ExeJesus

In seminary, we as pastors are trained to do biblical exegesis. Exegesis is the critical study of the biblical text so that we can understand the context (historical & cultural) of the passage in order to gain its relevance. Not in our 21^st century context, but in the context of when it was written.

Too often we try to make the Bible about us and how we can relate it to our lives. However, I believe God calls each of us to know him through his Word (the Bible) before we can understand how to relate it to our own lives. We must see the context from God’s perspective first and foremost!

When we read and study the gospels, we try to make it about how we can be more like Jesus. Instead, I think it is important that we first understand who Jesus was and why he came, died, and was resurrected. We should understand the context of who Christ was before we can commit to be more like him.

We need to do some exeJesus!

Paul called upon us not to miraculous signs, nor to worldly wisdom; instead we are to preach Christ crucified. Christ is the power of God:

1 Corinthians 1:21-25:

²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²²Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,²³but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Let us make a commitment to learn more of who Christ was by studying him in the historical and cultural context of first century Jerusalem and learn of how he fulfilled prophecies and performed miracles in his own authority. If we learn to look at Christ as the power of God from the eyes of first century Jews & Gentiles, imagine how much greater that power will be for us as we walk in the world today.

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