- When you think about Jesus, do the qualities or attributes that the prophets describe in this week’s verses come to mind? Which descriptive words do you usually think of? Which descriptive words used by the prophets rarely if ever come to your mind?
- For the Jews of the first century – and for us today, isn’t it difficult to imagine a king or a ruler who is “gentle”? Does Jesus’ life appear to be one of gentleness, in your understanding? In what way was Jesus “gentle”?
- The “Good Shepherd” is a description we often use for Jesus, but rarely think about. For First Century Jews, it represented a clear image because of their agrarian context and it fulfilled the well-known promises of the prophets. What contemporary image would do the same for you today?
- The replacement of a “heart of stone” with a “heart of flesh” is a powerful word picture – one that speaks of refusing to ignore those in need because of our “hard hearts” and, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, making us sensitive and responsive to their difficulties. It also refers to our heart toward God and his commandments? How do these intersect?
- There seems to be little preaching about Jesus as the “King of Justice and Peace” when the Bible talks about this so often – why? When Jesus is often described as a ruler who identifies with the poor and needy and with the vulnerable, why do you think this is so rarely discussed in evangelical circles?