All About Jesus

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation ..." Colossians 1:15-20

 
Not too long ago, I found myself in a mad search for my identity. It wasn't that I needed to go find myself or that I had amnesia of some kind. It was a search for the physical evidence that proved I am who I say I am. My new driver's license required a birth certificate, a social security card, and some kind of picture ID. It was a chore. I had to go through all kinds of papers. I had to make repeated calls to ask if this piece of evidence was sufficient. What a hassle! However, I received my new license which allows me freedoms that I value highly. It was worth it.  

 
As Paul prepared his readers for the rest of this particular letter, he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to provide them and us with one of the most powerful and detailed revelations regarding the identity of Jesus. He wanted to reassure everyone who had put their trust in Jesus that they had made the best decision of their lives. The stakes couldn't be any higher. If we get confused about who he is, we will be off track regarding all things divine from the very start. It is his person that establishes the significance of his work. 
 
If we say, "I believe in Jesus!" just what exactly are we saying? How would you define "I"? What about "believe in"? Finally, perhaps most importantly, "Jesus"? Each part has to be explained for the confession to have any meaning and significance for this life and the life to come. We can't allow what might feel like a laborious process to be avoided for one more day. So many of our struggles in life can be traced to a truth shortage. That's part of the reason why Paul gave this revelation. Read it. Study it. Talk about it. It's time for all of us to meet the real Jesus.  

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tested

"He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do." John 6:1-13 Test day. I remember all too well the feelings of discomfort connected to that expression from my school days. I was so thankful the last time I had to take one. Tests felt so much like a cruel game of, "Guess What I'm Thinking?" with the author of the test. During one particularly grueling test, I noticed one of my classmates cheating like there was no tomorrow. Predictably, he aced it and I let's just say, didn't. It occurred to me later that I was actually being tested in two different ways that day. By God's grace alone, I passed them both. Philip was in the hot seat that day. Jesus, out of the twelve disciples, decided to single him out for testing. From all appearances, there was a massive resource shortage. Five thousand men plus women and children all hungry up against whatever money Judas had in the money bag. Philip was apparently incredulous as he emphaticall
Read more

Nothing Left

"'What do you mean what's the matter?' Micah replied. 'You've taken away all the gods I have made, and my priest, and I have nothing left!" Judges 17, 18 Unaware of some purchases that my wife had made earlier in the day, I didn't even hesitate to use my debit card at the checkout line. However, our bank was fully aware of all those purchases as well as the one I was attempting to make at the present moment. Clearly, the math didn't add up. Something from nothing is something less than nothing and that, as it turns, is frowned upon by our aforementioned bank. In short, the bank told the merchant there was nothing left and the merchant told me, "Declined." Micah was one panicked individual. His personal little self-directed and self-centered religion was coming apart at the seams. He had idols. He had priests. He had a shrine and even a sacred ephod (a priestly garment). All this, he thought, secured the LORD's blessing. When the warri
Read more

Who is Jesus?

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15, 16 NIV) What are your thoughts about Jesus? Every major religion on earth has an opinion on who he was. Mostly they say that he was a good man, a powerful teacher, and a peacemaker. All of that is true. But what about him being the Son of God? Peter, after being with Jesus non-stop for 4 years was confident of his identity. He was assured that Jesus was God in the flesh, the Messiah that was to come. You essentially have three options when it comes to what you believe about Jesus: 1) He was a Liar 2) He was a Lunatic (out of his mind) 3) Or that He was Lord If he was, and is, Lord, then he deserves our worship and our entire lives. If Jesus is Lord, it is true that we have access to God by His sacrifice on the cross. Join us Friday night at 7, as we reflect on Jesus going to the cross for the sins of the entire world (Good Frida
Read more