Scripture says three times to Behold (look intently upon) Jesus. The first is the beginning of his ministry when John the Baptist exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God…” (John 1:36). Another is when none in heaven or earth is qualified to take the little book (the title deed to the earthly kingdoms) from the hand of Him sitting on the throne, the Apostle John is told, “Behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah…” (Rev. 5:5) The third is when Pilate, after finding no fault in Jesus, presented him before his accusers saying, “Behold the Man!” (John 19:5)
Beholding the Lamb, we see the sacrificial Lamb that atones for sin. Beholding the Lion, we see the sovereign King that will make all things new. Beholding the Man, we see the second Adam who lived a perfect life among us. Knowing about this man’s humanity is as important as knowing about the other two aspects of his being. So what kind of a man was Jesus?
This book introduces the reader to the individual his contemporary’s saw, while relying only on the Gospels as the source materials. His contemporaries saw someone quite different from the person modern Christians imagine him to be. The biblical Jesus was much more robust than contemporary teachers portray him. Due to incorrect, even disingenuous teaching, the modern church presents a witness that is less robust than was the case in previous generations. We need to behold the real biblical Jesus because, “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” – (Luke 6:40 KJV)
