Meeting and Knowing Jesus

Have your students review some of the people from the New Testament who met and recognized Jesus. Have them make a guess before they check their answers in the Bible. Then have them write a essay or journal entry detailing what they would say to Jesus if they met him face to face.

1. This person said, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Messiah?” (Jn 4:29)

2. This man said, “Who are you, sir?” After Jesus revealed himself to the man, he found out that he was blinded. (Acts 9:5–9)

3. They traveled with Jesus for seven miles without knowing who he was, but came to realize who he was when they had dinner with him. (Lk 24:13–31)

4. He said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16:16)

5. This man thought Jesus was the Son of God because Jesus told him, “I saw you under the fig tree.” (Jn 1:48–50)

6. They recognized Jesus as a king when they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Mt 2:1–11)

7. Some thought this man was the Messiah but he said, “One mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.” (Lk 3:16)

8. This person said, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (Jn 20:28–29)

9. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him; in a loud voice he shouted, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me!” (Lk 8:28–30)

10. Jesus refused to perform miracles for this person. In talking with him, Jesus quoted some passages from the Old Testament including, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test” (Mt 4:1–11)

11. You. (What would you say to Jesus?) Write what you would say in your journa or as a short essay.

Answers: 1. Samaritan woman at the well; 2. Saul (Paul); 3. Two disciples on the road to Emmaus; 4. Peter; 5. Nathanael; 6. The magi; 7. John the Baptist; 8. Thomas; 9. Man possessed by demons; 10. The devil.

The material above is taken from the new edition of Encountering Jesus in the New Testament by Michael Pennock.