Author’s Note: Interested readers can find all previous volumes of this series here.
Due to the “clickbait” headline, some readers might accuse me of denigrating Jesus by equating Our Risen Lord to a rock star. Well… He is a rock star! Jesus rose from the rock tomb and stars forever on earth and in heaven. For the earth part, I recommend reading “What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?” for an in-depth understanding of the miraculous impact Jesus had (has) on humankind.
Moreover, the headline ties into this Bible study's mission to attract readers unfamiliar with the Bible (or who have fallen away). And, on any given Sunday while surfing this popular secular political site, they unexpectedly stumble upon a Bible study. (Why I often receive heartfelt emails from readers beginning with “I was surprised to see your study...”)
Today’s “modern” headline also targets readers who might be more open to learning about Jesus while their chocolate marshmallow Easter eggs are still fresh. If that is YOU, welcome aboard. (And don’t be shy about joining our regular gang of “enthusiastic” commenters. We even have a “mayor” who keeps order – recently reappointed to a second term.)
Now let’s dive into what I consider the most popular and meaningful verses attributed to Jesus as recorded in the four Gospels.
But first, my all-time favorite verse: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Why this verse? I love how Jesus’s words are emphatic with no exceptions and no wiggle room, beginning his sentences with “I am” and “No one.”
Jesus’s greatest hits are grouped by Gospel in order of appearance. But, do not passively read today’s study. Instead, imagine Jesus saying these words to you. Then, pray about and reread the verses that most penetrate your soul and touch your heart.
Jesus takes over from here. (But I interrupt sparingly to clarify or embellish.)
From Matthew:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44).
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37).
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30).
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50).
“With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:36-40). (See Vol. 33 for further study of “The Greatest Commandment.”)
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). (Myra interrupts: This verse is part of Jesus’s teaching about helping the poor. See Matthew 25: 31-46 for more context.)
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20.) (The end verse of the “Great Commission” – see Vol. 12.)
From Mark:
“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). (Myra interrupts: Abraham Lincoln is usually credited with what has become a political cliché. As an avid Bible reader, Lincoln quoted Jesus in his speech while vying to win the Republican nomination for an Illinois U.S. Senate seat in 1858.)
"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36).
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45).
From Luke:
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9 –10).
From John:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). (This is among the greatest of the “greatest hits.” It went “multi-platinum” and will forever rank high on the “charts.”)
“Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58).
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34-35).
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1).
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).
“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).
Final thoughts: If you didn’t know Jesus before now, you know Him a little better. On behalf of readers who are believers, “We thank you for your Word, Lord Jesus.”
Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a media producer and conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. She is also Executive Director of www.SignFromGod.org, a ministry dedicated to educating people about the Shroud of Turin. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com or Twitter @MyraKAdams.
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