Jesus1st.Net

Is Jesus Enough?

Enough.
Full.
Complete.
Sufficient.

What do those words mean in your life? What completes you? What would it take to make you content? At what point would you be able to say “I have all I need in life.”

Walk into most churches, and I suspect you will hear that Jesus is enough, that when hope is lost and you have nothing left, Jesus is sufficient. You will likely hear that salvation is about grace, and that while works are important, they aren’t necessary. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to solve our sin problem.

It’s a good teaching. The reality we live in is that we are messed up and without hope. There is no way for us to help ourselves. We’re so messed up, that God had to bring His own footprints into time and space and die a criminal’s death, which He lovingly did 2,000 years ago on a cross outside of Jerusalem. Theologically speaking, Jesus is sufficient. In Him we can find true satisfaction.

But how many of us actually live our lives that way? How many of us are truly free and living a life that says to our neighbors, “Jesus is enough.”

It’s not what I see when I look around me. It’s not what I see in my own life. The Truth of the Bible is that Jesus is enough, He is the only One who satisfies and completes us. But none of us really wants to believe that Truth. We would rather tack something of our own onto it, so that we can get a little credit.

Jesus isn’t enough for us. We want it to be Jesus and our righteousness, or Jesus and our good doctrine, Jesus and our moral resolve, Jesus and our tithing, Jesus and our giving to charity, Jesus and our not smoking, Jesus and the church we go to, or Jesus and our quiet time. Maybe it’s Jesus and our worship, or Jesus and our parenting skills or Jesus and our good marriage.

When we do that, we cheapen what Christ did for us. We start to take Jesus for granted, and compete with each other on whatever we’ve decided to add of our own, and then what we’ve added with good intentions, becomes a sinful idol. We start comparing doctrines, suddenly ours has to be the best, or our morality has to be better than everyone else’s, or we have to give more, or go to church more often, and soon it becomes our rituals and our legalism that we are serving and not our God.

In the end, our religiosity makes us unhappy, and the world looks at us and says, “Why in the world would I want to know their Lord?” The truth is, what they see from us, is exactly the thing Jesus came to save us from.

There’s a freedom in knowing that Jesus is enough and that is work on the cross was complete. Think how much more forgiving we could be if we believed that and lived in the light of that truth? If Christ on the cross is enough to fully satisfy, then I don’t have to strive for anything other than Christ to make my life complete. I don’t have to store up earthly possessions or compete with the Joneses or worry about if I’ve been good enough to get in Heaven. I can focus on getting to know my Savior better.

A Real Savior for Real People With Real Problems

Jesus is not a sedative. He is not a “magic pill” to be taken in small doses to numb momentary struggles. All of life’s problems will not disappear if someone who is  struggling merely “trusts in Jesus.” So many people go through life thinking that if they just have enough faith all of their troubles will disappear. If it were that simple, if we could just speak the name of Jesus and life’s troubles would disappear, there would have been no need for the cross.

Jesus is not a sedative, but He is a savior. A Savior is necessary when someone needs rescuing. Picture a drowning man. He has been treading water and using all his energy just to survive, but hours have passed and he’s exhausted. Now the water is getting rough, a storm is coming, and he has absolutely no hope of keeping his head above water. He can keep trying, but eventually His strength will run out. He can believe and trust and have faith all he wants to, but that isn’t going to stop the storm or send a boat. What he needs is to be rescued. His situation is so incredibly bad and hopeless that there is absolutely nothing he can do about it. He needs someone to save him.

That’s us. We can believe all we want, we can trust all we want. We can keep striving and treading water all we want, but at the end of the day, our situation is so bad that we need to be rescued. We are so incredibly helpless that God had to leave His throne. The almighty creator of all things had to lower himself and become the son of a carpenter. He had to live a beggar’s life and die a criminal’s death to rescue us from a problem so enormous that we had no means of fixing it ourselves.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say following Jesus is easy, or that there are any simple solutions for life’s problems. The truth is, if the world’s problems are so big they can only be solved by God himself shedding blood, we can expect that nothing will be easy.

In fact, Jesus says in this world we will have trouble. He will give us peace, hear our prayers and give us strength, but life is not easy. There is no magic Bible verse you can turn to that will fix all of your problems. If you need a sedative take a sedative, but please, don’t cheapen the message of Christ by trying to make him some sort of magic pill. If you do that, you miss the point of the cross and you lose the gravity of your own helplessness.

Are You Authentic?

You say Jesus lives inside of you. Does he? I mean, where it really counts? Let’s take an inventory.

