For your meditation I submit the following verses from the HFV [Freed Hardeman Version, 4th ed.] about JESUS.

"Some of the Greeks who had come to worship at the feast went to Philip (of Bethsaida in Galilee), asking, 'Sir, we want to see Jesus.'" "No other name under heaven is given among men by which we must be saved." "I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

"Have this mind in you, which also was in Christ Jesus. Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal to God something to be held on to, but he emptied himself. He took the form of a slave, being made in the likeness of men, and, having been found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross."

"Therefore, God exalted him to the loftiest height. He gave him a name above every name, so that every knee in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth, should bend at Jesus' name, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the praise of God the Father."

"My heart overflows with a pleasant subject: I speak of the things ... touching the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer."

"Give ear, you heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. My doctrine will drop as the rain, my speech will distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the plants."

"The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until the Peacemaker comes, and him the peoples will obey." "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and they will call his name Immanuel." "And ... Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of his government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forever more. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this."

"Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he will grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; he has no form or comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him."

"He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their faces. He was despised, and we esteemed him not."

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we considered him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastening for our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all."

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth."

"He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people was he stricken."

"And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death. He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth."

"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he put him to grief. Though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand."

"He will see the travail of his soul, and will be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities."

"Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he will divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his life to death, and was numbered with the transgressors. He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

"To you who reverence my name the Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings."

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created by him, and without him nothing was created. Life was in him, and the Life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not put it out."

"Jesus Christ was born in this manner: Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, but before they married, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiance (being honorable, and not wanting to disgrace her), decided to break the engagement quietly. However, while he was thinking about the problem, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to marry Mary, your fiancee, because her conception is by the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'"

"In those days Caesar Augustus ordered that a census be taken of the inhabited earth. This was first done when Quirinius was the governor of Syria. All were enrolled, each in his own city. Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of David's family) to be enrolled with Mary his fiancee, who was expecting."

"While they were there, the time came for her to give birth, and she delivered her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling-cloths, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the inn."

"In that region shepherds were staying out in the fields, keeping watch at night over their flocks. The Lord's angel appeared to them, and the Lord's glory shone around them, and they were much afraid. The angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news with great joy to all people. Today in David's city a Savior is born, Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling-cloths, and lying in a feeding trough.' Suddenly, with the angel, a multitude from heaven was praising God, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth peace among men of good will.'"

"When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.' King Herod heard this, and was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. He gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, and was asking them where the Christ was to be born. They replied, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for so the prophet has written, "You, Bethlehem-Judah, are by no means the least among the rulers of Judea, for from you a ruler will come who will be a shepherd for my people Israel.'"

"Herod then secretly sent for the wise men, and, having learned precisely what time the star appeared, sent them to Bethlehem, saying, 'Go and search diligently for the child, and when you find him, let me know, that I also may go and worship him.'"

"Those who had heard the king departed, and the star which they had seen in the east went before them until it stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed, and entered the house, and saw the child with Mary his mother. They fell down, and worshiped him. Then they opened their packages and presented gifts to him, gold and frankincense and myrrh. They received a divine message in a dream not to return to Herod, and departed to their own country by another road."

"After they had gone, the Lord's angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, 'Arise, take the child and his mother and go to Egypt.' He took the child and his mother and by night went to Egypt. They stayed there until Herod died. In this way that which had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet was fulfilled, 'Out of Egypt I called my son.'"

"The child grew and became strong, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Each year his parents went to the Passover feast at Jerusalem. When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. After the days were completed and they returned, the child Jesus stayed in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know. They thought he was in the caravan, and went a day's journey. After a search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, continuing to look for him."

"Three days later they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and answers."

"They saw him and were astonished. His mother said to him, 'Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I have sought you sorrowly.' He answered, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I must be about my Father's business?' They did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. He went down with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them, and his mother kept all of these events in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and height and in favor with God and men."

"In those days John the immerser came preaching in the Judean wilderness, saying, 'Change your hearts, for heaven's kingdom has drawn near.' John was the one spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the Lord's way! Make his paths straight!'"

"John was wearing a leather belt and a garment of camel's hair. His food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the area around the Jordan were going out to him, and were being immersed by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins."

"Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be immersed by him. But John tried to prevent him, saying, 'I need for you to immerse me, and do you come to me?' Jesus replied, 'Permit it now, for it is proper in our fulfilling all righteousness.' Then John consented.

"After the immersion, Jesus immediately came up from the water, and look! The heavens were opened to him, and he saw God's Spirit like a dove coming down on him, and a voice out of heaven was saying, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'"

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he had fasted 40 days and nights he was famished. The tempter came and challenged him, 'If you are God's Son, command these rocks to become bread.' Jesus' reply was, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God's mouth.'"

