He is Near Indeed

The other day I was waiting in line at the store and overheard a conversation between a father and his son. The son was about 4 years old, and quite curious. As most young ones do, he inquisitively surveyed the items for sale, rarely refraining from touching them. One of the things he picked up was a copy of the Jesus Film. He turned to his dad and asked “Daddy, what’s this?”  The father responded by saying “You don’t want anything to do with that, Buddy. It’s just about Jesus, Im sure it’s not the most thrilling film ever made.” He looked around as though to find someone who would agree with him, clearly speaking from the assumption that everyone thinks Jesus is boring. 

I left the store a bit saddened for that father, but mostly for the little boy. His view of Jesus as of now is that he’s some actor-but a lousy one at best. His dad sees no value in the character of Jesus, so why should he? As tempting as it is to point fingers at those who blatantly marginalize Jesus as a trivial bore, I must admit that God would serve justice in pointing that finger at me. 

Countless Scriptures declare the majesty and authority and deity of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 7 predicts that He would rule over an eternal kingdom. Isaiah 16:5 foreshadows His faithfulness, justice, and righteousness. Psalm 16:10 predicts that He would be raised from the dead, and Psalm 22:14,16 tells of the suffering He would endure beforehand. Zechariah calls Him the “Good Shepherd” and predicts his future glory. John 1 places Him in the very company of God the Father and Holy Spirit before all time, and present at the creation of the world. Colossians 1:14 entitles Him to grant redemption to men and to forgive their sins, and verse 27 tells that He is the greatest  revelation of the glory of God, and thereby the only way to the Father (John 14:6). Even a Roman Centurion who likely scoffed at Jesus prior to His crucifixion confessed “truly, this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). 

In reading 2 Peter yesterday, I was again reminded not only of the astonishing worth of Jesus Christ, but also of the importance to know who He is. Verses 2-8 read:

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us Hid precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless, nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Later Peter notes that those who lack these qualities are fools and near sighted (9), yet that those who possess them will never stumble (10). Furthermore, “in this way, the entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied.”

These words echo those of John 17:3 in which Jesus Himself says “‘This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” 

Jesus changes everything. He will redeem all, be king over all, judge all in righteousness, and be forever glorified. Isn’t it amazing that He invites us to partake of these things with Him through the knowledge of Him. By knowing Him, we can become part of those He redeems, part of His kingdom, and be forever glorified with Him. These things will not be temporary, but will last forever. To know Jesus is to know eternal life. 

By God’s grace, may that father and son from the store come to a real understanding of Jesus Christ. And by His grace, may those who already know Him press on, that their knowledge of Him might abound. 

May our prayers echo that of Israel’s in their desperate cry to the Lord:

“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.” Hosea 6:3

Hallelujah, He is near indeed. May we press on to know Him. 

Blessings.