Is Jesus in your racism?
Is He there in your homophobia?
Is He the one throwing stones at prostitutes and strippers?
Is it Jesus who is causing your self-righteousness and arrogance?
Is He the one that makes you so angry?
Is it Jesus calling you to boycott movies and demonize Hollywood?
Is it really Christ in you that determines how you vote?
Does the Jesus in you tell you not to help the poor and the hungry?
Is it Jesus who allows you to be greedy and store up as much treasure as you can on this earth?
Is this Jesus inside of you telling you not to recycle and be a good steward of the land and air?
Are you representing the God who lives inside you, or have you trapped him and kept Him from getting out?

Do we expect anyone to believe that Jesus lives in us? Are we kidding ourselves?

What If Jesus Was Greedy?

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him with criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said…

“Act now! For a one time fee of just $250, I will teach you how to make the most of your spiritual gifts. Now you can be just like my best disciples and know what I have called you to do, where I want you to serve, and how My Kingdom can best use you!”

As the skies began to turn black and the people gathered, Jesus again spoke. “Buy my book. It will teach you how to get the best life God has planned for you. It’s the only way you’ll ever know your purpose in this life. Just $29.99 at any local bookstore.”

Looking down at his most beloved disciple Jesus spoke once more. “Behold my servant John, whom I am now giving sole ownership of my beach house near the Sea of Galilee. It is a wonderful place for churches, small groups and families to take a retreat and grow closer to God. John, remember the going rate is $2,000 per week.”

At about the ninth hour, Jesus spoke again. “Just a few short hours left for me to teach you my award-winning seminar on finding your place in God’s world. Because the time is short, I’ll slash the price in half and only charge the low, low fee of $600 per family. Thousands have been through this program and have found forgiveness for their sins and a new path to the Almighty. This is the final time this course is being offered. Hurry. The gates of Heaven are closing soon.”

Actually…

“In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
-John 2:14-16

A Disturbing Comparison

Jesus’ First Miracle:

• Went with his mother and some friends to a wedding party.
• Turned water into wine.
• The wine tasted incredible.
• The party kept going.
• Jesus took no credit.

How Christians are known today

• Not entirely sure if they should go to parties.
• Don’t want to touch wine and don’t want you to touch it either.
• Would never admit to drinking, let alone having “good wine.”
• Would consider a days-long party to be debauchery.
• If they did anything good, they would make sure everyone in their “prayer chain” knew about it.

My, how far we have come!

What Would Jesus Say?

It seems like everyone makes such a big deal out of what Jesus would do. We thought we would consider what Jesus might say in response to some very common statements that are often uttered in desperation, fear, or depression. Below you will find these often-heard cries, followed by what we think Jesus would say in response. \

It’s Hopeless
I am hope for the hopeless, put your faith in me. Where your abilities end mine begin, have faith and together we can accomplish anything. \

Why Me?
Because I chose you. I would not lead you to do anything you could not do or give you more than you can handle. Sometimes the road may seem rough, but be assured that I am with you.

I don’t know what your will is for me, I don’t know what you want.
That’s okay, I do. Stick with me and in time all will be made clear. Trust me, I have great plans for you even if you do not know them yet.

I’m afraid.
If I am with you what could you possibly have to fear? You can’t fear man, because you have God on your side. You can’t fear the devil, for I have conquered him. Besides that, I am so much greater than any hold Satan could ever have on you, I am so much more powerful than anything the world has ever known and I am living inside you. Don’t be afraid I’m here for you all the time.

I am running out of time.
I am the Father of time. Every hour of every day is set and given by me. Don’t worry about how much time you have, for I am in control of time.

I feel so alone.
I’ll keep you company, I’ll even introduce you to new friends, I’ll set you free.

Nothing I’ve done is working, I’m so frustrated.
I have never let you down before, this is no different. Let me handle it in my own way, on my own time. It will all work out and everything will fall into place better than you can imagine. Don’t worry, I’m in control.

I need a friend.
Not only am I your savior, I’m also your friend. Stick with me and I’ll take you on the ride of your life. You’ve never had a friend who cares more about you than I do. My compassion for you was signed in blood 2000 years ago when I died on a cross so that you could have eternal life.

I can’t handle this anymore.
I will never give you more than you can handle and I will always provide a way of escape. If you feel you can’t handle something, give it to me… I can.

I feel like I am getting farther away from you each day.
That’s only natural. You will find your way back and I will help you. Just remember that while you may feel far from me, I am never far from you.