"The devil then took him into the holy city, and placed him on the summit of the temple, and said, 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "He will command his angels in your behalf," and they will catch you in their hands and you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"

"Jesus answered, 'Again it is written, "You shall not test the Lord your God."'

"Further, the devil took him to the top of a very high mountain and showed him all the world's kingdoms and their glory, and said, 'I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.' Jesus answered, 'Go away, Satan, for it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve."' Then the devil went away, while angels came and were serving Jesus."

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and infirmity among the people."

"Jesus noticed the crowds, and went up into a mountain. He sat down, and his disciples came to him, and he began to teach: 'Blessed are they who are poor in spirit, for heaven's kingdom is theirs. Blessed are the ones who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the ones who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called God's children. Blessed are those who are persecuted for being righteous, for heaven's kingdom is theirs. Blessed are you when they insult and persecute you, and lie, and say every evil thing against you because of me. Be full of joy and celebrate, because your reward in heaven is great. In this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'"

"All the tax collectors and sinners came near to hear him. However, the Pharisees and the scribes complained, saying, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.' He replied to them with this parable, saying, 'Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it upon his shoulder, and rejoices. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, exclaiming, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep which was lost!' I assure you that, in the same way, there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who changes his heart, more than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to change their hearts.'"

"Jesus went into the regions of Caesarea Philippi, and asked his disciples, 'Who do men say that I am?' They replied, 'Some say that you are, indeed, John the immerser; and others, Elijah; yet others, Jeremiah; or one of the prophets.' He asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"

"Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah. Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my heavenly Father. And I say to you, that you are Peter [Petros, a small rock], but upon this foundation-rock [petra] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of heaven's kingdom. What you bind on the earth will have been bound in heaven, and what you release on the earth will have been released in heaven.' Then he gave orders that the disciples should tell no one that he was the Christ."

"From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day to be raised. But Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, 'May God in his mercy spare you this, Lord! Never, never will this happen to you.' However, Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a cause of stumbling to me, because you are not thinking about the things of God, but the things of men.'"

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any one wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What will a man be profited if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? The Son of man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will give to each one according to his work. Indeed, I assure you, some standing here will not taste of death until they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.'"

"The disciples did as Jesus had instructed and prepared the Passover... . During the meal Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and handed it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat. This is my body.' Then he took a cup, gave thanks, passed it to them, and said, 'All of you drink of it, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many to obtain the forgiveness of sins. I assure you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.' They sang a hymn and went out to the mount of Olives."

"The governor's soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters, and gathered around him the whole regiment. They removed his clothes and put on him a soldier's scarlet coat. They wove a crown of thorns, placed it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. Then they bowed before him, and mocked him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' They spit on him. They took the reed and struck him on the head. Then they removed the coat, replaced his clothes, and led him away to be crucified."

"Passersby shouted insults, wagging their heads, saying, 'You, the one who destroys the temple and rebuilds it in three days, save yourself! If you are God's Son, come down from the cross.'" "In the same way the thieves were heaping insults on him. From noon until three o'clock all the land was dark. About three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, Lema sabachthani (that is, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')" "Jesus, crying again with a loud voice, yielded his spirit. The veil in the temple was torn in two parts from the top to the bottom, the earth shook, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many of the saints who had died were raised."

"The centurion and those with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, were greatly frightened, and said, 'Indeed, this man was a son of a god.' Many women, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, who had served him, were there watching from afar. Among these were Mary of Magdala and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. At evening a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, a disciple of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate commanded that it be given him. He took the body and wrapped it in a pure linen cloth. He placed it in his new tomb (which had been cut in rock), and rolled a large stone to the door, and departed. Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were sitting over against the tomb."

"After the sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary came to the tomb. There was a great earthquake, and the angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled away the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow. The guards trembled with fear and were like dead men. The angel spoke to the women, 'Do not be afraid. I know you are seeking Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! He has been raised, even as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying. Go quickly and tell his disciples that he has been raised from the dead. He will go before you into Galilee, and you will see him there. This is my message to you.'"

"Later he appeared to the eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and stubbornness of heart, because they did not believe the ones who had seen him after he had arisen. He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is immersed shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned.'"

"The eleven disciples went into Galilee to a mountain, as Jesus had instructed. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. Jesus came to them, and said, 'All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, immersing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and remember I will be with you always, even to the end of the world.'"

"After the Lord had spoken, he was received into heaven, and sat at God's right hand. They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the message by the signs that were following."