On the Words of Jesus Christ

The Words of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is one of the notable figures in human history. Although he lived over two thousand years ago, the words of Jesus continue to influence cultures around the world today. His teachings were recorded by a group of his disciples or followers and passed down through a series of historical documents that were well preserved. These biographers recount many of teachings pertaining to a wide variety of topics such as morality, money, purpose, life, good and evil, heaven and hell, God and himself. The photo at right shows the books or documents contained within what is known as the Old Testament and the New Testament. These collective writings from dozens of authors is collectively known as the Bible. It is believed by many historians to be one of the most well preserved collection of historical documents available today.

His teachings are unique from others of his era. He used practical language and illustrations that were easy to understand and apply to people’s lives. He didn’t speak words to shame or condemnation. He didn’t put the burden of performance on people. Instead, the words of Jesus are filled with hope, mercy, love, kindness, wisdom and insight. Let’s survey some of the more notable words of Jesus Christ.

The Words of Jesus Christ about Where to Invest
The words of Jesus provide insights into how to make the wisest possible investments with your life. Consider these words of Jesus, "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." (Matthew 6:19-21, The Message Bible)

On the same topic of investment, the words of Jesus are recorded as, "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.” (Matthew 6:24, The Message Bible)

The Words of Jesus Christ on Finding Success
The words of Jesus regarding shortcuts to success are powerful and yet very practical. These are the words of Jesus as recorded by his biographers on this topic, "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention." (Matthew 7:13-14, The Message Bible)

The Words of Jesus Christ about Worry
The words of Jesus regarding worrying about how to handle the difficult circumstances of life went something like this: "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (Matthew 6:34, The Message Bible)

The Words of Jesus Christ about Studying the Bible
It’s unfortunate that some people like to study about the words of Jesus but they don’t take it any further. Here are the words of Jesus regarding this practice. "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards." (Matthew 7:26-27, The Message Bible)

The Words of Jesus Christ about Choosing Relationships
Jesus taught people that choosing him would sometimes cause rifts in other relationships and when that happens, you have to make a choice. Here are the words of Jesus on this topic: "Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut—make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law—cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me." (Matthew 10:34-37, The Message Bible)

The Words of Jesus Christ about How to Pray
The words of Jesus offered to his disciples about how to pray went like this:
"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
(Matthew 6:9-13., New International Version)

The Words of Jesus Christ about the Treatment of Others
The words of Jesus are quite poignant when he speaks about how we are to treat others. "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." (Matthew 5:43-48, The Message Bible)

The Words of Jesus Christ about Doing Acts of Kindness
The words of Jesus are all about being real and authentic in how you treat other people. Here are some words of Jesus regarding doing good things for other people for disingenuous motives: "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." (Matthew 6:1-4, The Message Bible)

The Words of Jesus Christ about Your Commitment to Him
The words of Jesus are clear when it comes to understanding the cost of following him. He put it this way: "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me." (Matthew 10:38-39, The Message Bible)

The Words of Jesus Christ about Himself
The words of Jesus about himself are remarkable. One of the most infamous statements his biographers record him saying is, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:16-18, New International Version)

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26, New International Version)

The Words of Jesus Christ: Personal Application
The words of Jesus stand out uniquely from those of others recorded in history. So, what do you make of the words of Jesus Christ? If you believe his words are accurate, it provides for a dramatically different perspective on how to live life. This overview of the words of Jesus is just a small glimpse into his many teachings as recorded by his biographers. We’ve developed this website to provide you with a wide array of resources designed to help you in your exploration into the person of Jesus Christ and his teachings.

The Words of Jesus Christ: Key References to Explore

1. Matthew 6 – Jesus discusses practical issues of morality and life
2. Matthew 7:13-27 – Jesus gives insights into building a healthy spiritual life
3. Matthew 10:34-39 – Jesus discusses what is involved in being his disciple
4. John 3:1-21 – Jesus discusses spiritual life and salvation
5. John 9 – Jesus uses a man’s blindness to teach about spiritual blindess

The Words of Jesus Christ: Launching Points

1. Jesus teachings and key messages
2. Jesus discusses his purpose
3. Key teachings and parables of Jesus
4. Jesus claims about himself