I don’t know who to trust.
First, trust in me, totally and completely. Once you have done that I will lead you to someone you can trust.

All I need is some peace and quiet!
I am the peace you seek. Come to me and I will forever comfort you. I can give you shelter for the storms of your life.

I’m being tempted.
No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. You can stand up to it, I was tempted and I know how you feel. Because of that I can lead you out of temptation as long as you call on my name.

I feel worthless.
You are worth more than anything to me. You are my most precious creation. You are worth so much that I went through a life of pain and suffering, and was killed for you. You will always be special to me, even if the world hates you.

No one understands me.
I do. I understand you better than you do. I know what you need better than anybody else including you.

I don’t know enough about you.
Trust me and all will be revealed to you.

I’m worried.
Don’t be. I take care of birds and flowers and they can’t even compare to you in worth. Think of how much more I will take care of you. Don’t let anything bother you because in the end, it will work toward my ultimate plan for your life.

But Why?

By now you’ve heard the story every Christmas since your birth. A Child was born in Bethlehem to a poor carpenter and his wife. The carpenter wasn’t the father. In fact, an angel appeared and said the child was a King and was from God. The birth itself was unremarkable and took place in a manger, attended by shepherds and livestock.

You’ve heard about a Silent Night that happened Away In A Manger in the Little Town of Bethlehem. You’ve been told that While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night Angels We Have Heard on High appeared and sang Gloria. You have heard that Mary’s Little Boy Child was born to bring Joy To The World. But why? Why did He come, and what does it mean?

It wasn’t to rule. The helpless child the world saw, was actually The King of Kings who already ruled it all. It wasn’t to make His presence known. Few people actually knew about Him during His life. This whole scene, unfolding in a remote village that was barely a dot on the map of the great Roman Empire, was a rescue mission.

God saw what we don’t like to admit. He saw a world in great need. He heard the world crying out for a savior, and He came ― clothed in humanity ― to rescue something precious that was lost. God understood what we often don’t understand ― that when we live our lives separated from Him, we will find ourselves in desperate need of rescue.

The answer to “Why?” is “Because we needed help.” The specific type of help can differ from person to person. Why do you need help?

Are you lonely? Do you long for friendship or love? Do you wish there was just one person in this life who would understand you and who would listen to you?

Are you depressed? Do you fail to see a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how hard you try? Do you ever feel like there is no way out?

Do you feel a sense of guilt that you can’t escape? Is there something in your life that isn’t right, something about yourself that you don’t like, but no matter what you do, you just can’t shake it?

Are you struggling? Are the pressures and the drama of life too much for you to bear?

Are you caught in an addiction of any kind? Do you feel like you desperately want to stop, but you just can’t find the willpower to do it?

That’s why. The baby we celebrate at Christmas came to be a friend to the lonely, a light for the depressed, an advocate for the guilty, a helping hand for the struggling and strength for the addicted. The only thing powerful enough to knock God off His throne was His deep love for people who were in desperate and inescapable need.

Dirt

Dirt. Her feet were caked in it from a long day’s journey. She desperately needed to bathe and she longed for a soft bed. But her present surroundings were a far cry from the cleanliness she desired. There may not be blankets in this meager stable, but there is plenty of dirt for people and animals alike. She looks down at her newborn baby and sobs, “I’m so sorry it had to be here, Jesus. You deserve so much better. This is no place for a king.”

Dirt. There was certainly plenty of it to go around. As the boy grew, it would accompany him everywhere. It would surround him for 40 days in the wilderness, it would sneak under his fingernails as he worked in the carpentry shop and it would amass on his feet as he and a ragtag band of misfits roamed the countryside. Near the end of his life, he would make it a point to wash the grime and grit off the feet of his ragamuffin gang.

Dirt would be kicked up in his face as he was beaten. It would gather in his hair when he fell while carrying a cross. The filth and rust of a Roman nail would one day pierce what were now tiny hands. Born in the dirt of a manger to return to the dirt in death.

Dirt. It was always about the dirt and the filth. The King came to the pigpen as swine. He slept in the slop bucket, and endured the slaughterhouse. The King came because He saw that his people were dirty, and He knew this was the only way we could be clean.

Life With Us

It was the second most magical moment in all of time. The first was when He created life. As the angels watched in amazed silence, God re-connected with his creation after thousands of years of separation. It had been part of the plan ever since man chose sin over Godliness. Even before He did it, He knew what it would take and what He would experience. The pain made him wince but the overpowering thought of being reunited with His creation made Him all the more willing to go through with it. He had the chance to do something unheard of. He had the chance to bridge the gap between man and God.

