Embracing Jesus: Ruler, Brother, and Forgiving Savior

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound identity of Jesus Christ, who is not only the ruler who knows us but also the brother who loves us and the victim who is ready to forgive us. Jesus, the one and only Son of God, is the Sovereign Lord who knows all things. There is nothing about our lives that is hidden from Him. This complete knowledge can be a source of comfort or fear, depending on our relationship with Him. For those who are for Him, like David, this knowledge is a marvel, a testament to His intimate care and love. David's awe at being known by God is echoed in the story of the woman at the well, who rejoices in Jesus knowing her completely, despite her past sins, because she discovers His love for her.

Jesus is not only the ruler who knows us but also the brother who loves us. His love is transformative, prompting a response of love from us. This love is rooted in the incarnation, where God became man in Jesus Christ, standing alongside us in our humanity. Furthermore, Jesus is the victim who is ready to forgive us. On the cross, He became the sacrifice for our sins, bearing them so that we might be reconciled to God. His resurrection and exaltation affirm His readiness to forgive and welcome us as brothers and sisters, seating us at His table to nourish us to everlasting life.

The identity of Jesus calls us to respond: to submit to Him as our ruler, love Him as our brother, and trust Him as our Savior. Through Jesus, we are known, loved, and forgiven. This is the invitation extended to us, to embrace the fullness of who Jesus is and the life He offers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus as the Ruler: Jesus knows us completely, and this knowledge can be comforting or daunting based on our relationship with Him. For those who are for Him, like David, this knowledge is a source of wonder and assurance of His intimate care. [00:48]

2. Jesus as the Brother: The love of Jesus is transformative, prompting a response of love from us. His incarnation as God becoming man demonstrates His solidarity with us, standing alongside us in our humanity. [02:25]

3. Jesus as the Victim: On the cross, Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins, bearing them so that we might be reconciled to God. His resurrection affirms His readiness to forgive and welcome us into His family. [03:07]

4. The Joy of Being Known: The woman at the well rejoices in Jesus knowing her completely, despite her past sins, because she discovers His love for her. This joy is available to all who recognize Jesus' love and forgiveness. [01:51]

5. Our Response to Jesus: The identity of Jesus calls us to submit to Him as our ruler, love Him as our brother, and trust Him as our Savior. Through Jesus, we are known, loved, and forgiven, and this is the life He offers us. [04:17]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Jesus: The Ruler Who Knows You
[00:31] - God's Complete Knowledge
[00:48] - Comfort in Being Known
[01:10] - David's Marvel at God's Knowledge
[01:28] - Invitation to God's Banqueting House
[01:51] - The Woman at the Well's Joy
[02:04] - Jesus: The Brother Who Loves You
[02:25] - Love's Transformative Power
[02:46] - God Becomes Man
[03:07] - Jesus: The Victim Ready to Forgive
[03:28] - Reconciliation and Forgiveness
[03:48] - Identity of Jesus and Our Response
[04:17] - Submission, Love, and Trust
[04:48] - Prayer and Thanksgiving

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:1-6 - This passage reflects on God's complete knowledge of us, similar to how Jesus knows us completely.
2. John 4:1-26 - The story of the woman at the well, illustrating Jesus' intimate knowledge and love.
3. Philippians 2:5-8 - Describes Jesus' incarnation and His humility, becoming human to stand alongside us.

#### Observation Questions
1. How does Psalm 139:1-6 describe God's knowledge of us, and how does this relate to Jesus as the ruler who knows us? [00:31]
2. In John 4, what is the woman's reaction to Jesus knowing everything about her, and why is this significant? [01:51]
3. According to Philippians 2:5-8, what does it mean for Jesus to become our brother by taking on human form? [02:46]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does David's understanding of being known by God in Psalm 139 influence his relationship with God? [01:10]
2. What does the woman's joy in John 4 reveal about the nature of Jesus' love and forgiveness? [01:51]
3. How does Jesus' incarnation, as described in Philippians 2, demonstrate His solidarity with humanity? [02:46]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt completely known by God. How did that knowledge affect your relationship with Him? [00:48]
2. The woman at the well found joy in being known by Jesus despite her past. How can you find joy in Jesus' knowledge of your life, even in areas you struggle with? [01:51]
3. Jesus' love is transformative. In what ways can you allow His love to transform your relationships with others this week? [02:25]
4. Jesus became human to stand alongside us. How can you stand alongside someone in your life who needs support or understanding? [02:46]
5. Jesus is ready to forgive and reconcile us to God. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek reconciliation with? How can you take a step towards that this week? [03:28]
6. How can you submit to Jesus as your ruler in a specific area of your life where you struggle with control? [04:17]
7. Consider how you can trust Jesus as your Savior in a current challenge you are facing. What practical steps can you take to rely on Him more fully? [04:17]

Devotional

Day 1: The Comfort of Being Fully Known
Jesus knows us completely, and this knowledge can be comforting or daunting based on our relationship with Him. For those who are for Him, like David, this knowledge is a source of wonder and assurance of His intimate care. Jesus, as the Sovereign Lord, sees every aspect of our lives, and nothing is hidden from Him. This complete knowledge can be a source of comfort, as it assures us that we are never alone and that our lives are under His watchful care. For those who trust in Him, this knowledge is a marvel, a testament to His intimate care and love. David's awe at being known by God is echoed in the story of the woman at the well, who rejoices in Jesus knowing her completely, despite her past sins, because she discovers His love for her. [00:48]

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar." (Psalm 139:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus sees every part of your life bring you comfort today? Is there an area where you need to invite His presence more fully?


