Things I have learned about Jesus this year.

I may be slow on the uptake, but there are things I have learned about Jesus this year that I never knew or, perhaps, never thought much about. Just goes to show that you never can learn enough or too much. There is always so much more to know and love about the Savior.

1. Jesus didn't heal people using a particular method. This is so important because if we read that Jesus healed using one specific thing, we would be tempted to think it was the method and not Jesus who did the healing. Jesus is always the source.

2. Jesus knew what it was like to lose a close family member. The Bible is silent on what happened to Joseph, Jesus' earthly father. However, we do know that Jesus had younger siblings and did have a father for some time and had learned carpentry from him. So, it is safe to assume that there was a loss of relationship that would have been profound. He knows what it is like to lose a parent.

3. Jesus knew what it was like to be rejected. I don't mean rejected in the sense of not being popular, but rejected in such a way that he at one point even asked his disciples if they were going to leave Him too. Rejection that yelled, "Crucify Him!" No one will ever experience the type of rejection He experienced.

4. Jesus received a "No" from His Father in answer to His prayers. If you feel sorry for yourself because you don't think God will give you what you want, just remember Jesus the unique and only Son of God prayed with sweat running with blood down His face asking God if there was any other way to accomplish salvation without experiencing the cup of wrath that we deserved. The "No" He received accomplished our salvation.

5. Jesus fought temptation with the same tools available to His followers. He did not use His divine power. He used the Word of God and prayer. The Word is power! We ought to use it too.