I cannot help but want to know Jesus. Not because He suffered the same things AS me but because He suffered them FOR me. We've been learning about Jesus, the man of sorrows who travelled Via Dolorosa, the road of suffering. He suffered for my sake. That is what makes Him different from any other god. Not because He merely identifies with us, but because He has invested ALL He had in us. He has imputed power and grace to us.

I want to know the Jesus who overcame the things I go through and through the Holy Spirit, teaches me to do the same. The God who compelled wise men to travel miles to bow and offer gifts. The Jesus whom shepherds came to pay homage to, to marvel at and praise God because they saw the example of the angels. The Jesus whom the prophets in the temple recognised when He was a baby, gave thanks for and boasted of to the rest of Jerusalem.

The young boy, Jesus, who grew and became strong and wise in the favour of the Lord. So wise that He went on to amaze the teachers in the temple with His questions. After which He continued to grow in wisdom and favour with God and men.

I want to know the Jesus whom John the baptist preached about. The Jesus who would fill the valleys and make the mountains low. The Jesus who would straighten the crooked places and level out the rough ones. The Jesus who would suffer in the wilderness only to come out stronger because He was holding on to the Word, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

The Jesus who was anointed with Holy Spirit to heal the sick, restore limbs, cast out evil spirits, cleanse the lepers, make the blind see, and the deaf hear. The Jesus who preached good news to the poor. The Jesus who spoke with authority, healed with authority, and had authority to give when He sent out His disciples. Jesus who came to seek and save the Lost.

Jesus who was persecuted because attention seeking Jews could not keep up with Him or the miracles He wrought. Persecuted by those who knew the law but not the power. Rejected by those who were waiting for the Messiah but did not recognise Him.

This Jesus who taught moral absolutes, Who looked at the heart rather than mere actions. Who cared for people more than customs. Who would rebuke the winds and waves and have them be silent. Jesus who knew the Father and introduced us to Him.

Jesus who flourished in life as the First Minister of the Good News, yet gave it all up only on the cross. But only for 3 days because He was an overcomer of death, poverty, sickness and sin. Because He took back all that Satan stole and made it available again to us. Praise God!!!