Have you ever been in the presence of someone who spoke such wisdom and truth that you felt the need to take notes? A couple of weekends ago, I visited some dear people who have known me since I was a child. I hadn’t seen this couple for a long time but like grandparents they welcomed me in with such love and care. As I talked with them, I basked in their love and their love for Jesus. That night I just listened. I listened to them tell stories of Jesus and his faithfulness, I listened to the Holy Spirit speak through both of them.
They asked me to talk about the World Race. I started telling them about the stories from training camp, what I have been learning, how God has been faithful in providing and what God has done for me. Then Jim said something that I had not realized. He said that he noticed that I said ‘God’ a lot. “Where is Jesus?” he asked.
I had to pause – when had I stopped saying the name Jesus?
He said that he believed in God but God has given ALL authority to Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15: 27-28 “For God has put everything under his feet. Now when it says “everything” is put under him, it is obvious that he who puts everything under him is the exception.” ‘It is obvious’ that the Father God is not under the Son of God – but it is only through the Son of God, Jesus, that we can approach the Father. They reminded me of the Old Testament and the priests. Only once a year and only after all the necessary sacrifices were completed to cover the sins of the priest and the nation could a priest enter the Holy of Holies. When you read about people in the Old Testament entering the presence of God – there is trepidation and a great awareness of their ruin. (Isaiah 6)
BUT just like how the seraphim touches Isaiah’s mouth with a glowing coal and atones for his sin (or like the sacrifices that the priests made), God sends His one and only Son to remove and atone for our sin. It is only THROUGH and IN Jesus that we have access to the Father and have the right to be called a child of God. IN JESUS, we are clean and made new. Only IN Jesus may we know the Father. John 14:7 “If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” It’s our relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior that we have life, power and restoration. Only in Jesus, it is finished.
Jim told me, “you need a little more Jesus.”
So he asked me to say the name Jesus.
It sounds so easy but when he asked me to just say the name of Jesus, this fear and doubt came bubbling up in my heart. I hadn’t even realized that it was there holding power over me. There was a part of me that longed to proclaim His name but another more fearful part of me was struggling.
With tears, I say, “JESUS”.
Say it again.
After saying His name several times, this peace settled into my heart. (Later the song, Tremble started playing in my mind – Thank you, Jesus.)
I started this blog with a different focus in mind and there is so much more that I learned that night…but Jesus took over.
So the question that is burning in my heart: Where is Jesus in your life?
Do you believe in God? That’s awesome – but even the demons believe and tremble. Do you know God? Jesus said, that “no one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. Jesus is the True Shepherd. Jesus is the Light. Jesus is Life. (John 14-16)
Dear friend, meet Jesus. Call out to Him. Say His name. Jesus is there waiting for an intimate relationship with you. Jesus wants you. He sees you. Jesus wants to conquer all the fear, doubt and unbelief. Be open to Him. Give Jesus space in your life to work. Let go of the walls.
Dear Jesus, continue your work in me. Make me an open space for You. I take one step forward then run three steps back – but Jesus I know You never let go. Jesus, open my eyes and my ears to You today. I pray for the ones who read this – that Your Spirit will speak to them.
Amen.
