Ronnie Floyd

Archive for the 'Bible Studies for Life' Category

February 10th, 2015

Jesus’ Death is Like No Other

Have you ever considered how differently we think about death depending on who has died? We tend to respond more emotionally if we share some kind of connection with one who has passed away. Even within our own families we can experience varying levels of grief. The death of a spouse or child will affect one differently than the death of a distant cousin barely known even by name.

If we have experienced a particular death–spouse, friend, parent–we tend to respond more emotionally when someone we know goes through that same experience. Most people realize this.

People respond in all kinds of ways when people die

But, why do some respond so viscerally when a celebrity dies? Few people know celebrities in any way other than by music or film, yet when a music or movie star dies people with no other social connection weep, leave mementos, and write odes to their memory. Sometimes this even happens with famous world leaders. When compared with the number of people who die unrecognized, and unmemorialized from violence and disease around the world, the difference is quite stark.

Jesus’ sacrificial death was like no other and has an impact still today

There is a death that stands above any death history has ever known. It is more important than any head of state, military genius, or celebrity who has ever lived. That death is the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

Here is how the Bible describes the death of Jesus:

“They stripped Him and dressed Him in a scarlet military robe. They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and placed a reed in His right hand. And they knelt down before Him and mocked Him: ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ Then they spit on Him, took the reed, and kept hitting Him on the head. When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.”¹

We know more about the death of Jesus that any other person of the time, and more than almost everyone in antiquity. Most died then as most die today: mourned by family and friends, while unnoticed by the rest of humanity. But not Jesus Christ. His death is still studied, revered, and celebrated the world around.

Jesus’ death is significant

Jesus’ death was on behalf of everyone. He was the spotless sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. The Apostle Paul wrote, “[God] made the One who did not Know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”²

He was the One who died for many. He is God who died for those separated from God. Tony Evans writes in Bible Studies for Life, “How ironic that the One who came to bring justice to the bruised reeds in this life was bruised Himself by a reed. He who would cup the wilted reed in His hand and nurture it back to health and strength stood bloodied, beaten, and mocked by those He came to save.”³

Jesus’ death has never and will never lose its significance. We should constantly praise God for the death of Jesus as well as His resurrection. It will for all of time and eternity be a death like no other.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd

Senior Pastor, Cross Church

General Editor, Bible Studies for Life

President, Southern Baptist Convention

References

¹– Matthew 27:28-31 (HCSB)
²– 2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB)
³– Bible Studies for Life, Like No Other, Tony Evans

Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

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February 3rd, 2015

Jesus’ Teachings are Like No Other

Bible Studies for Life

“They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.”¹

“The police answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this!’”²

If you have already graduated from high school or college, was there a specific teacher or professor whose teaching stood out from the rest? Did a history teacher make ancient times seem like yesterday? Did a science teacher open the wonders of the galaxies? Did a math professor finally make working with letters and numbers at the same time make sense? Can you remember a teacher or professor who created an interest in a subject that had never interested you before?

Subject matter can come to life from the mind of a great teacher.

Jesus Taught Like No Other

The first century Middle East saw no shortage of teachers. There were rabbis aplenty, with disciples listening to their every word. Jesus, in the eyes of first century Israel, was another in a line of such rabbis. Often through the New Testament, He was addressed as “teacher” or “rabbi.” There was nothing in His appearance to set Him apart at a teacher.

But, there was something in His words and in His life.

It was said of Jesus, “He taught them as one having authority, not like the Scribes and Pharisees.” Jesus did not teach from a place of uncertainty, but as one having authority. Should we be surprised? Jesus was God incarnate, the very Word of God made flesh. He spoke as Author, not merely interpreter or teacher.

Jesus Himself is Like No Other

In the words of Tony Evans, “Christ’s authority is unlimited because it rests intrinsically within Him. He taught with authority like no other because He is that authority. He embodies absolute truth.”³

Think for a moment about some of the miracles Jesus performed. He routinely healed people, He raised people from the dead, He walked on water, He multiplied food, and on and on. He had authority over life, death, and creation. His disciples fell down in fear after He blessed them with a great catch of fish.

Jesus is Our Authority

The authority Jesus displayed in His actions and teaching was confirmed after the resurrection when He said, “All authority is given to Me in heaven and on Earth” (paraphrase). The same authority that empowered Jesus’ teachings then, empowers Jesus’ teachings now.

Our lives can be changed by the greatest teaching the world has ever known. The authority of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is as strong today as when He walked the earth. His power to save has not diminished, nor has the authority of His word. He is a teacher like no other. All because Jesus Himself is our authority. He is truly incomparable to all others. This is why we must tell the world!