Ben Wilson

I do think this is one of my favorite things about studying Jesus is realizing just how open and sociable he was. So here's a good quote from Paul Johnson. There was something about Jesus' appearance, the way he held himself, the steadiness of his gaze, which attracted people. They felt he was open, that he would receive them as a friend and talk to them.

I do think this is one of my favorite things about studying Jesus is realizing just how open and sociable he was. So here's a good quote from Paul Johnson. There was something about Jesus' appearance, the way he held himself, the steadiness of his gaze, which attracted people. They felt he was open, that he would receive them as a friend and talk to them.

Indeed, Jesus' manifest and responsive friendliness was his most striking quality, and it was apparent from the start. He directed it to all, but made each feel selected and treasured. Yet there was nothing professional about it. It came from the heart. There could be no mistake about that." With the exception of spreading news of his miracles, Jesus was always open.

Indeed, Jesus' manifest and responsive friendliness was his most striking quality, and it was apparent from the start. He directed it to all, but made each feel selected and treasured. Yet there was nothing professional about it. It came from the heart. There could be no mistake about that." With the exception of spreading news of his miracles, Jesus was always open.

He enjoyed food, the wine circulated, the talk flowed, but he respected the need of privacy for others, even secrecy. One of the most striking of his encounters was with Nicodemus, a Jew of high position, a Pharisee and a spiritual ruler who was prominent in the hierarchy. He came to Jesus by night so as not to jeopardize his position, and Jesus did not rebuke him for cowardice.

He enjoyed food, the wine circulated, the talk flowed, but he respected the need of privacy for others, even secrecy. One of the most striking of his encounters was with Nicodemus, a Jew of high position, a Pharisee and a spiritual ruler who was prominent in the hierarchy. He came to Jesus by night so as not to jeopardize his position, and Jesus did not rebuke him for cowardice.

On the contrary, he received him kindly and explained to him in memorable words much of his inner message. OK, another quote on his self-control. This again from Paul Johnson. But, you know, I really liked N.T. Wright's book, The New Testament and its world. It's an excellent resource for understanding the New Testament. Having said that, it is more.

On the contrary, he received him kindly and explained to him in memorable words much of his inner message. OK, another quote on his self-control. This again from Paul Johnson. But, you know, I really liked N.T. Wright's book, The New Testament and its world. It's an excellent resource for understanding the New Testament. Having said that, it is more.

I think it is a textbook, like I think it's actually used as a textbook in some seminaries, and so it reads like it. Paul Johnson's account is much more poetic. And so I like that because it helps bring home who Jesus was as a person. So that's why I'm using more of his quotes in these end notes. But here's another one, Paul Johnson on his self-control.

I think it is a textbook, like I think it's actually used as a textbook in some seminaries, and so it reads like it. Paul Johnson's account is much more poetic. And so I like that because it helps bring home who Jesus was as a person. So that's why I'm using more of his quotes in these end notes. But here's another one, Paul Johnson on his self-control.

A careful reading of the gospels shows us the man who always kept his head, if not his life, when others were losing theirs. They teach us patience, forbearance, self-control, calmness, serenity, the pursuit and maintenance of quiet amid the storm of life. For more than 2,000 years, this has proved a valuable lesson to those individuals and societies intelligent enough to learn it.

A careful reading of the gospels shows us the man who always kept his head, if not his life, when others were losing theirs. They teach us patience, forbearance, self-control, calmness, serenity, the pursuit and maintenance of quiet amid the storm of life. For more than 2,000 years, this has proved a valuable lesson to those individuals and societies intelligent enough to learn it.

Jesus pushed virtues like mercy as far as they could go, but he was not an extremist. On the contrary, all the evidence of the Gospels shows the balance of his life, the faultless way in which he steered sensibly between egregious positions. He was a private man, but not a hermit. He could be solitary, but only for brief periods. He liked company in moderation.

Jesus pushed virtues like mercy as far as they could go, but he was not an extremist. On the contrary, all the evidence of the Gospels shows the balance of his life, the faultless way in which he steered sensibly between egregious positions. He was a private man, but not a hermit. He could be solitary, but only for brief periods. He liked company in moderation.

He talked, he had much to say, but he said it succinctly, and he knew when to ask questions and when to be silent. He was equable but could express indignation when required. He could weep, but he never despaired. He could laugh, though we were never explicitly told so, but he laughed with, not at. He was mocked, but he never mocked. He was struck, and he turned the other cheek.

He talked, he had much to say, but he said it succinctly, and he knew when to ask questions and when to be silent. He was equable but could express indignation when required. He could weep, but he never despaired. He could laugh, though we were never explicitly told so, but he laughed with, not at. He was mocked, but he never mocked. He was struck, and he turned the other cheek.

In an age of fury and loathing, when religious extremism held sway, he was a difficult man to dislike, let alone hate. And if, in the end, the unbalanced man hated him enough to kill him, it was precisely for his equanimity. And I do think that is one of the most powerful images of Jesus is at the end of his life, standing in silence to his questioning. Right.

In an age of fury and loathing, when religious extremism held sway, he was a difficult man to dislike, let alone hate. And if, in the end, the unbalanced man hated him enough to kill him, it was precisely for his equanimity. And I do think that is one of the most powerful images of Jesus is at the end of his life, standing in silence to his questioning. Right.

That that self-possession, that self-control to to never lose himself to rage or any emotion is something I'm going to take away. OK. One other note that I found interesting is you have the Sadducees, you have the Pharisees. And it's interesting because the Pharisees. believed in resurrection and the Sadducees did not.

That that self-possession, that self-control to to never lose himself to rage or any emotion is something I'm going to take away. OK. One other note that I found interesting is you have the Sadducees, you have the Pharisees. And it's interesting because the Pharisees. believed in resurrection and the Sadducees did not.