WHO IS THIS JESUS

John 1:1 - 5

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 

Does life have you going in circles? Do you ever find yourself going around and around searching for meaning and fulfillment in different areas, but never seeming to arrive at an intended location? If this is you, I want to tell you more about the One who says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” When you link up with Jesus – He will take you to your purpose. He will guide you to your destiny.

WHO IS THIS JESUS?

GET TO KNOW JESUS

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. (John 1:1) Jesus Christ did not make His debut on that first Christmas morning in Bethlehem. He existed before creation “in the beginning.” In fact, it was “through Him” that “all things were made.” (John 1:3) Even when we look back to the book of Genesis, we read that God said, “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26) referencing the presence of Christ. The Word John speaks of as he opens his Gospel presentation is none other than Jesus Christ. We know this because later, in verse 14, John tells us, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Imagine the depth of that reality. The Word, who is God, came down to dwell among us. Jesus walked among us. He was flesh, bones, sinew and blood, and yet He was also the perfection of the divine. At one moment He was hungry because He was fully human. The next moment, He miraculously fed 5,000 because He was fully God. One moment Jesus agonized on a cross and died because He was fully human. Three days later, He rose from the grave because He was fully God. We read, “God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him.” (Colossians 1:19)

Without Jesus, we would have no chance of understanding God. “No one has ever seen God, but the only begotten Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” (John 1:18) How does God make Himself known? Through Jesus. To understand and know Jesus is to understand and know God. Philip had been one of Jesus’ disciples for almost three years when he came up with an interesting request. “Show us the Father,” he said, “and that will be enough for us.” (John 14:8) Jesus’ answer puts His question in perspective. “Don’t you know me Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Jesus took everything there is to know about God and put it on a shelf that we could reach. He is the complete revelation of God Himself. That’s why you can’t go around Jesus and get to God. He is the only begotten Son. Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius . . . no prophet, teacher or king can make that claim. “I am the way and the truth and the life,” Jesus says, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) GET TO KNOW JESUS

THE WONDER OF HIS NAME

Today, when we choose names for our children, we sometimes base our selection on how that name sounds. A first name that rolls off the tongue nicely when combined with the last name is a popular option for many moms and dads. In biblical times, however, parents cared less about the sound of a name as they did about its meaning. A name was more than simply nomenclature. It was, rather, a replica and revelation of the individual or thing itself.

A name is so important in biblical settings that there are frequent mentions throughout Scripture of God Himself changing someone’s name to reflect a new reality. Abram, which means “exalted father,” was changed to Abraham meaning “exalted father of multitudes.” Jacob, whose original name meant “grabber of the heel” and “deceitful,” had his name changed to Israel after wrestling with God. His new name, Israel, means “one who prevails.” In the book of Hosea, God changed the names of Hosea’s son and daughter to signify the change in His relationship with them from Lo-Ammi meaning “not my people” and Lo Ruhamma meaning “not-pitied”and to Ammi and Ruhamma which means “my people” and “one who is shown compassion.” In Scripture, a name often both denoted and connoted purpose, authority, makeup, and ownership. It was frequently seen as an actual equivalency of a person or thing. When Jesus said that He had made God’s “name known to them, and will make it known…,” He was referencing more than just sounds put together in a word. Jesus, having come to earth in the flesh, unveiled God’s heart, mind, will, character, and being through the revelation of His name. Whether used as shem in Hebrew or as onoma in Greek, the translated word that shows up over 1,000 times in Scripture that we call “name” routinely carries with it power, responsibility, purpose and authority. A name not only expresses the essence and significance of the being or thing, a name – when duly authorized – accesses the capacity intrinsic within it.

