Hey there, welcome to the kitchen table. I mean, what better place for friends to talk about things that matter than to get together at a kitchen table over coffee?
By the way, if you like these get-togethers and this way of talking things over, please like this video and subscribe to this channel. Thank you.
So what thing are we talking about this time? If I were to phrase this as a question, it would be, who is Jesus? I mean, last time we talked about how the Bible is the principal way in which Jesus shares himself with us. So, I figured that a brief exploration into who he is might be a good next step. Right?
I know, I know, I know. How can we, in a fairly short video, fully explore this question? We can’t. But we can explore a framework you can use as you pursue your relationship with him and learn who he is. The framework of accommodation. Now, before your thoughts go anywhere, good, bad, or sideways, based on that word, accommodation. Let me clarify what I mean. What I mean is nothing more nor less than the commitment on your part to build a relationship with Jesus that accommodates or embraces all aspects of who he reveals himself to be.
Why this framework? For a very basic reason… well, let me ask you this. How can you build a healthy, deep, and vibrant relationship with someone you do not know? You can’t. And since Christianity is about a relationship first and foremost, you kind of need to know who this Christ is, right?
See, who you know Jesus to be will determine how much of, and what type of, relationship you have with him. Either a stunted, incomplete one or one that leads to a richness of life that only he can give. Or, as he calls it, “An abundance of life.”1
So, who do I know Jesus to be? Before I get there, two things. First, I’m only offering you an introduction to Jesus; as mentioned earlier, there is simply too much to explore about who he is to provide a more in-depth answer. And, to illustrate this framework of accommodation, I’m going to offer pairings of two aspects that must both be embraced in a relationship with Jesus. Second, I’ll list all the passages I reference in the description area of this video.
So, Jesus is: First, he is the Word of God, who is also God. He is God the One and Only.2 And he is also our friend.3 It is not one or the other; it is both together. He is our God, who is our friend, and he is our friend, who is our God. Our relationship with him must accommodate both, must embrace both, or it is not a true following of the Christ. If we only know Jesus as God, it is too easy to see him as severe and to keep him at a distance. If we only know him as a friend, it is too easy to be flippant with him and so also keep him at a distance. It is only as we accept him as God and as our friend that we are truly able to walk with him and abide in his love. Otherwise, we are ignoring or, worse, denying who he actually is. And no healthy, loving relationship ever grew out of denying who the other person actually is.
Another pairing of aspects of Jesus is that he is both our brother 4 and our king.5 He is our brother who is our king. He is our king who is our brother. Yes, he is family, and yes, he has the final say; he is the Lord. Both must be honored in our understanding, or we are not in a loving relationship with him, nor are we truly following him. For again, we would be ignoring or denying who he is, and that has never built a loving, growing, and healthy relationship with anyone. Oh, you may get one that is stunted and incomplete, one full of frustration or at least of disappointment, but not a healthy, growing, vibrant, and loving one.
One last pairing for you to ponder: He is our High Priest and intercessor with the Father,6 and he is our Judge.7He is both together, never one and not the other. Isn’t that interesting? Intercessor and judge, judge and intercessor. To deny or ignore either is to try and make Jesus into someone other than he is. At that point, you are creating a straw man, or in this case a straw god. One that does not actually exist. And while straw is great for feeding cattle, it isn’t so great when it comes to building a relationship with.
Now, before turning you loose to start learning all you can about Jesus. It’s not like Jesus wakes up on Monday saying, “Today I’m going to be God and judge you. And then, wakes up on Friday, he says, “Today I’m going to be the friend, baby. Let’s go have a good time.” He is always who he is, completely. He is our God, friend, brother, king, High Priest, judge, intercessor, and so much more. He is all this all the time. Which is why he is the one who can bring a great abundance of life to us all.
I’ll stop here, but Scripture contains so much more about Jesus, as you may well expect, since he is God revealing God to us. So, allow me to offer a couple of good resources for your consideration.
The very first place I’d turn to is the book of John. Of all the other books of the Bible, this one has done more for me in terms of revealing who Jesus is. From the get-go, I find an in-depth portrayal of who he is. And before reading, talk to Jesus about this. Let him know that you want to get to know him better and learn more about who he is. And then ask Jesus to reveal himself to you in the reading. And let that be your only motivation. Then, start with John 1:1 and read a chapter or two at a time. And be ready for the Holy Spirit to reveal as much of Jesus as you can handle. That is not meant to be funny; he will only reveal as much as you are prepared to learn and put into practice. Otherwise, you will be overwhelmed. Information overload- you know the feeling. And I base this on something Jesus told his disciples toward the end of his ministry: he had more to tell them, but they were not ready to hear it.8 So, in addition to all the rest we have mentioned, he is also someone who cares enough about us that he will not overwhelm us with information; he will wait until we have grown and are ready to hear more before he gives us more. The amazing depths of God’s love.
Another good resource for learning about God is the two-volume set of books by A.W. Tozer, The Attributes of God, 1 and 2. Look them up wherever you find amazing books. I own and love them both.
Now it’s time for your part of the conversation. Let me know your thoughts on this in this video’s comments section. Thank you for watching and for sharing.
Oh, I almost forgot: there is a free feature on our website called Thought of the Day. It is posted each morning at 8 am CST in the hope that these thoughts inspire you and help you contemplate God and your relationship with him throughout the day. The link is in the description box below. Also, check out our new audio podcast, also linked in the description box. This is hosted by Gerald Yerkes, who recently retired from the pastorate after serving 54 years in that capacity. Join him as he shares insights into God, God’s Word, and living the Christian life. His goal is to help you prepare yourself so that when the time finally comes to stand directly before God, you can present yourself to him unashamedly. This is based on Paul’s encouragement to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15.
Well, until next time. May your relationship with Jesus continue to grow, and may coffee, into your cup, always flow.
1. John 10:10 ~ I come that they might have life and that in abundance.
2. John 1:1-18 ~ Jesus is God, the Word of God through his being the One and Only God
3. John 15:13,14 ~ He is our friend.
4. Hebrews 2:9-18 ~ He is our brother.
5. Acts 17:7, Revelation 1:5 ~ He is our King.
6. Hebrews 3:1 ~ Our High Priest and intercessor.
7. 2 Timothy 4:1, Acts 10:42, John 9:39 ~ Our Judge.
8. John 16:12,13 ~ Jesus not overwhelming us with information.
John 1 ~ whole book. I find this book to be the best for learning who Jesus is.