Knowing Jesus…
For many, the name Jesus evokes a range of emotions and thoughts. He's a figure woven into the fabric of history, art, and culture. But for those who choose Him, knowing Jesus can be so much more than just acknowledging his existence. It's a journey of relationship, transformation, and discovering a love that surpasses understanding.
Knowing Jesus isn't about reciting scriptures or attending church services (though those can certainly be helpful). It's about a personal encounter, a heart-level connection that changes everything. It's about recognizing him not just as a historical figure, but as the Son of God, the Messiah, the one who offers forgiveness and new life.
What Does it Mean to Know Jesus?
Knowing Jesus is a process, a lifelong journey of deepening understanding and intimacy. It involves:
Understanding His Story: Exploring the Gospels, the accounts of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection, is crucial. It's here we see his teachings, his miracles, his compassion, and ultimately, his sacrifice for humanity. Reading these stories allows us to understand the depth of his love and the purpose of his coming. In your Bible, read any of these or all of them. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John comprise the Gospels of Jesus Christ.
Experiencing His Love: The core of knowing Jesus is experiencing his unconditional love. It's a love that forgives, heals, and restores. It's a love that meets us where we are, in our brokenness and imperfections, and offers us hope and redemption.
Following His Teachings: Jesus' teachings, found in the Sermon on the Mount and throughout the Gospels, provide a roadmap for living a life of purpose, love, and compassion. Following his teachings isn't about legalistic adherence to rules, but about allowing his love to transform our hearts and actions.
Communicating with Him: Prayer is the lifeline of our relationship with Jesus. It's through prayer that we can express our gratitude, our fears, our needs, and our love. It's a conversation with our Creator, a way to connect with the divine.
Experiencing His Presence: Knowing Jesus is not just an intellectual exercise; it's a spiritual one. It's about recognizing his presence in our lives, even in the midst of trials and challenges. It's about trusting that He is always with us, guiding and supporting us.
Why Bother?
In a world filled with uncertainty and searching, knowing Jesus offers a firm foundation, a source of unwavering hope. It provides:
Forgiveness and New Life: Jesus offers forgiveness for our sins and the opportunity to start afresh. He breaks the chains of guilt and shame and offers us a new life filled with purpose and meaning.
Peace that Surpasses Understanding: In the midst of chaos and turmoil, Jesus offers a peace that transcends our circumstances. It's a peace that comes from knowing that we are loved and cared for by the Creator of the universe.
Hope for the Future: Knowing Jesus gives us hope, not just for this life, but for eternity… the life to come. It's a hope that sustains us through difficult times and gives us a reason to keep going. It is this hope that has certainly helped me and my family grieve the loss of Aiden and my mom (in 2024). Our hope is certain based on what Jesus told us in John 14. He was going to prepare a place for us and He will come again for us so we can be with Him forever.
How Do I Start?
If you're curious about knowing Jesus, here are a few steps you can take:
Read the Gospel of John: This Gospel provides a beautiful and accessible introduction to Jesus' life and teachings.
Talk to a Christian: Find someone you trust who has a relationship with Jesus and ask them about their experience. If you don’t know any Christians, we would love to connect with you and help you on this journey. If you’re still not sure, visit a local church to get started.
Pray: Ask Him to reveal himself to you. Be open to his leading and guidance.
Accept: Our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, already know you and everything about you. They love you. They created you and planned for you to know them. They are just waiting for you to accept their love and the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins so we can have this relationship with them.
Knowing Jesus is the most incredible journey you can embark on. It's a journey of love, transformation, and discovering the true meaning of life. It's an invitation open to everyone, regardless of their background or past.
Are you ready to begin?
