah, as Jesus did?
How can we show love for people, as Jesus did?
What do you find most appealing about Jesus’ personality?
Goal
Choose one of Jesus’ qualities, and try to display it this week. Set Other Goals
Explore
Consider some of Jesus’ qualities that we can imitate. “To Imitate Jesus, Be . . .” (Jesus—The Way, the Truth, the Life, page 317)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Examine the important role that Jesus plays in prayers. “Why Pray in Jesus’ Name?” (The Watchtower, February 1, 2008)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Does the Bible say anything about Jesus’ appearance? “What Did Jesus Look Like?” (Web article)
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What can we learn from the way that Jesus treated women? “Respect and Dignity Under God’s Care” (The Watchtower, September 1, 2012)
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