Five strangers with nothing in common are forced to come together at a remote roadside eatery because of a road closure. As Jesus himself said in John 13:15 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”. As you read this, you will identify with one or more of this company of people as all of us belong to one or more of them. Take for example the story in Mark 7:31-35 of the man described as deaf and mute. This is true for anyone, regardless of their additional needs or disabilities, who believe in him. Here you will be encouraged to both trust and love him as you put yourself in these encounters. Related Topics: Messages, Women's Articles, Susie Hawkins is a Bible study teacher and ministry wife in Dallas, Texas. The gospels record some fascinating stories of Jesus' interaction with people. Amid many texts in the gospels that provide more lengthy interactions of women with Jesus, there are four brief stories, often overlooked, that express Jesus’ concern for women. The study today is taken from Mark 5:21-43 and focuses on a couple of very needy people. Like most of us, the answers handed down to them didn’t seem to work in the real world. It involves connecting your faith with people’s experience in a way that they can understand it, in their own time and manner. Originally published as an eSeries, Encounters with Jesus focuses on several of these meetings — including with a skeptical student, a religious insider, an outcast, even Jesus’ mother — and shows how the central events in Jesus’ life provide ways for us to encounter him again or for the first time. ncounters with Jesus restores Jesus’ compelling encounters with people back into their Middle Eastern context. Jesus' interactions with women are an important element in the theological debate about Christianity and women.Women are prominent in the story of Christ Jesus.He was born of a woman, had numerous interactions with women, and was seen first by women after his resurrection.He commissioned the women to go and tell his disciples that he is risen, which is the essential message of Christianity. Jesus seemed to relish His conversations with all of these, from a despised tax collector (Zaccheus) to a respected Pharsee (Nicodemus) to the thief on the cross. Likewise, we are to be people with a message that we can clearly and boldly proclaim. *Barrier-Free Friendships by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Jensen, “Imitating Christ in Friendship”, Zondervan Publishing House, 1997. p. 41. He was brought to Jesus by others, but Jesus took him to one side away from the crowd and then spent time with him, healing him. I believe that one of the most amazing things about Jesus’ ministry is the way in which he dealt with people here on Earth. The Gospels are full of encounters that made a profound impact on those who spoke with Jesus in this way. Publication date: November 2013. Jesus responds to people who believe they are religious and deserve heaven by saying that their outward religiosity is detestable to God and the only thing God desires is that they would exercise their faith by obeying the command of God- to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. The Search OF the Savior: Why Jesus Came, Part 1 (Luke 19:1-10), Bible Storying Series - Teaching The Story Of God Chronologically. Jesus listened, and then responded. Jesus provides healing or life, particularly for those in an unclean status, expressed through the language of the taboo. This series emphasizes the love and compassion of Christ for humanity and His creation. It is helpful to see what Jesus modelled for us when it comes to relationships with people who have disabilities, what he did that we could follow. Encounters with Jesus Each one of us needs an encounter with Jesus! Michael Lee Farley is an author, entrepreneur, musician and keynote speaker. Each encounter reveals something about the nature of Christ, enabling the reader to more deeply understand His mission as well as His revelation of God. Jesus’ first action was to forgive the man for his sins, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” Only after the Pharisees and teachers of the law challenged him about his actions did Jesus then heal the man, to demonstrate his authority. Identity Politics vs. Transactional Politics. Jesus’ encounters with religious leaders. (See also my blog post, ‘Faith More Important Than Healing’). * In many cases, given the culture at the time, this was extraordinary. Church and ministry leadership resources to better equip, train and provide ideas for today's church and ministry leaders, like you. Just because someone came to Jesus, or was brought to him, who had special needs or disabilities, he didn’t automatically assume that what they wanted was healing. Reveals the gross parts of us. Now it feels like a bummer to start a series called Encounters with Jesus by talking abot a group of people who encountered Jesus and left unchanged. He built strong relationships with people, yet, He boldly spoke truth. He often would spend time asking them what they wanted from him. With Bruce Marchiano, Steve Borden, Jaci Velasquez, Jamie Nieto. Directed by David A.R. In the story we’ve just looked at regarding the Roman Centurion and his servant, Jesus comments about the faith of the Centurion, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (Matthew 8:10). So, Jesus thought first about the eternal salvation of people before their physical or mental healing. It includes modern day encounters with Jesus via dreams, visions, visitations, near-death experiences, and other spiritually transformative experiences, as well as historical encounters. The Search OF the Savior: Why Jesus Came, Part 2 (Gal. “And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem,” (Acts 9:28). Focusing on the encounters Jesus had with people during his ministry, he demonstrates how those who seek Christ now differ little from those whose stories we learn about in the Gospels: Peter, Nicodemus, Mary, the Samaritan leper, even Judas. They place their orders with the diner's omniscient owner, who seems to know everything about them... and claims he is Jesus. Get updates from Not Alone: Special-Needs Parenting delivered straight to your inbox. