Who is Jesus to me?
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Who is Jesus to me?
— James Sloan
Today we're continuing our journey through the series called Origin.
We're looking at the book of John, the last of the four gospels, and very much unlike Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the way that it describes the life and events of Jesus. So today we're in chapter seven. And we see the identity of Jesus called into question. We'll look at a couple of points of the chapter and see what we can learn from it together, but not as an academic exercise.
You know, as Christians, we believe the Bible to be God's word to us, not just a text or a historic account. In fact, Nicky Gumbel, a well-known pastor of a church in London says, the Bible is the only book whose author is always present with you every time you read it. So for me, every time I read the Bible, I look to reflect on what I feel God might be saying to me through His word.
It helps me to grow my faith as I seek to share Jesus with those around me. And this passage in John has loads that we can reflect on and learn about in the person of Jesus. So I titled this short talk, Who is Jesus to me?
For context, we pick up John's account as a debate. Rage is on about Jesus' testimony and his claims to be the son of God. The people of Jerusalem, probably a small mob of devout Jews claim he cannot be the Christ as they know where he's from. This could be due to scriptures from the Old Testament. In books like Malachi where it says that God's messenger will come suddenly to the temple, it may have been a popular belief that Messiah would just appear out of nowhere, almost as if he was waiting concealed, and someday would just burst suddenly upon the world and no one would know where he had come from.
So let's look at Jesus' response to their accusations. It says,
They may have known Jesus came from Nazareth, but they didn't understand his origin and his relationship with the Father. If they knew God the Father, then they would know Christ the Son as the two are one. The crowd were perhaps confused about where the Messiah would come from, but Jesus knew exactly where he came from. His origin and his mission were from God. I am from him and he sent me.
Now for me growing up, I heard a lot about Jesus and all the Bible stories, but I didn't have any kind of sense of understanding of what a relationship with God looked or even felt like. It wasn't until later in life that I really felt the presence of God and then all the stories and Bible verses made sense. Because it wasn't focused on following a religion, but on living a life of faith. Suddenly it felt like an adventure rather than a bunch of rules. It was liberating. It was life-giving. It was life-shaping.
Recently I've been on a parenting course about raising kids in the church and it talks about the difference between being God-smart and being God-connected. We can teach our kids all the information from the Bible and they can sing all the songs at church, but this doesn't mean they'll feel connected to God. It's a step of faith they have to take for themselves.
The crowds had seen and heard of his miracles, but they couldn't allow themselves to believe that this carpenter from Nazareth was the Messiah, the one they'd been waiting for, the one who could save them from Roman occupation, and the one who could bring salvation.
They lacked faith.
Then it would appear in the passage that some time passes and then Jesus speaks on the last day of one of the Jewish feasts. This would've gained serious attention as using the temple courts, which was like a busy area directly outside the temple itself. But also because it says that he stood up to speak.
Now, most teachers, Rabbis, would've sat down when they taught from scriptures. So in John 7 verse 37, it says,
So, a quick bit of religious context, the Feast of Tabernacles lasted eight days. All through the first seven days, water from this pool called the pool of Siloam was carried in a golden pitcher and poured out the altar to remind everyone of the water that God miraculously provided for the thirsty Israelite people in the wilderness. Jesus boldly called people to himself to drink and satisfy their deepest thirst, their spiritual thirst.
This invitation was broad because it said that anyone from any intelligence, race, gender, nationality, or political party, it's not limited. However, the invitation was narrow because it said if anyone thirsts. They must first see their need. Thirst is not anything in itself. It's a lack of something. It's an emptiness, a crying need. And Jesus is essentially saying to the crowd, there's no more water at the temple, and in the rituals that you followed. I have the water you're looking for.
To come to Jesus and to drink was essentially to put your faith in him, to trust in, rely on and cling to Jesus for both time and eternity.
But Jesus didn't only speak of something coming into a person, but something flowing out of them as well. It was not only a blessing received but a blessing to others, a source of blessing. And if you put your trust in Jesus and enthrone him in your life, in your heart, then life and abundance will flow out to others.
And this is where I find the joy of living as a Christian. It's not a constant strive for self-improvement. It's finding your place in God's family and making your contribution to serve those both within and outside of the church.
There's this passage I love in the book of Ezekiel, where it talks about water flowing from the temple towards a dry desert land. And it flows. The water gets deeper and deeper, as it flows out towards the sea and along the way you see there are fresh fish in the water, the fruit trees on its bank and everything it touches kind of springs into life. And for me, that's a reminder of the potential of the church to bring life into our communities as the people of God bless others through their words and their actions.
That's a church that I love and that I believe Jesus is coming back for. Now after all these accounts were given in John seven, we see that there are several reactions and responses from the crowd. Some say he was a prophet, some say he was the Christ, others doubted and wanted to kill him.
So what's your response to Jesus? Have you put your trust in him? Have you put your faith in him? Are you God-smart or God-connected?
