The Top 11 Themes of Jesus - 2 - Jesus' Identity

In his season 3 podcast series, Cecil Taylor identifies and explores the Top 11 themes of Jesus, derived from the number of his mentions in the Gospels. Each month, Cecil will count down the themes toward the #1 theme.

This month’s episode is on the #2 theme, Jesus’s Identity. More than 60 times, Jesus identified or proclaimed who he is, either by direct statements, indirect statements, or by acknowledging what others said about him. It’s a question that is asked throughout the Gospels and is integral to our faith: who is Jesus?

In the first half of the podcast, Cecil walks through the vaguest references Jesus makes, through indirect and direct statements, up to proclamations that drew the ire of the religious authorities of the day. In the second half, Cecil shares portions of a longer interview with a Rabbi expert in Judaism and familiar with Christian scripture.

Rabbi Joseph Kolakowski is an Orthodox Hasidic Rabbi, affectionately known in his community as the Koblentzer Rebbe.  He previously served synagogues in Virginia and upstate New York, and currently serves as an associate Rabbi in a synagogue in upstate New York.  His main ministry work is multifaith chaplaincy.  He is the first Jewish chaplain to serve full-time in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, serving as Chaplaincy Program Director in a state prison in Pennsylvania.  He also works as a Jewish chaplain in a state mental hospital in upstate New York and has a traveling wedding ministry and is available as a public speaker.  He resides in upstate New York with his wife and 7 children.  His wife is also a chaplain and motivational speaker.

Scripture read in Cecil’s analysis in the first half of the podcast is found at: John 4: 25-26; Matthew 16:13-17; John 6:46; John 5:39-40; John 3:34-36; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 19:28-29; Matthew 25:31; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:30; Luke 18:8; Matthew 8:20; Mark 10:45; Luke 19:9-10; John 5:19-23; John 6:40; John 8:51-59; Mark 14:60-64.

You can learn more about Cecil at http://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com, at https://www.facebook.com/ceciltaylorministries ,  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciltaylor/ ,   and the Cecil Taylor Ministries YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP_khu3r77ubl5jvHsf5-w .

By registering as a free subscriber on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you’ll receive a free devotional guide, “30 Minutes Over 30 Days.” You’ll also receive his free monthly newsletter.

Cecil’s books and video studies are:

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide).

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (available Jan. 2024)

Upcoming books and video studies now in progress:

- “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (available Mar. 2024; now available for pre-sale)