KNOWING JESUS
// JESUS //
WHO IS JESUS
The questions we like to ask about God are endless: “Is God real?” “Is what we know about Him really true?” and “What does He have to do with my life?” …to list just a few.
The Bible may not answer every question about God – and could even lead us to ask more – but one of the areas the Bible answers clearly is the question: Who is Jesus?
Jesus appreciated the Apostle Peter’s answer to this question. He said Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16), because Jesus knew that who He is – has the power to change our lives. Jesus is so unique because He was showing us of how we can live in two worlds: Heaven and Earth, the divine and the human.
When Jesus went to heal the man with legions of demons, the demons in the man recognised who Jesus really was. The possessed man spoke “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!”. In short, even the enemy could recognise and confess “Who Jesus was and is? The old testament talks about the coming messiah from Genesis to Malachi.
Jesus’ name is the name above all names. He is a star-breathing, storm-calming, miracle-working God and there is none like Him. Yet, He is seated in the right hand of Father representing all mankind interceding on our behalf. He calls us His friends and who knows what we are going through and cares about us. That’s why the Bible also calls Him “Immanuel”, God with us.
JESUS IS WAITING FOR YOU!
Does Jesus look forward for your return into His family?
Yes, He does!How do we know this?
Often we disqualify ourselves from God’s love because of our history, our failures and our shortcomings. Sin has separated us from God and we can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works.
In the story of the prodigal son, we can observe how the father was eagerly waiting for his son’s return. As soon as the father saw his son coming from afar, he ran to him, kissed him and welcomed him home with a great celebration.
So how can we accept what we have not earned? The Bible says that nothing in all of creation can separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. And to accept God’s love is to trust His patient, forgiving and gracious stance towards us. Only He has the power to free us from guilt, shame and condemnation, to give us a life of wholeness. All we have to do is turn to Him.
A NEW BEGINNING
To be made whole, or to be saved, is to submit to God and His plan and purpose for our lives. It is a turning from our old ways and turning to Jesus, to ask Him for forgiveness from our sins and to give us new life in Him. Romans 10:9 says: “If you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Salvation is God’s free gift to us and we become His children. It is an irrevocable acceptance into the family of God and it is an empowerment to live life wholly and fully with the purpose of reflecting God to the rest of His creation. If you are not sure whether you are right with God or you know in fact that you need Jesus in your life, you can choose to follow Him right now by praying a prayer of surrender to Jesus.
Dear Jesus, I’m praying this prayer because I know that I have sinned and lived life on my terms. I am sorry and I trust that You will forgive me. I accept Your love and grace for me and ask that You would be my Lord. Help me believe in You and love You every day, and help me to show the world what You are like and how great Your love is.In Jesus’ name, amen.