Knowing who Jesus Christ is
Day 15
by Gini Crawford, MSW
The Bible defines the true Jesus
It is very important that you know who the Jesus is that you are believing in (John 3:16). This is because, to be saved from your sins you need to believe in the Jesus of the Old Testament and the New Testament (the Bible). Be aware, if you believe in an unbiblical Jesus, even if you are religious or have good intentions, it won't give you eternal life. The guy that put in our fence was named Jesus, and he certainly couldn't save me from anything even though he was a great carpenter.
If you get to know Jesus through the Bible, you will know the Jesus Who can save you from your sins (Matthew 1:20-23). Other books can explain the true Jesus rightly, but only if their understanding comes from the Bible. Do you know the Jesus of the Bible or some fabricated idea of Him? Know the Bible and you will know your loving Savior Jesus!
The Jesus of the Bible is God
C. S. Lewis explained in his book Mere Christianity, "Jesus didn't leave it open for us to believe He is just a good man or a great moral teacher, because Jesus claimed to be God in the Gospels." I know some of you are struggling (probably right now) with Who Jesus is. Let me caution you not to try to fit Jesus into a feel good title such as a great moral teacher. You should either call Him God, because He claimed to be God, or you must think of Him as the wickedest liar in history or a narcissistic nut case, because He tells you He is God..
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works." John 14:9-10 ESV®
Jesus said in John 8:24, "I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins." Note that "I AM" is the One True God's proper name from Exodus 3:14. To put John 8:24 simply, Jesus is stating that if you reject that I am God, then you are rejecting the only hope to save you from your sins. (John 8:51-59, 14:1-7).
The reality is only God, Who our sin is against, has the power, ability and prerogative to forgive and save us from our sin (Psalm 51:4). Think about it, only the Creator of our existence would have the power to restore us from spiritual death taking away our eternal punishment, and giving us eternal life by His sacrifice – a created being cannot do this.
If you don't believe that Jesus is God, then you do not believe in the Jesus of the Bible. If you are struggling with Jesus being God, then sincerely ask Him to show you He is God. Reflect on these passages that highlight Jesus as God: Isaiah 9:6 and Colossians 1:13-22.
Knowing Jesus
Jesus said "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." / And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. John 17:3; 1 John 5:20 ESV®
Knowing the true Jesus is receiving the promise of eternal life. Knowing Jesus bridges the chasm created by our sin allowing us to live in His loving embrace as His children now and throughout eternity (Ephesians 1:3-5). Knowing Jesus transforms us into His image as we live our life for Him (2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:13-16). The wonderful consummation of knowing Jesus will be life eternal with our loving God (Psalm 16:11; Ephesians 2:4-7; Jude 24-25).
A Christian Club was started in a country that wasn't friendly to Christianity. One hundred and ten children came to the first meeting and got to hear about Jesus. Many children went home after the first meeting talking about Jesus to their parents. A police officer arrived at the second meeting to close it down until he heard about Jesus from the kids. The knowledge of Jesus has amazing effects, doesn't it?
Life Application
Be blessed by knowing Jesus Christ
In Matthew chapter sixteen, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am"? Peter answers, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus responds by saying that Peter was blessed by knowing Who He is. You will be blessed too if you take the time to really know Who Jesus is.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 16:13-17 ESV®
Peter, one of Jesus' Apostles, appears to be among the first in the Gospels to grasp that Jesus was the Christ – the long-awaited Messiah. The title "Christ" is synonymous with "Messiah" or "the Anointed One." The Messiah would fulfill the Old Testament promises of salvation, being more than human, God Himself. For some fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah/Christ from the Bible, read Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 52:13 - 53:12, 61:1-3; Daniel 9:25-26; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:41-42, 4:25-26. Write down some insights about the Messiah/Christ from these passages.
Focus on Jesus, the One True God. Realizing He wants you to know Him because He loves you and wants you to have eternal life. 1 John 5:20 says, "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." Allow God's Word to teach your mind and heart the beautiful truths about Him. Stay in communication with Him through silent and spoken prayers—trusting in Him with all your heart instead of leaning on the worlds views about Him. He is your loving God.
Reflect on John 17:3.