When the angel Gabriel visited Mary to foretell the birth of the Messiah, he instructed Mary that she should call the baby Jesus because that name meant that He would save His people from their sins. Jesus is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament name Joshua which means “salvation.” Jesus has other names as well. While they are not literal names you would use in conversation, they are descriptive names assigned to Him that give us insight into His character and mission. Look at Isaiah 9:6: “and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Let’s work through these names individually. THE WONDER OF HIS NAME

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

When members of a congregation go to the pastor for counseling, the quality of the advice they receive may depend on the kind of day the pastor is having. People often go to counseling expecting that perfect pearl of wisdom that will immediately solve their problems and put their life instantly in order. Unfortunately, pastors are human and may not hit the bull’s eye 100% percent of the time. That’s what makes Jesus such a wonderful counselor. His perspective is infinite; His resources unlimited. His experience includes a lifetime on earth during which He experienced the same trials and temptations we face. Who could be better qualified to offer us guidance and direction? WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

MIGHTY GOD

The Hebrew word used here literally means “hero.” Our society is suffering from a tragic lack of heroes - those who have traditionally inspired others to reach beyond their limits and seek the best in themselves and those around them. Heroes silently challenge others to follow in their footsteps. And there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as those footsteps lead in the right direction. Human heroes of all kinds have disappointed us by failing to deliver on their promises. Jesus, on the other hand, never fails. He is God in the flesh. He is faithful. All the power of creation stands behind His promise to provide and care for us. MIGHTY GOD

EVERLASTING FATHER

Have you ever spent time pondering where God came from? Don’t. After you’ve gone back as far as you can imagine, you’re no closer to the origin of God than when you started. “Everlasting” means forever. There is no beginning. There is no end. The fact is that God never did arrive. He has always been here. That can be mind-numbing for us as finite, temporal human beings. That’s why many have concluded that it’s too hard to believe so they settle on evolution instead.

Yet evolutionists confuse me. They say they can’t believe in an eternal God. But they have no trouble believing that nothing plus nothing results in something. They readily conclude that, way back when, one kind of substance accidently collided with another and resulted in a big bang. That theory can be destroyed with a simple question: Who created the the substance that made the big bang? Rather, God transcends time and also penetrates time and space to make Himself known to us through Jesus Christ. And He has done this, and will do this, forever. EVERLASTING FATHER

PRINCE OF PEACE

Humanity wants peace desperately. Rulers will sit around tables and negotiate for peace. They will pay any price and make any compromise for peace. If that fails, they are even willing to go to war to get peace. The truth is, few of us even understand peace. Many of us wouldn’t recognize it if we saw it. This is because we are so frequently unsettled within. James understood the nature of our discontentment. He said, Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2  You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3  You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.(James 4:1-2 NKJV) In Jesus, we have an alternative to this life-long struggle. Paul the Apostle discovered this truth, enabling him to make this declaration: (Philippians 4:11-13) 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.. Most of us believe that peace is the absence of conflict. Yet Jesus gives us so much more. He promises peace that transcends our circumstances. It invades the inevitable conflicts that arise in living a life in the midst of a sinful creation. It makes perfect sense to be at peace when all is well. But Jesus who is the Prince of Peace promises us a peace that overcomes our trials. (Philippians 4:7)And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. PRINCE OF PEACE

From the beginning of the world to its end, there is no place you can look and not see Jesus. He is everywhere. He is everything. “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17) The most unique person in human history - God in the flesh - deserves the highest place on our list of priorities. He should be our everything. As the earth revolves around the sun, so should Christ be the center of our existence. Knowing Him intimately and personally will radically change your life. Knowing about Him won’t do much good. For example, I know about the President. I can tell you his name. I can even tell you his address. I can tell you some information that I’ve learned about him from the enternet and television reports. But that hardly qualifies me to say that I know him.

In order to truly know Jesus Christ, you must experience Him personally. You must abide with Him. Hang out in His presence. Discover what brings Him pleasure. Get to feel His heartbeat. Explore what He wants to do with, in and through you When you give all of you to all of Him, He is there returning all of Him to all of you. The power that created the universe is the same power that can strengthen you to grow, change, and to experience unspeakable satisfaction.

Jesus has a plan for you. He has a purpose. He has a path. If you want to know your purpose, then get to know the One who knows it best. The closer you get to Jesus, the closer you are to experiencing and fulfilling your destiny. You only get one life. Don’t spend it going in circles. Make it count. Make it matter. Because you matter to Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Follow Jesus and you will find your way.