If you want to know what God is truly like, look at Jesus — because Jesus is God’s clearest picture of Himself.
There is a saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In our desire to know God better, we can rejoice in the truth that God has given us a picture — and that picture is Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 1:15, “He is the image of the invisible God.” Though God is invisible to us, the life of Jesus allows us to see clearly what our Heavenly Father is like.
At the Last Supper (John 14:7–11), Philip asked Jesus to show the disciples the Father. Jesus answered, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Jesus was — and still is — the perfect representation of God. Through Him, the character and heart of God are revealed.
One of the greatest ways to know God better is simply to read the Gospels. As we learn about Jesus, we learn about God Himself.
Does God Have Feelings and Emotions?
Sometimes people imagine God as distant or unemotional. But Jesus shows us otherwise.
- Jesus had compassion — Matthew 9:36
- Jesus loved deeply — Mark 10:21
- Jesus wept — John 11:35
- Jesus experienced anger — Mark 3:5
- Jesus was grieved — Mark 3:5
- Jesus expressed desire — Luke 22:14
God is not cold or detached. He is a God of deep love and passionate compassion.
What Is God Like?
Jesus often used parables to help people understand God’s heart. One of the clearest examples is the parable of the father and his two sons (Luke 15:1–32).
From this story, we learn:
- God is generous (v.12)
- God longs for His children to come home (v.20)
- God rejoices and celebrates restoration (v.23)
- God is patient and faithful (v.31)
The Father in the story reflects the heart of God toward every person.
What Did Jesus Do in Church?
As a pastor, one question I often ask while reading the Gospels is: What did Jesus do when He went to church?
When Jesus entered places of worship:
- He taught with authority — Mark 1:22
- He healed the sick — Matthew 12:10
- He set people free from oppression — Luke 4:35
- He challenged human traditions to reveal God’s greater purpose — Matthew 12:12
- He passionately restored God’s original intent — Matthew 21:13
Jesus revealed that worship is meant to transform lives, not merely preserve tradition.
Jesus Reveals God’s Power
Jesus also demonstrated that God is a supernatural, prayer-answering, miracle-working God.
- He responded to needs — Mark 8:3
- He healed the sick — Matthew 9:35
- He set captives free — Acts 10:38
- He fed multitudes — Matthew 14:19
And He still works today, because God never changes (Hebrews 13:8).
What Have We Learned About God?
Through Jesus we discover that God is:
- Kind
- Compassionate
- Loving
- Gracious
- Patient
- Deeply interested in you
God has longings and desires — for a relationship with you.
Join the journey. Read the Gospels. Look at Jesus, and you will see your Heavenly Father.
Practical Application: Questions for Personal Growth
- What new aspect of God’s character do I see when I study the life of Jesus?
- Which emotion Jesus expressed helps me understand God’s heart toward me today?
- How can I intentionally spend time in the Gospels this week?
- Is there an area of my life where I need to trust that God is compassionate and patient?
- How can I reflect Jesus’ character to others in my daily interactions?
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