Who is Jesus

I need Jesus and here are just some of the reasons why:

I need Jesus as my SAVIOR from sin. I’ve done some things the Lord told me not to do (1 John 3:4; 5:17), and I’ve failed to do some things the Lord told me to do (James 4:17). That makes me a sinner. Sin is very serious business, because it separates me from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). The Bible also reveals the punishment for sinners, and it is not a pretty picture: “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Hell is the place reserved for sinners—a lake of fire and brimstone in which all the wicked will be cast to burn forever and ever (Revelation 21:8). That’s what I was facing as a sinner. I desperately needed someone to rescue me from all this, to save me from sin and its horrible punishment. Of course, it was Jesus who did just that. He came to this earth to “seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). I was among the lost He came to save, and He did just that when I turned from my sins and was baptized in His name (Acts 2:38). Jesus washed my sins away with His blood (Acts 22:16; Revelation 1:5); He redeemed me from sin and its consequences (1 Peter 1:18-19). So first and foremost, I need Jesus as my Savior from sin. Without Him, I would be on my way to hell.

I need Jesus as my INTERCESSOR. I wish I could tell you that after I was saved by the blood of Christ, that I learned my lesson and never sinned any more. But I would be lying if I said that. To my shame, even as a child of God, I still commit sins. When I do sin, I need the blood of Jesus. Thankfully, when Jesus died for me, He was not through with me. He ascended to the right hand of the Father, and “He always lives to make intercession” for me (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34). With Him as my Advocate (1 John 2:1), I can confess my sins before God with a penitent heart, and be assured that all is forgiven (1 John 1:8-9).

I need Jesus as an EXAMPLE to follow. We all learn from the example of others. We may be following good examples or bad, but to a large extent, our lives are shaped by the lives of others. I’ve learned some wonderful lessons from the example of my parents and other dedicated Christians, not to mention the examples found in the Bible. But if we’re looking for the perfect example, the perfect role model, it would certainly be Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 says He “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” That being the case, I should be able to learn an awful lot from Him. Let me just mention a few things. I can learn from His example how to resist temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). I can learn from His willingness to suffer in order to do God’s will (Matthew 26:39). I can learn from Him how to handle the mistreatment of others (1 Peter 2:21-23). Jesus has gone before me to show me the way. He has blazed a trail for me to follow, a trail that will lead me to eternal life.

I need Jesus to give MEANING to my life. In case you haven’t noticed, many people are dissatisfied with their lives, perhaps for different reasons. Some people are caught up in the routine of every day living, and really see no purpose to their lives. They have no goals. Others are chasing “rainbows,” goals they really have very little chance of reaching. Those who have “caught their rainbows” end up being disappointed, because it really didn’t bring the happiness they thought it would. But I can confidently say that Jesus has given real meaning to my life. I now understand that my time here on earth is very limited, and the time I do have is to be devoted to the God who created me and the Savior who died for me. Here is how it is expressed in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” That’s what my life is all about. The apostle Paul summed up his life this way: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). What is it that gives my life meaning? The fact that every day I’m living for someone who loved me enough to die for me.

I need Jesus for DAILY STRENGTH. Some problems are too big for me—I humbly admit that. I need Jesus to help me. I believe I can face any problem with the strength I find in Christ, because that’s what the Bible teaches me. For example, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). And these words: “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me…But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). How comforting it is to know that Jesus will stand with ME and strengthen ME! Jesus is my High Priest, constantly interceding on my behalf before the Father, and as a result, I can go “boldly to the throne of grace” and “obtain grace and mercy to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). I need that, and so do you!

I need Jesus for GOOD MENTAL HEALTH. Philippians 4:6-9 offers the perfect prescription for good mental health. It tells us four things to do. First, be anxious for nothing (v. 6). Second, carry everything to the Lord in prayer (v. 6). Third, think or meditate on the right things (v. 8). Fourth, obey God’s will (v. 9). The result? “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” I need that, and you do too.

I need Jesus for CONTENTMENT in all circumstances of life. The apostle Paul did not have an easy life, but he learned contentment: Here are the words he wrote while imprisoned in Rome: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12). Paul could even be content with a “thorn in the flesh,” because as a Christian, he realized it would keep him humble and make him more dependent on the grace of God, that this “weakness” would actually make him stronger (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). This kind of perspective or outlook can only be found in Christ. I haven’t learned this lesson as well as I should, but I’m getting better. At least I understand now that no matter what adversity I face, His grace is sufficient for me.

I need Jesus to win VICTORY OVER DEATH. Unless the Lord comes again in my lifetime, I am going to die. I don’t know when it will happen, or how it will happen, but I do know this—without Jesus, I have no hope beyond the grave. Jesus, who called Himself “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), brought me the hope of eternal life (2 Timothy 1:10). Because of Jesus, I can say, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). I can look forward to the place Jesus has prepared for me (John 14:1-3), a place that is “incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away” (1 Peter 1:4).

Note: The main points for this article were taken from an article by Mike Willis, Guardian of Truth, May 5, 1983.

In the next article we challenge you to respond to a series of questions to see how well you know Jesus.