Getting to Know Jesus
(Neh.8:2-6, 8-10; 1Cor.12:12-30; Lk.1:1-4; 4:14-21)
In recent weeks, our Gospel readings have been painting a picture of Jesus, giving shape to his humanity and divinity.
Two weeks ago, at his baptism in the Jordan, a heavenly voice was heard to say ‘you are my beloved Son. I am well pleased with you.’
Last Sunday, as he turned the water into wine in Cana, we learnt more about Jesus: how much he respects his mother, how incredibly generous he is by producing so much wine, and how much he cares about ordinary people, even those living in obscure villages.
And in today’s Gospel, we not only hear that Jesus is a respected teacher and preacher, but we also learn the scope of his earthly mission.
Jesus tells us himself when he reads from the Book of Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth. Using Isaiah’s words about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus says that he has been sent by his Father to bring good news to the poor, to give sight to the blind, to heal the broken-hearted, and to set captives free (Is.61:1).
This is genuinely good news, because Jesus is offering hope, healing and liberation to everyone. And not just to other people, but also to ourselves, because we’re all to some extent poor, enslaved, blind or held captive. We all need hope, healing and liberation.
Given how much Jesus is seeking to do for us, it’s worth asking: how well do we know Jesus? And are we as close to him as we should be?
In his book, The Joy of Knowing Christ, Pope Benedict XVI writes that there are two ways of ‘seeing’ and ‘knowing’ Jesus. The first is that of the crowd, which is superficial. And the second is that of the disciples, which is more penetrating and genuine.
The crowd, Benedict says, tends to see Jesus as a prophet. This isn’t wrong, but it is inadequate. Today, many people, including scholars, only approach Jesus from the outside. They might recognise his spiritual and moral stature and his influence on human history, and they might compare Jesus to Buddha, Confucius, Socrates and other wise and important historical figures.
But they don’t recognise Jesus as being unique. They don’t recognise him as the Son of God. As Jesus says to Philip at the Last Supper, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me?’ (Jn.14:9). [i]
So, how might we get to know Jesus better?
There are several ways to do this: including by spending quiet time with Jesus in prayer, by regularly receiving him in the Holy Eucharist, by following his teachings (Mt.22:37-39; Jn.14:21), by learning from the saints and from other faithful followers, by being alert to the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life, and by studying the Bible.
Indeed, each of the four Gospels paints a slightly different picture of Jesus. Mark depicts Jesus as a lean and busy figure with a deep compassion for those who suffer. But Jesus himself also suffers greatly, and he is often alone.
Matthew sees Jesus as a relaxed but masterful teacher; the new Moses who delivers his Sermon on the Mount and who leads his people to salvation.
For Luke, Jesus is the prayerful and kindly saviour, the prophet and healer who is empowered by the Holy Spirit. He is a wonderful storyteller who cares about women and children, and he is a loyal friend to both the rich and the poor.
And John focuses on Jesus’ divinity and his mission to reveal God to us all. He portrays Jesus as the bread of life who nourishes us; the light of the world who leads us out of darkness, and the lamb of God who sacrifices himself for us.
Why are we given four slightly different pictures of Jesus? It’s because he is not only human – he’s also divine, and one single depiction of him would not do him justice. But it’s also because we all have our own individual needs, and these multifaceted portraits allow us to choose the Jesus we are most drawn to.
So, if you need someone gentle to accompany you in your suffering, go to Mark.
If you need sensible and down-to-earth advice, then go to Matthew.
If you need someone to remind you of our all-powerful God, then turn to John.
And if you need a genuine friend, Luke’s Jesus will always be there for you. [ii]
And what does Jesus want in return? The only thing he wants is our love.
So, how well do you know Jesus?
Are you as close to him as you should be?
[i] Pope Benedict XVI, The Joy of Knowing Jesus, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, MD, 2009, p.68.
[ii] Michael T Hayes, Homilies for the Whole Community, Year C, Twenty-Third Publications, New London, CT, 2006, p.130-132.