During my early teens our church family sang a song that went… “He is all I need, he’s all I need – Jesus is all I need.” As a young man aspiring for lots of things, I could not get into my thinking that Jesus is all I need. I saw myself as needing some fun, a car, an education, a girlfriend, a good job etc. etc. But Jesus? Not as much. As the years have passed however, I have come to realize that, as valuable as all the necessities and benefits of life are, more than anything – Jesus is all I need.
Every blessing I enjoy I now see as coming from His hands. (James 1:17) He is both the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Jude 24, 25) Salvation is found in no other (Acts 4:12).
From the very beginning in Scripture, Jesus was prophesied as God’s complete answer to man’s problems. In Genesis 3:15 immediately after Satan duped man and led him to disobey God, Jesus was brought into the unfolding drama of life as the One who would one day conquer Satan fully and bring man back into full relationship with God. While the enemy may bruise man’s heels, one day Jesus will step on the head of the serpent to finish his influence forever.
When God called Abraham, he promised that one day all the nations of the earth would be blessed through him. Jesus came into this world, born out of the seed of Abraham. When he came, he was announced by an angel as a “Savior” who would save all people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) Jesus is the pivot around which God’s mission revolves. (John 14:6; I Tim. 2:4-5)
Through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection Satan’s defeat was guaranteed. Paul said, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (I Cor 15:14) “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (v:20-22) “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.” (v:24) “When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” (v:28)
It is so easy to get our focus centered on other things. Satan would want this. The heart of the Christian faith, however, is Jesus. Simply Jesus. Without Jesus, God would not be found, known, or comprehended. He is bread to the hungry; water to the thirsty; healing for the wounded; wisdom to the unlearned; strength to the weak; joy to those sorrowing. Whatever a soul can desire is found in him. He is our high priest; our burden bearer; our advocate before the Father; our Savior; our counselor; our guide; our faithful friend; our provider; our soon coming King.
And an angel of the Lord God said, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
Merry CHRISTmas my friend.
Glen (Pitts)
The Barnabas Group / Loads of Love
Philippians 3:7-9; I Corinthians 2:1-5; 15:12-28; John 1:14
