The Real Jesus
This Week: The Real Jesus
Dual identities are a huge part of our entertainment and youth culture right now. This last weekend, Hannah Montana ruled the box office with her ongoing story of being both “regular girl” Miley Stewart and pop star Hannah.
That secret alter-ego territory is normally reserved for the comic book/superhero world of Bruce Wayne/Batman, Peter Parker/Spider-Man, etc. And rap stars have been beefing up their stage presence with assumed tough-guy identities for years. Our celebrity craze is driven partly by the “need” to find out who our on-screen heroes “really are.”
Having just wrapped up Easter week, Christians have been reminded that Jesus operated while here on Earth as a kind of dual identity, as well. We believe He was both fully God and fully man without the need for a costume change to become either one. We emphasized his humanity last week, that His life, death, and resurrection were all very physical.
This week, we’re looking for opportunities to talk about His non-secret identity as God, a being who has always existed, who is amazingly powerful, and who is absolutely unique in all of the universe. We want to talk about why it had to be Him on the cross and leaving the tomb—or else all of us would be lost.
If you get a chance to capitalize on last week’s Easter emphasis, look to work a few of these questions into a productive conversation about Jesus. You’ll find it helpful to read through Colossians 1:15-22.
Talking Points:
- How often do you think about Jesus? Do you ever wonder what His existence was like before He came to Earth or after He ascended into heaven?
- Have you ever wondered if someone else could have died on the cross? Did it have to be Him?
- Our culture seems to be fascinated with dual identities, like Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana, Bruce Wayne/Batman, and every rap star out there. Why do you think we’re so interested in that?
- Have you ever thought of Jesus as having a dual identity? Why do you think He kept the secret for so long while He was on earth of who He really is? What was the point of waiting?
- We believe that He was fully God and fully human at the same time. What does that idea mean to you?
- During Easter week, we heard a lot about His life as a man. Colossians 1 tells us some about His life as God, including the idea that He is the image of God. Why do you think it matters that we have a “picture” of God, who is invisible?
- Did you know that Jesus existed before anything else in all of creation—and that He created everything? Is there any way to even imagine that kind of power?
- We’re told Jesus still holds all things together, so He’s still all-powerful even after becoming human and dying and rising again. What do you think would happen if He stopped holding everything together?
- Jesus is also the head of the church—and over everything in the universe, for that matter. I know we don’t always obey God, but how often do you think about the idea that Jesus is Lord of everything, including us?
- The Bible says we were God’s enemies “in our minds” because of our “evil” actions. Do you ever think of people who are not in Christ as being God’s enemies? Would someone in a war with God have any hope at all of winning?
- We all still sin—just like God’s enemies do—but Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for us to be reconciled, to be made perfect in God’s eyes. What is it worth to be changed from God’s enemy to a member of God’s family?
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