Jesus In The Public Spotlight
Jesus in the Public Spotlight
Bro Roger Campbell | 27 July 2025
John 20:30–31 reminds us that Jesus did many signs not written in the Gospel, but the ones recorded are written so that we may believe He is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, we may have life in His name. John 21:25 adds that if everything Jesus did were written down, the world itself couldn’t contain the books. That tells us how rich, active, and powerful His life and ministry were — and much of it was lived in full public view. When Jesus began His public ministry around the age of 30, He stepped into the spotlight. People were watching and listening closely. Sometimes He had private moments, like with Nicodemus or the Samaritan woman, but often, the world saw and heard what He said and did. In this message, we look at four areas of Jesus' life that were visible to all: His conduct, His teaching, His miracles, and His cross.
First, His conduct was unlike anyone else’s. Jesus lived a completely sinless life. 1 Peter 2:22 says, “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.” Hebrews 4:15 adds that He was tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin. He didn’t just sin less — He was without sin. 1 John 3:4 defines sin as lawlessness, and Jesus always obeyed God fully.
He is the best role model anyone can look up to — better than any celebrity. Parents and grandparents, guide your children to follow Jesus. His life was rooted in obedience and reverence for Scripture. When tempted by Satan after 40 days of fasting, Jesus responded with Scripture, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4). He pointed people back to God’s Word, as we see in Luke 10:25–26.
His mindset was also pure — Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus came not to do His own will, but to do the will of His Father (John 6:38), and He always did the things that pleased Him (John 8:29).
Jesus’ love was also on full display — He didn’t just love those who loved Him. He loved everyone. He is the perfect example of selfless, sacrificial love.
Second, His teaching came from divine authority. Jesus never spoke on His own — John 12:48–50 tells us that the words He spoke came from the Father. He said in John 7:16, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” His teachings weren’t secret or hidden. In John 18:19–21, Jesus said He spoke openly to the world — in synagogues, in the temple, and not in secret. He wanted everyone to know the truth, and so should we.
As followers of Jesus, we should never be ashamed of His words. Some major themes in His teaching included love, obedience, the heart, and eternal life. Jesus taught that love is more than a feeling — it’s about caring for others’ physical and spiritual needs. He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15) and commanded us to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34–35). He also emphasised the condition of the heart — “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Jesus spoke of eternal life often. In Matthew 25:46, He said, “The righteous [will go] into eternal life.”
He preached tirelessly in every village across Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. Historian Josephus recorded some 200 villages in Galilee. Jesus gave long intense effort because He wanted people to be saved.
Third, His miracles were powerful, public, and undeniable. Miracles weren’t just impressive acts — they were supernatural signs that proved He was sent by God. He calmed storms by speaking to the sea (Mark 4:39), healed a paralytic instantly (Matthew 9:1–8), and raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38–44). These weren’t delayed results — they were immediate. John 5:36 tells us, “The works that I do bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.”
Even His enemies acknowledged His miracles: “This Man works many signs” (John 11:47). The miracles served a purpose — they opened people’s hearts to listen to His teaching. They were a temporary confirmation of eternal truth. No one today can duplicate the miracles Jesus did. They were uniquely His and revealed His divine power.
Fourth, His cross was the most visible and powerful moment of all. Jesus didn’t just live for others — He died for us. The pain He endured was foretold hundreds of years earlier. Isaiah 53:4–5 describes Him as wounded, bruised, and whipped for our healing. Psalm 22:16–18 speaks of His hands and feet being pierced, His bones visible, and His garments divided by casting lots. The cross was painful, public, and purposeful. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Through the cross, we are reconciled to God. There is no other way — salvation cannot be bought, earned, or inherited. It is only through the blood of Jesus. And because of that, we must preach about the cross. Sing about the cross. Talk about the cross. “Jesus, keep me near the cross” isn’t just a song — it’s how we should live.
In the end, the question is simple: What are you doing with Jesus? He lived publicly so that we could follow Him confidently. He gave everything — His life, His love, His teaching — so that we could be saved. Salvation is offered freely by grace, but we must respond: by hearing and believing the gospel, repenting of our sins, confessing Jesus as Lord, being baptised to wash away our sins, and then living faithfully.
Jesus lived in the spotlight — what will you do with Him?
