Responses to Jesus Christ

Negative responses to Jesus Christ

Rejection

Mt 21:42; Mk 7:5–8; Lk 4:28–30; Lk 10:16

Lack of faith

Mark 6:4–6 CSB

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his household.” He was not able to do a miracle there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. He was going around the villages teaching.

Questioning his authority

See also Mk 11:27–33

Hardening of hearts

Mt 13:10–17; Jn 12:37–41

Attributing his power to satanic forces

Matthew 9:33–34 CSB

When the demon had been driven out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Demanding his death

See also Lk 23:20–24; Jn 10:22–40

Positive recognition of Jesus Christ’s identity

As Messiah

John 1:41 CSB

He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”),

See also Lk 2:11; Lk 9:20; Ac 5:42

As King

John 1:49 CSB

“Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!”

See also Mt 2:1–2; Mt 27:37

As Lord

John 6:68 CSB

Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.

See also Jn 13:13

As Son of David

Matthew 15:22 CSB

Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely tormented by a demon.”

As Son of God

Acts 9:20 CSB

Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”

See also Mt 8:29; Jn 1:34; Jn 1:49

As Teacher

Matthew 19:16 CSB

Just then someone came up and asked him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?”

See also Mt 23:10; Jn 11:28

Responses to Jesus Christ by those whom he healed

Faith

Mark 10:52 CSB

Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road.

See also Mt 8:13; Mt 9:27–31; Jn 4:43–54

Thankfulness

Luke 17:11–19 CSB

While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed. But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”

Witnessing to others

Lk 8:38–39; Jn 1:40–42; Jn 1:45–46; Jn 5:10–15; Jn 9:13–34

Responses to Jesus Christ by those whom he met and taught

Amazement

Matthew 7:26–29 CSB

But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

See also Mk 12:17

Delight

Mark 12:37 CSB

David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How, then, can he be his son?” And the large crowd was listening to him with delight.

Faith

Mt 8:10; Mt 9:2; Mt 9:22; Mt 15:28; Jn 12:11; Jn 12:41–43

Repentance

Luke 19:8 CSB

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”

See also Mt 11:20; Mk 6:12; Lk 13:2–5

Obedience

Mt 28:20; Jn 15:20; Jn 17:6

Worship

Mt 2:2; Mt 14:33

Worship is a response to Jesus Christ which is especially associated with the period after his resurrection:

Mt 28:9; Lk 24:52

Responses to Jesus Christ by those whom he redeemed

Faith

Acts 16:31 CSB

They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

See also Ro 10:9–10; 1 Jn 3:23; 1 Jn 5:5

Obedience

Ro 16:26; Php 2:12; Heb 5:8–9; 1 Pe 4:17

Calling on his name

Ac 9:14; Ac 9:21; Ro 10:13; 1 Co 1:2

Giving thanks in his name

Ephesians 5:20 CSB

giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Glorifying his name

2 Thessalonians 1:12 CSB

so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proclaiming him to the world

Acts 5:42 CSB

Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

See also Ac 8:5; Ac 16:10; Ro 15:19; Col 1:28; 2 Ti 1:8