The New Testament writers offer us many moving images of Jesus and many interpretations of his significance. In his book, The Varieties of New Testament Religion, Ernest F. Scott has observed that the views of the early followers of Jesus “had not been arrived at by any rational process,” (that was to come later); but “to begin with, there was only the overwhelming sense of a new world of truth which had been disclosed through Christ.” The believers “were conscious rather of an inrush of divine power and certainty.” They were involved in “a new attitude to God, a new kind of life, the sense of a divine energy bestowed by Christ on his people.”

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” As we move through this season of Lent and share our responses to his question in our home study groups, the words “servant,” “Lord,” and “light” come to mind as expressions of the truth, power, new life and energy to which Dr. Scott refers.

In the Acts of the Apostles, the author uses titles for Jesus inherited from the earliest layers of Christian tradition. He brackets Peter’s sermon in 3:13-26 with two references to Jesus as God’s servant. Jesus himself stated that “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). In other words, Jesus served us by releasing us from our captivity. What holds you captive, what holds you back from being the whole person God intends you to be? Do you experience Jesus as a means of release from forms of personal bond- age? When you serve someone else, do you feel new life and energy?

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is the earliest known piece of Christian literature. In his greeting, Paul offers “grace and peace” to the church “in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” To name Jesus as “Lord” was to use a title ascribed to the Roman emperor. Why did Paul use this term in reference to Jesus? Do you experience Jesus as Lord, i.e., ruler of your life? How? In what ways does following Jesus give you power over the rulers of this world?

The Gospel of John elaborates on language used about Jesus in the first three Gospels which is derived from Old Testament references to the name of God (e.g., “I am” in Exodus 3:14). In John 8:12 (and 9:5), Jesus refers to himself as light: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Does Jesus bring light to your life? Think of a time when you have experienced dread or darkness. How did your relationship with Jesus help see you through this period? Do you feel lighter knowing Jesus walks beside you?

Our servant Lord brings the light of faith, hope and undying love to our lives. As we move through Lent toward the celebration of Easter, may we meditate not only on who we say Jesus is, but on the ways we actually let him into our lives.