The Bible is absolutely filled with revelation about who Jesus is. God tells us at least twelve times himself who Jesus is. He doesn't just speak up during that one lonely account of Jesus' baptism.
Jesus also tells us at least 20 times who he is... and these are just the examples given to us by our preacher. I assume there are more than just 20 revelations of who Jesus says he is in the Bible.
Our preacher went on to challenge us if we knew who Jesus was. So many people believe that they are right with God, but that they don't really need Jesus. People say they don't know who Jesus is, but that they are very spiritual- God speaks to them in many ways, except through his Son.
People believe that the story of Jesus is a good one, but that it doesn't really apply to their lives. I like the story of the Chronicles of Narnia. I want my children to read it, and know it and love the characters in it, just like me. But their love for the story does not change or effect their lives. My love for the story does not change or affect my life, and your love for the story does not change or affect your life either.
At what point are we saved? When we love the story of Jesus Christ coming to die on the cross for our sins and resurrecting as our perfect atonement, or when we allow that story to transform our lives forever?
1 John 2:23a says, "No one who denies the Son has the Father."
Do you deny the Son? Is Jesus Christ a real, contributing, essential part of your life, or is he just part of a good story? Does his presence in your life change the way you live? Loving Jesus should change the way we live every day. It should be the guiding force in every single daily decision we make.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, ' I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
Matthew 7:21-23
Who do YOU say that Jesus is?
