Just Jesus
I have been dialing into what Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 2. He says,
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Christ and Him crucified.”
As I mentioned in my last post, Paul was writing here to a group of people that were still figuring things out. They were new in the faith or they just had not matured. Either way Paul says they were, “still worldly–mere infants in Christ.” (Chapter 3:1) They had some problems with sexual immorality, envy, disunity, and other things. They were walking as they used to.
So there they were receiving Paul the Apostle’s letter. They had just come to the faith. They were having many issues and they had much difficulty overcoming them. But they had hope. They were sure Paul would have some insight for them. He would surely have the answer to their problems.
Paul doesn’t offer them a curriculum on Christian leadership. He doesn’t give them Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline. He had no answer for them other than just Jesus. Only Jesus. Simply, beautiful, perfect Jesus.
We all have a foundation. Those who are strong lay their foundation on Him. Jesus looked at His disciples and asked, “who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16) Many people thought many different things. Those who walked strong were those who knew Him. Everything boils down to who you see Jesus as. Do you know Him?
When I ask if you know Him I am not referring to answers from Sunday School or whatever you heard on a Sunday morning. I am not talking about reciting the Apostles Creed or head knowledge like that. I am asking if you know HIM.
Paul said in Corinthians, “I didn’t come to you with persuasive words or lofty theology, I came to you only knowing Jesus and Him crucified.” (My paraphrase)
I want to challenge you. Take some time with that question. Who do you say that He is? The cross is the culmination of his purpose on earth. Start there. Here are some Scriptures to meditate on:
John 18-19 . Luke 22-23 . Mark 14-15 . Matthew 26-27 . Acts 4:1-13 . Romans 3:21-24 . 1 Peter 2:24-25 . Isaiah 53
Come to Him through these letters and stories. Ask Him to teach you about who He is. He is the rock that we lay our house on. He is the cornerstone. There is no one more stable than Jesus.
Let me know what you are learning.
Wow, good stuff Gret! This is exactly the same thing I have been dwelling on too. I recently read “Prodigal God” which points out that religion and anti-religion both miss the point. It’s not about following the “guideline” so that your life goes great according to your plans and it’s not about doing all the right things to get what you want. The point is to know the Father and receive His love. Easy to say I guess but sometimes confusing to live out.
Religion and anti-religion both miss the point, I hear ya on that! It is a good word for our generation. I have always seen that in you and it has always encouraged me. You live simply and are just about Jesus.
With living it out, it is huge to just live in His Word daily coming to Him through the Word.