Characteristics of Jesus' Life

The life of Jesus is many things to me. I made a list of characteristics I would use to describe it. I'm sure it is not exhaustive, but was helpful to me in organizing my thoughts. [These are in no particular order]

(1) Historical
It is important to me that the life of Christ is a historical event, and not merely some mystical parable of how life should be lived. Jesus' life was recordable and was recorded. It is important to me that Jesus lived in history because I live in history. It is important to me that Jesus lived in the 'real world' because I live in the 'real world.'

(2) Revealing
The life of Jesus serves as the primary and chief revelation of God's character and nature. In the life of Christ I find God. Just as my children know me because I dwell with them and they experience me, I know God as Father because in Christ He has dwelt with humanity and we have experienced His life. (Perhaps slightly off-topic, one means by which I continue to experience God as Father is by the indwelling of the Spirit.)

(3) Revolutionary
In the life of Jesus I am confronted with the subversive and counter-cultural nature of God's Kingdom. The life of Jesus revolts against every norm and status quo. Jesus turns on it's head the expectation and presuppositions about the Kingdom and God.

(4) Relational
Jesus' life reveals the relational nature of God and the importance of relationships to the Kingdom and to God. Jesus sups with humanity, fellowships with humanity, and shares in all our pain and ugliness. Jesus cares tenderly for others and is cared for tenderly. Jesus has a mother, father, siblings and friends.

(5) Exemplary
Jesus' life serves for me as the example of the life I am to live. As Jesus loved, so am I to love. As Jesus served, so am I to serve.

(6) In-breaking
Jesus' life is a breaking-in of the Triune God into human history. It interrupts the natural order of human life. Jesus' life marks history profoundly, and demonstrates God's rescuing, intervening, passionate love.

(7) Cultural
Jesus' life must be understood with regard for his Jewish religio-cultural heritage. That Jesus' life included and celebrated his earthly contextual environment. This is important because it affirms God's inspiring presence in cultural formation/development. Culture is not inherently sinful or else Jesus could not and would not have identified with his own culture. Jesus' identification with his culture empowers us and commissions us to celebrate our respective cultures insofar as they do not cause us to sin.

(8) Incarnational
That Jesus' life is the life of God in the flesh is unquestionably important. In Christ, God is with us. John says the Word "dwelt" with us, tabernacled with us---literally "pitched his tent" with us. That Jesus identified with humanity and shared in humanities joys, sorrows, destiny gives us the most profound glimpse into the heart of God.

(9) Inaugurating
The life of Jesus inaugurates God's reign. In Jesus' life we taste a sampling of the marriage supper of the Lamb. In Jesus' life we are given a glimpse of what the Kingdom is currently and will be to the full in the eschaton. Jesus' life begins the end and summons from afar the consummation of all things.

(10) Inclusive
In Jesus' life we see the bringing near of the outcast, the exultation of the downtrodden, the honoring of the oppressed, and praise of the despised. Jesus intentionally turns upside-down all the notions of righteousness and piety held by the religious authorities. Jesus life includes those who were most often excluded from thoughts of Kingdom citizenship.

(11) Intimate
Jesus' life presents us with the story of a friend who had intimate relationships that transcended mere religious affiliation. In contrast to other rabbis, Jesus held unusually close relationships with his disciples. He considered them his friends.

(12) Spirit-filled, -led, -empowered
Jesus' life is characterized by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is led by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit. Jesus does signs and wonders in the power of the Spirit and is anointed by the Spirit. In Jesus' life, we can see what our own lives can be when surrendered to, led by, empowered by the Spirit.

(13) Peace-making/Just
Though often controversial, Jesus' life is marked by a peculiar peace. He heals the ear of a soldier who is sent to arrest him. He brings peace to the hearts of those lives he touches. Jesus teaches and models peace throughout his life. It is important to note what Dr. King said, "Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice." Jesus is an advocate for the poor and oppressed. Jesus speaks truth to power. Jesus teaches and models justice.

(14) Prophetic/Proclamational
Jesus' life can also be seen as prophetic and proclamational. Jesus' life pointed to the Kingdom and the Father. His first recorded 'sermon' was "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Being very God, Jesus spoke with unique prophetic authority. Like no other prophet, Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom as its King.

(15) Human
The fully human nature of Jesus is important to his life. Jesus is touched by the feeling of humanities infirmities. Jesus is tempted in every way as a man is. Jesus is fully human. Jesus identifies fully with humanity.

(16) Divine
In the life of Jesus, we are confronted with the life of God. Jesus is God in the flesh. Fully and very God, Jesus speaks with God's authority and claims oneness with the Father. Jesus' full divinity is essential.

(17) Self-sacrificial
Jesus' life, not just his crucifixion, is characterized by self-sacrificial love. Jesus' mission was to serve and he modeled servanthood and sacrifice throughout his life.

(18) Trinitarian
In the life of Jesus we can clearly see the life of the triune God revealed. Jesus is sent by the Father and sends the Spirit. Jesus is honored by the Father and empowered by the Spirit. Jesus is led by the Spirit and obeys the Father. Jesus does only what the Father *IS* doing and tells him to do, while doing it in the power and anointing of the Spirit. Jesus prays to the Father by the Spirit.

(19) Victorious
Jesus' life is characterized by victory, not triumphalism. In Jesus' surrender to his Father, he lays claim to authority and victory over demons and Satan. Jesus rebukes Satan with the Word and is victorious over sin and death. Jesus a the Warrior King like David but his victory is cosmic and not merely terrestrial.