Jesus is…

Each day this month I will be answering one question from these December Journal Prompts.

Day 23: List 10 words you would use to describe Jesus.

1. Faithful

“Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.” – Isaiah 11:5, NIV

The word “faithful” has been on my mind a lot lately, especially since writing about God’s faithfulness on Day 17. In Isaiah 11, this prophetic language typologically points forward to the coming Savior of the word, who we now know as Jesus. Faithfulness is such a significant part of who Jesus is that it’s like he adorns himself with it as a sash around his waist for all to see.

2. Selfless

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9, NIV

When I think about what Jesus gave up for my benefit, it never ceases to amaze me. I have a hard time simply sharing my yummy snack with someone else. But Jesus surrendered everything he had (heaven, glory, his life) in order to give us everything we needed.  

3. Perfect

“A high priest like [Jesus] really meets our need. He is holy, pure and without blame. He isn’t like other people. He does not sin. He is lifted high above the heavens.” – Hebrews 7:26, NIrV

I’m a perfectionist, but the reality is that my life will never be perfect. Jesus, on the other hand, is the very essence of perfection. He lived a sinless life and is holy, pure, and blameless in everything he does.

4. Glorious

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14, NIV

The word glory can be defined as resplendent beauty or magnificence (dictionary.com). There is nothing on earth that can come close to comparing with the astonishing glory of Jesus. We catch glimpses of his glory through the beauty all around us, but one day we will be fully bowled over by it when we come into his glorious presence.

5. Gracious

“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved…” – Acts 15:11, NIV

The grace of Jesus has been a defining factor in my life, and yet is still so hard for me to grasp. I struggle to show myself grace and often battle with feelings of unworthiness when it comes to God’s grace. But Jesus was so committed to showing me grace that he was willing to die for me, even though I didn’t deserve it. He considers me worthy, despite my flaws and failures.

6. Kind

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” – Luke 6:35, NIV

Jesus didn’t just speak these words, but he lived them. He loved his enemies, even up to the point of forgiving those who hung him on a cross and left him there to die. His kindness was evident throughout his life, and he continues to display it to me everyday.

7. Present

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18, NIV

I’m so thankful that Jesus is not some far off, untouchable royalty figure that only makes appearances on special occasions. He is always present, and he wants to walk with us through the ups and downs of our daily lives.

8. Divine

“God’s whole nature is living in Christ in human form.” – Colossians 2:9, NIrV

Jesus was the full embodiment of God on earth. Why does this matter? To me, it matters because it means that the God of the universe was willing to lower himself down to our level to identify with us in our humanity and ultimately pay the price to save us from certain destruction. I think that’s pretty amazing!

9. Steady

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8, NIV

It is so reassuring to know that Jesus doesn’t flounder around like we do. He doesn’t make up his mind and then change it later. He is steady and unchanging. He is a constant rock that we can depend on, no matter what our circumstances. He is the same yesterday, today, and every day.

10. Compassionate

“When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” – Matthew 9:36, NIV

Everything that Jesus did was motivated by loving compassion. The reason he came to earth in the first place was because he saw us—the crowds—and how utterly helpless we were against the reality of our own sins. We all needed a shepherd. But not just any shepherd. We needed a shepherd who would risk everything to truly rescue us from the peril we faced—something only God himself could do. I’m so thankful for the compassion Jesus has shown me and I know that I would be lost without it.