Maybe you're watching this and have never taken that step of faith as it feels uncertain or scary. If that's the case, then I'd encourage you to message a member of the Crowd team or reach out to your local church or me personally. Since I made the decision to commit my life to following Jesus, I've never looked back. It's given my life a sense of purpose. It's given me a church family with whom I can journey through life. But it's also given me a sense of peace when the world is flipped upside down as we've seen in previous years. And it means I can trust in God, the one who never changes.
I'd love to share a little story with you, a lady called Anna. Anna came into our church building about eight years ago looking for help. She was given food and connected with some volunteers from the church. Fast forward to the present day, and she's now working with the homeless in Liverpool and leading a Polish church congregation.
She encountered Jesus. And since then, her life has been transformed and she's found her place in a church family where she can serve and be a blessing to others, just like we read in the passage today. So I pray today that you would experience this living water of Jesus Christ in your life and it would fill you to overflowing to bless those around you.
Anna's story
I am Anna Dzugala. I was born in Poland where I spent 20 years of my life. I moved to England and I met my partner. I spent eight years with him, which was not very healthy most of the time. I've got two children with him. Due to arguments and different lifestyles, we separated and it was not a very pleasant situation.
I didn't know where to look for support. I was given a voucher for a food bank as I needed some supplies for me and the children, and I ended up in Frontline Church. I walked through the door and I was greeted with the kindest smile and a welcoming presence of Estelle. Estelle spoke to me like nobody before about this fantastic and amazing person who loves me no matter what I've done and what I've been through.
And she just told me that he wants me to be with him and that he will give me everything I need and care for me and that his name is Jesus. But the first nine months of social care help, we'd been given a place in domestic violence refuge, which was very good, but we didn't have any money as our claim didn't go through.
So we needed support. It is very difficult to ask for food when you have nothing and with children, it's a very humbling experience. I didn't have to go through very painful roads because of people from Frontline. They just got the money together, brought food now and then, treated me always with respect and dignity, and they always prayed.
I had so many friends then, but the best feeling was that people prayed for me, that there is this Jesus, this amazing person who looks after me and my children, and that I don't have to be worried anymore because he will provide for every single thing that I need, and he did that. When I was on my own and the children were asleep, I had nobody to turn to.
Then on one Sunday when I came in, I was just greeted by this big family in here. Lots of people. Nobody asked who I am, and where I'm from. They just accepted me how I am with my children, and they just loved me for who I was. The community here allowed me to blossom, feel good about myself, put the past behind me and learn new things about God is amazing. God, that is our father.
I've managed to meet Ben with his community, Bible Heritage. I've managed to explore even more about Bible and find out about Jesus and live by what he wanted me to live by, and that's amazing to know that every single day, you're blessed with God's presence and you're doing everything best to please him, and he's gonna be happy for you no matter what.
It was just the best thing I knew and I knew from that particular moment that there is nothing else I can give to my children. I'm not rich. I won't have many things to give to them, but I can show them, God. I can introduce them to Jesus. If they manage to build that connection with God, then my job is done. So I can check it off the list, my parenting has proven to be good.
Today I work in a Catholic school. I work in a primary school where Jesus is a celebrity. He is celebrated every day with prayer. The children know who he is. They can ask and speak freely about Jesus' love for them and to others. The Catholic school allowed me to meet other people, speak to other parents and use my talents in languages to translate and to just let everybody know how much God loves them.
And it is amazing how just a simple sentence can make so much difference in people's life. Just to know that you know what, I know it's difficult, but there is Jesus and he loves you. And that puts a smile on people's faces.
CONVERSATION STREET
With: Matt Edmundson & John Harding
What is Conversation Street?
Conversation Street is part of our live stream, where the hosts (in this case, Matt & John) chat through James' talk and answer questions that were sent in through the live stream. You can watch the conversation in the video, it starts 24 mins 59 s into the live stream, or you can go straight there by clicking here. This week’s questions and topics of conversation are:
You know that Jesus is not a myth by the way he transforms you. What do you think to that?
"You know when you've met someone met by Jesus. Fact." Do you agree?
What are some of the common misconceptions you've come across that people inside and outside the church have about Jesus?
C.S.Lewis said about Jesus "Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse." Why does the church give that polarization? And why isn't Jesus just a good man or teacher or prophet?
How does God transform us? And is it as simple as saying a prayer to experience this transformation?
How is the Christian message different from self-help or self-improvement messages out there in the world?
How does a great warm welcome at church make a difference in people's lives?
More Bible verses on Jesus
Isaiah 53:5 - But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Acts 4:12 - Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
1 John 4:9 - This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
Luke 18:27 - Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Romans 10:9 - If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Ephesians 5:2 - And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 16:16,17 - And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Acts 4:11,12 - This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Philippians 2:8-11 - And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Micah 5:2 - But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.