The Threefold Jesus

So, I've been thinking. A lot. Sure, my thoughts are not always serious, or worth dwelling upon. But they are thoughts nonetheless, and since they are mine, I think them important. They started with a conversation with a friend. I was talking about something that Jesus said in the gospels when my friend asked, "How do you really know that Jesus said that?"

I was taken aback. I have heard those questions before. I was aware that people had doubts about the veracity of the gospel stories. In fact, I have studied the objections and debated the issues. But I was shocked that someone I count as a friend could be so bold. So, how do I know?

I worked on it for awhile. I read some apologetics texts. I studied some papers I had written in seminary. I meditated. I built theoretical arguments. I argued them. I rebutted them. I tried other arguments.

I believe I can make a case for the existence of Jesus. I think that we can safely know a lot about what Jesus said and did. But all of that boils down to faith. I believe. That makes all of this a lot easier for me. I trust in the Bible. I have faith in the church. I know what I have experienced in my own heart and life. I am sure that God has revealed the truth about Jesus.

That led me to my second problem. What is the most important thing: Jesus? His works? His words? This was- and is- not as easy for me to answer.

• Jesus' words are crucial to Christians. We get our pattern for life from what Jesus taught. We know that we are supposed to live in a certain way, because Jesus told us to live that way. Much of our ethic, at least where it affects public life and civil discourse, comes from the words of Jesus. The social justice Christians- of which I am one- are significantly influenced by the words of Jesus.
• Jesus' actions are crucial to Christians. We learn how to interact with others, how to teach, how to show compassion and how to stand for truth by studying how Jesus does it. We also learn to expect miracles, healings and strong stands for the oppressed by watching what Jesus does. The evangelical and charismatic Christians- of which I am one- are significantly influenced by the actions of Jesus.
• Jesus' life is crucial to Christians. There are several things to cover here. Jesus, according to orthodox Christianity, is the incarnation of God himself. That is, the life of Jesus is important because he was God in the flesh. Secondly, Jesus was completely human. Although he was divine, he was still a man. He knows all about my weaknesses and struggles because he had them too. Finally, Jesus' life ended, but it did not stay ended. He is alive today to verify for all Christians the truth of our faith. Christians- of which I am one- are significantly influenced by the life of Jesus.

One Name

I think that I can summarize my life and my work very simply. In fact, it is one word, one name that tells the story of who I am and what I do: Jesus.

• Jesus is my message. Everything that I do, live for, teach and believe is summarized in the life and ministry of Jesus. The gospels are my text book and Jesus is my message.
• Jesus is my mission. My purpose in life is to tell as many people as I can about Jesus. My goal is to get as many people to know about Jesus- and to follow Jesus- as I can before I die. Jesus is my mission.
• Jesus is my ministry. It is very easy for us 'ministry-types' to get consumed with our ministries. We know all the needs that we have to meet and every day there are more. There is never a shortage of things to do in religious work. But I try to be careful to never lose sight of the most important thing I am to do. I am to love, worship and serve Jesus. My primary ministry is Jesus.
• Jesus is my model. The classic question, "What would Jesus do?" is very appropriate. Everything that I do should be found acceptable when compared to the work, the ministry, the teachings of Jesus. I need to pattern my life after him.
• Jesus is my method. That state may be a little misleading. It would be better to say, "Whatever gets people to consider and know Jesus is my method." Plainly stated, I try to become all things to all men so that I can win some. Jesus is my method.

How is that for simplicity? One name is the answer to all the problems and concerns in my life. You could say that Jesus is my life. Shouldn't he be yours as well.