Day 2: Transformative Love of Jesus
The love of Jesus is transformative, prompting a response of love from us. His incarnation as God becoming man demonstrates His solidarity with us, standing alongside us in our humanity. Jesus, as our brother, shares in our human experience, offering a love that is both profound and personal. This love is not passive but active, calling us to respond with love in return. The incarnation is a powerful reminder that God is not distant but has come near to us in Jesus Christ. His love transforms us, inviting us to live in a way that reflects His love to others. [02:25]

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil." (Hebrews 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively reflect the transformative love of Jesus to those around you today?


Day 3: Jesus' Sacrifice and Forgiveness
On the cross, Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins, bearing them so that we might be reconciled to God. His resurrection affirms His readiness to forgive and welcome us into His family. Jesus, as the victim, willingly took on the burden of our sins, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. This act of love and forgiveness is central to our faith, as it opens the way for us to be reconciled to God. His resurrection is a powerful affirmation of His victory over sin and death, and His readiness to forgive us and welcome us into His family. This forgiveness is available to all who come to Him in faith. [03:07]

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a sin or burden you need to bring to Jesus today, trusting in His forgiveness and grace?


Day 4: The Joy of Being Known and Loved
The woman at the well rejoices in Jesus knowing her completely, despite her past sins, because she discovers His love for her. This joy is available to all who recognize Jesus' love and forgiveness. The story of the woman at the well is a powerful reminder of the joy that comes from being fully known and fully loved by Jesus. Despite her past, she finds acceptance and love in Jesus, who offers her living water and a new beginning. This joy is not limited to her but is available to all who come to Jesus, recognizing His love and forgiveness. It is a joy that transforms lives and brings hope. [01:51]

"Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" (John 4:29, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace the joy of being fully known and loved by Jesus today, despite your past?


Day 5: Our Response to Jesus' Identity
The identity of Jesus calls us to submit to Him as our ruler, love Him as our brother, and trust Him as our Savior. Through Jesus, we are known, loved, and forgiven, and this is the life He offers us. Jesus' identity as ruler, brother, and victim invites us to respond in faith and obedience. As our ruler, He calls us to submit to His authority and guidance. As our brother, He invites us to love Him and others with the same love He has shown us. As our Savior, He asks us to trust in His sacrifice and forgiveness. This is the life He offers us, a life of being known, loved, and forgiven. [04:17]

"And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." (Colossians 1:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes

"Jesus is the ruler who knows you he's the brother who loves you and he is the victim who is ready to forgive you just think about that with me in this last moment he is the ruler who knows you that's who Jesus Christ is he's the one and only Son of God he's the Sovereign Lord he knows all things nothing is hidden from him." [00:00:05]

"David knew that God was for him and David was for God and he said you you know me completely and and such knowledge is just too wonderful for me it's the most marvelous thing that you know everything about me how else would I ever get invited to your banqueting house if you didn't know me by name." [00:01:00]

"The woman at the well goes running into the town of psy car and she says come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did and she's completely joyful about it despite the fact that many of the things that she had done she should never have done and Jesus told her about them so why is she so joyful about this Jesus knowing everything about it because she's also discovered that the sin Jesus loves her." [00:01:37]

"He is the brother who loves you in way you get a taste of his love for you it will not be long before you find in your own heart some response some reflection of that great love we love him because he first has loved us this great ruler who in very nature is God himself he becomes our brother the ruler who knows who becomes the brother who loves you." [00:02:11]

"How because God becomes man in Jesus Christ he takes his stand alongside of you and what else does he he is the victim who is ready to forgive you this ruler this brother what happened to him he became the victim so what's happening on the cross he became the sacrifice he was the one on whom our sins were laid." [00:02:43]

"Which is why every sin is a sin against Christ because sin was laid on to Christ he became the sacrifice but he didn't end that he rose he was exalted to the right hand of the Father and he stands ready to forgive us and to reconcile with all who will come to him and he calls us brothers and sisters and he seats us at his table where he will feed us and nourish us even to everlasting life." [00:03:15]

"So here's the message that comes from the identity of Joseph that points to the identity of Jesus you are known you are loved and you can be forgiven through Jesus Christ who is the one and only Son of God when you see who he is why would you know it submit to him as your ruler and love him as your brother and trust him as your Savior." [00:03:48]

"Who gave himself as a sacrifice for your sins let's pray together your blood has washed away my sin Jesus thank you the father's wrath completely satisfied Jesus thank you once your enemy now seated at your table Jesus thank you hear the cry of our hearts." [00:04:30]

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Transcript
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