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! The first step in the New Evangelization must be the personal encounter of individual Catholics with the Lord Jesus, in the power of his Presence. Jesus Encounters: Jesus, Jairus and a desperate woman. This work will tell of individuals in the gospels who had a personal, real life Jesus encounter. As they couldn’t get in through the door they lowered the man through the roof in front of Jesus. Susie earned a Masters in Christian Leadership and a Masters of Arts in Theology from The Criswell College, Dallas, TX. Here's How Jesus Calls Us to Engaged a... As I write this, our nation faces a time of great social... Expect plenty of storms in remarried life. The man was blind, the crowd must have wondered why Jesus asked this question, but Jesus didn’t assume that he knew what the man wanted. In Mark 10:46-52 we see Jesus’ encounter with Bartimaeus, a man who was blind. Please also opt me in for Exclusive Offers from Patheos’s Partners, When You And Your Spouse Are In Different Spots Emotionally. He declined to heal her because His mission was first to the Jews. Happy New Year: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives, 4. In The Conversations of Jesus, Simon Kistemaker offers a glimpse into the lives of those who were touched by encounters with Jesus Christ. John 3:16 doesn’t use the word “whoever” accidentally! Here you will catch a glimpse of both the sheer authority and the intimate compassion of Jesus Christ. In Luke 5:17-26 Jesus is speaking to a room full of people when some friends bring a man who couldn’t walk to see him. Accessible Jesus: Encounters With People With Special Needs. Jesus often clashed with the Jewish religious leaders. Also, send me the Family Newsletter and special offers. Jesus asked about their faith, and only when they had answered that they did indeed believe in him did he then heal them. He wanted Jesus to heal his servant, who was not with him but at home. As a result of the work of the people of the Archdiocese and the Synod participants, over the next several years the Archdiocese of New Orleans is committed to these priorities and goals: Form Welcoming Communities Who Celebrate our Unity in Diversity: Take for example the story in Mark 7:31-35 of the man described as deaf and mute. Witnessing is a science, an art, and a mystery. The sheep and the goats. The Romans were the invading force in Israel, hated by most, but Jesus took the time to listen to the Centurion, to hear what the man wanted from him. Much has been made of Jesus’ challenging remark at the beginning of the encounter: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24, ESV). One of my subscribers wrote to me and shared a story so powerful, I had to make a video out of it. Jesus was interested in establishing common ground with others. White. The vast majority of all supernatural encounters with God/Jesus of all kinds in the Bible were ambushes initiated by God. It’s a story about us. In this 10-part ebook series, available as a hardcover book in Fall 2013, Timothy Keller explores these encounters and how they can still address our questions and doubts today. Jesus usually met people on their own turf. A Canaanite (Gentile) woman’s faith was rewarded when her daughter was healed. And Jesus gave time to people, he respected their dignity, he didn’t rush their encounter with him. Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman … In Matthew 8:5-13, a Roman Centurion came up to Jesus. The book contextually restores twelve “familiar” Lukan passages—return to Nazareth, Simon, the leper, the paralytic, calling of Levi, the demoniac, Jairus, the bleeding woman, and more—in an engaging narrative story-telling format. by I Gordon. Encountering Jesus, Witnessing with Joy. When it comes to Jesus’ manner of evangelism, Jesus connected with people on a personal basis. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells us to “Go and make disciples of all nations…” of all peoples;  the message is clear, this includes everybody, and Jesus in his ministry showed us how! A little later in Matthew’s Gospel (9:27-31) Jesus encounters two men who were blind. The gospels record some fascinating stories of Jesus' interaction with people. He was loving, caring, and treated people with dignity. Your … There is a subtle rhythm to the way we live. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. , a Roman Centurion came up to Jesus in many cases, given the culture at time... Different groups/types of people man described as deaf and mute through different Perspectives on and. With people their hypocrisy Present, and a Masters in Christian Leadership and a desperate woman at: marnold urbansaints.org. 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