If you are a parent, you’ve probably come across the popular children’s book series, “Who Was…?” They are middle grade biographies of hundreds of historical figures including: Who was Abraham Lincoln? Who Was Julius Caesar? Who Was Mother Theresa? There is even one called, Who Was Jesus?
We have not read that one in our house. However, the description on the series’ website says: “It [the book] presents young readers with a biography that covers what is known historically about Jesus and places in his life in the context of his world when Jerusalem was part of the Roman Empire.”
In my senior year of college, I took a theology course called The Historical Jesus. Without a lengthy discourse, suffice it to say that I am quite surprised that this course didn’t single handedly kill my very fragile faith. Only by the grace of God!
[Side note: I suspect that Satan had his hand in the fact that I was in that course, because I was pursuing and searching for Truth. So what easier way to derail a searching soul than lead them to a course that would muddle and confuse and encourage doubt. But, I digress]
So, who was Jesus, anyway? Well, first of all. We should change our verb tense from ‘was’ to ‘is.’ Who is Jesus? Well, even though there are things that we can know about him, I have another question for you.
Does knowing about a person give us any better knowledge of the person?
Here’s what I mean. Think of a person in your life whom you love, be it a spouse, a best friend, a child, a parent. It doesn’t matter who, but it should be someone in your life that you would want to tell others about. So let’s take a spouse as an example.
I can tell you, my readers, all about my husband. My husband is John. He is 41 years old and was raised in Brooklyn. He played soccer and baseball in his youth. Now, he is a dedicated soccer coach. He chose a career within the finance world because he’s great with numbers. Also, he’s a people person and is incredibly witty.
Now, I just told you a bunch of details about my husband. Are you any closer to actually knowing my husband?
No! You have a general idea of what he might be like. Maybe my brief description of him has piqued your curiosity. And because you know me, in some fashion, and perhaps you trust my judgment, you think that maybe John is someone whom you’d like to get to know.
Yet, you can’t actually know him unless you meet him, spend time with him and develop a friendship with him.
Ok. Let’s assume you haven’t met John. So far all you have is a general idea about him. Now, let’s assume your friend Judas knows John and has something against him. Judas now tells you about a time when he and John had a disagreement and Judas felt that John was rude and inconsiderate. (That’s a stretch, since he’s nothing but likable, but work with the analogy here.)
Well, now your view of John is somewhat clouded, isn’t it? Now you’re doubting if whether what I told you is true. Maybe I have a skewed vision because he’s my husband and I love him. How can John be a witty, people person and be rude and inconsiderate? It’s confusing.
In a way, that’s what that college course did to me. I didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. I was pretty sure I wanted one, but I didn’t actually know Him.
But that course called into question everything that I thought I knew about Jesus.
And I’m talking serious things, heretical things, like: Is it possible that Jesus was a just a social activist and that He was not actually divine? And is it probable that Mary, the Mother of God, subsequently had more children after Jesus? And is it reasonable to think that Jesus was actually married? (All of these questions are directly contrary to the faith. Follow the links to learn more about the specific dogmas and beliefs of our faith.)
Also, quick pause: I am not saying we should not question, investigate, and learn about the beliefs of faith. However, I didn’t have even the basic knowledge of our faith to understand what was true. You know, like, the Creed. So, you could see why these doubts might derail a very new and very fragile faith.
Anyway, back to you and your friend Judas, who has now convinced you that maybe you don’t want to befriend John. So, now comes a day when you run into me and John. And instead of being excited to finally meet this wonderful person about whom I always speak fondly, now you’re a little wary. That wariness causes you to be a little distant and unwelcoming, and you’re left with the feeling that John is not at all how I described him. And in the end, you don’t become friends with John (your loss, btw!).
So, anyhow….do I have a point in all this? Yes, indeed I do, despite my rambling.
If you are reading this blog, it’s safe to say that you know about Jesus.
I keep telling you lots of things about Him. Perhaps at this point, you’re curious, maybe excited to get to know Him better (Hooray!).
But then there’s also the “Judases” of the world telling you that Jesus isn’t all you think He is. Maybe they’ve told you that Jesus is a harsh judge out to condemn you. Maybe others have made Jesus seems like a sweet pushover with no application in your life. Maybe Jesus is just too serious for your liking. Substitute any negative thing you’ve been told or believe about Jesus.
When we believe any of these lies, it is because we don’t KNOW Jesus.
Someone could state something negative that they’ve heard about my husband. However, because I am the one with the personal, intimate relationship with John, I KNOW what is true and what is not. That person’s opinion will not undermine my relationship with John because of our relationship.
The same is true of me and Jesus.
What another person may or may not think, feel or believe about Jesus will not undermine my relationship with Jesus, precisely because of our personal relationship.
And this is my point, FINALLY!
It is not enough to know about Jesus. We must know Jesus, on a personal, intimate level.
Quickly – what’s the first description that you think of when I ask you, who is Jesus? (Seriously pause for moment and think) Who is Jesus?
I’m willing to bet that most of you thought: Son of God, Lord, Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, or something similar.
Similarly, I am willing to bet that the first thing most of you thought was not: my Love, my Friend, my Comfort, my Companion, my Peace.
Because here’s the deal. If we have an impersonal relationship with God, it’s easier to view him as this lofty, far off idea of Savior. Of course, He is that, first and foremost! But that’s not all He is. Far from it.
But if we have a personal relationship with Him, we can describe Him both as our Savior and as the Love of our heart, our best Friend.
So my challenge to you, if you’ve gotten this far, is to take a few minutes and really look at the relationship that you have with Jesus.
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?
You know what that should look like. Take any close relationship in your life and compare it to what you have with Jesus. What is unique about each close relationship you have? And do you share those things in a relationship with Jesus too? If not, what is holding you back?
I am telling you, Jesus is so worth knowing! A relationship with Him will change your life!
And I want to do my best to tell you all about Him! I want to help you get to know Jesus, the Love of my heart, more deeply.
For a long time, I struggled to figure out how to develop a relationship with Jesus. But on the bright side, because of that struggle, I think I can help others! I’d like to start a series on the blog telling you about who Jesus is, as far as my limited abilities will permit, and also helping you to understand what a relationship with Him is like.
So, do you feel like your relationship with Jesus is too impersonal? And if so, what do you need to move closer to Him? What are your specific struggles? Email me, or message me on Instagram or Facebook. I’d love to know, so I can directly address readers concerns and questions. So please, please, please reach out!
P.S. – Don’t believe Judas. My husband is a really awesome human being, who is definitely worth knowing, though he’s not quite as amazing as Jesus. Sorry, John.
