Jesus: The God Who Knows Your NameSample

Great Teacher

We can know the designer of the Grand Canyon, the human eye, and the Milky Way galaxy. He is alive and well, and he invites us to know him. It is impossible to know the meaning of life if we do not know the Maker of life. Jesus came as our teacher and guide to reveal his heart, his joy, his passion, his plan, and his sorrows. We are not left alone with our wanderings and wonderings. 

Yet Jesus doesn’t hold his position over our heads. He stoops down to serve us as he shows us what the kingdom of God is like and the way to heaven. And he stands up on our behalf, placing himself between us and those who would accuse us as unworthy of his love, forgiveness, and salvation. When faced with our sin, voices of condemnation awaken in us. Satan tries to steal your peace, kill your dreams, and destroy your future. But he will not have the last word. Jesus has acted on your behalf. He stooped low enough to rub shoulders with the likes of you. Low enough to be crucified and buried. And then he stood up from the slab of death, and he stands up for you.

Wherever God sees sincere seekers with confused hearts, you can bet that he will do whatever it takes to help them see his will. Jesus carries the authority of God to teach us how to live, how to love, how to forgive. But most of all he teaches us why on earth we are on this earth. In this age of information there is much know-how, but hardly any know-why. We need answers. Jesus offers them. But can we trust him? Only one way to know. Seek him out. Lift up your eyes and set your sights on Jesus.

When you enter a difficult experience, trust in Jesus' work. And trust his Word. Don’t trust your emotions. Don’t trust your opinions. Don’t even trust your friends. Heed only the voice of God. Satan will try to raise doubts about God and shift, ever so gradually, your source of confidence away from God’s promise and toward your performance. Jesus’ weapon of choice against Satan was Scripture, and it is yours too. Everything you need is in the Book; you simply need to heed it. God is constantly and aggressively communicating with the world through his Word. Wow! God is speaking still! Hang in there.

Our assignment is not fruitfulness but faithfulness. The secret to fruit-bearing and anxiety-free living is less about doing and more about abiding. To abide is to be at home. Our aim—our only aim—is to be at home in Christ. He is our place of refuge and security. We are comfortable in his presence, free to be our authentic selves. We know our way around in him. We know his heart and his ways. We rest in him, find our nourishment in him. Abiding in Christ, filling our minds with the truth of God and his goodness brings victory over anxiety and doubt and teaches us about God’s faithfulness no matter what our circumstances.

Respond

What is Jesus teaching you about yourself? What are you learning about his love for you?

What role does the truth of God’s Word play in your daily life? How can Scripture keep you connected and at home with Jesus?

What anxieties and doubts do you need to surrender to confidence in God’s promises?