For a brief moment in time Heaven came to earth. All that was good in Heaven was given to the people it was always meant for. The Master finally had the chance He had been waiting for. He had the opportunity to share His undying love and unfaltering commitment with His most prized creation. For so many centuries He had longed to walk with them and talk with them. He had always wanted more than anything to personally comfort them in their time of need, to let them know that He was there and that He cared about them more than they could ever know. This was His chance. He could show them what they meant to Him.

See His energetic smile as a young boy, playing tag with His friends and taking part in the joys of His creation’s childhood. He may not have known it then, but what he was doing was something He had only been able to watch from a distance, it was something He had always wanted to take part in. Children were so innocent, they were so much more unique than the rest of mankind, yet because of man’s sin, God had never gotten to interact with them. Now He was getting that chance, and what made it even more special was that He got to do it from the perspective of a child.

Hear Him as a growing adolescent, telling jokes at public gatherings. I’ll bet He could bring the room down with laughter by sharing some of His humorous analogies. Maybe He knew then. Maybe He didn’t; but His humor came not from what life He had lived but from what He had observed from Heaven. Can you see the glow in His eyes as He sees that He has connected with His audience and that He is bringing them cheer? He would do that many years later with more serious analogies. He would later bring them not just cheer, but hope as well.

Watch him at the temple as a young teen as he asks the church leaders questions. He knew. At this point in His life, He knew who He was and what He had to do. His questions were not designed to gain knowledge. His questions were ones that would make the church leaders think. Observe the glow on His face as He sees lights going off in the heads of His audience. Finally, after all this time He had a chance to teach and interact with His children in their own world. This time He could see something He hadn’t seen before. He could see that they were listening and that they were learning from Him. It wasn’t just following commands, or trying to please Him, they were actually hearing His voice and considering His words. It melted His heart even then.

He must have loved it. His original plan was to be able to spend time with the one creation that He had made in His image and to be united with them. Because of sin that couldn’t happen, but now… Now it was different, He became one with the creation. For the first time since the Garden of Eden, He could walk among them. How it must have warmed His heart to be able to dry their tears and ease their pain. And to be able to reach out and actually touch them again, that was something He had wanted to do for years. To just put a firm hand on the back of those that were struggling and give them the reassurance that all would get better in time. It meant so much more to them, and to Him, to be able to tell them these things in person. Never before had this been possible. Their sin had always pushed them so far away from His love. This time that love was close by. He was so close that He could actually talk to them one on one in a way that they could understand.

It felt great when He saw people coming to Him for help. Never in all of time had this many people turned to Him. He saw people giving up everything they had to follow Him, which was the one thing He had hoped for from afar for thousands of years. He could do things as a human that He couldn’t do from His throne because they would feel intimidated, like their struggles were small compared to an omnipotent God. He could look in their eyes and see trust, and He could return that look in His own eyes. He could talk with them and walk with them. He could gently teach them and even more gently, correct them. The miracles He did from Heaven, He could do on earth and people could see Him doing them.

Before, people “looked” to God without ever seeing Him and trusted Him blindly. While He was a man, people could literally look to Him, and the faith they had in Him was anything but blind. The people who heard Him teach, believed, and they believed not because of the power of His words but by the power of His presence and the unconditional love that He showed them.

That was the part He enjoyed the most. He could love them. He could show them how much He loved them and once they experienced His love they knew that it could come from no other heart but God’s. He could quench the thirsty soul of the desperate. He could feed the spiritual hunger of the abandoned. His love showed the outcasts that their burdens were not just theirs, but that He shared their pain. He loved them all, no matter what the circumstance. He was a defendant to the sinful, a light to those in the darkness, a hope for those without hope, a refuge for the fearful, and a servant to all.  It was clear to them if they really opened their heart that no human could love like this.

When all was said and done and the nails had been driven home, there was no question among those that heard Him; He was God. He made His mark and His mark still remains. He showed us how to live and taught us the ways of God. He led us all down the path of righteousness, but most importantly. He loved us. He is the only example of true love the world has ever seen. The one who loves us enough and knows us well enough to never let us down, knock us out, or lead us into confusion. He enjoyed every second of being with us, and I know one thing is for sure. He is eagerly waiting, with more excitement than ever, for the day the trumpet will sound and He will get to be in fellowship with His most beloved and precious creation again. He loves us, and someday

He will come to lead us home.

He Loves You Anyway