real Jesus

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. John 21:12

This was the third time after HIS resurrection that the disciples met Jesus. This time, they were out fishing. They had returned to the business they were conducting prior to meeting Jesus. A man on the beach told them where to throw their net. When they did, the result was over 153 large fish caught at one time. A similar event occurred when they first met Jesus. (See Luke 5:1-6). They now witnessed a repeat. The man on the beach was Jesus.

How often have we repeatedly witness Jesus in the lives of others? As we experience life with Jesus, don’t we begin to catch glimpses of HIM at work with others? As we draw closer to HIM, does HE not reveal more of HIMSELF to us? Like any relationship built on trust and loyalty, the depth and width only grows deeper and deeper. We begin to see more than the outside appearance. We begin to witness the real heart and character of that person. The same is with Jesus.

You tell me about your Jesus and I will tell you about my Jesus. The more we share, the more our cup overflows of the awe and wonder of God.

I’m not talking about the academic Jesus. The impersonal God-Man found between the pages of the Bible. But the one-on-one Jesus you have come to know. The Jesus who saved you from yourself. The Jesus who interceded for you in your prayers. The Jesus who sent the right person at the right time to help solve a life-threatening situation. The Jesus who covered you with HIS love when no one else did. The Jesus who carried you through the last storm. The Jesus who inspired you to finish the project you have been working on for years. The Jesus who held your hand when your love one passed away. The Jesus who fills your cup daily with grace and peace. The Jesus who brings light into a dark situation. The Jesus who knows you better than yourself. The Jesus who shares HIS wisdom with you. The Jesus who holds you in HIS grip. The Jesus who is your hero and mentor. The Jesus who is your best friend. The Jesus who reveals to you Papa God and Holy Spirit. The Jesus who knows you better than anyone else. The Jesus who is rooting for YOU.

This is the Jesus I enjoy hearing about. This is the Jesus I like sharing with others. The personal Jesus. The Jesus who is alive and living in you and me. The Jesus who is moving history toward the culmination of a new heaven and a new earth as one. The Jesus who allows me to participate with HIM in HIS work. The Jesus who cares for you and wants what is best for you. The Jesus who steps up as an elder-brother and tells you the truth of a matter. The same Jesus who will stand up and fight for you. The Jesus who has your back. The Jesus who loves you more than anyone else.

This is the Jesus I want you to tell me about.

The real Jesus living HIS life in you and through you.

And I will share the same with you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

^{Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler}

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“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 17

There are people who do not believe in the historical evidence of the life of Jesus. Some believe he is a mythical person like Zeus or Thor. Others believe he lived, but was not a God-Man. He was not who HE claimed to be. They say he was a good moral teacher with helpful stories to share with the masses. Others deny he was crucified. They claim his disciples made a switch beforehand. That the Roman government made a mistake in killing the wrong person. Then many don’t believe HE was resurrected from the dead. That this is a made-up story which became a legend. They disregard any evidence.

What if Jesus was a historical lie? What if HE never arrived on planet earth and fulfilled the role of the Biblical messiah? How would that have changed history?

As we view history from the rear-view mirror, imagine the difference today. If there was no Jesus, then the disciples would never have gotten together. There would be no twelve apostles. Peter and his buddies would have operated a no name business in Galilee until their deaths. Judas may have lived to become a rich zealot. Maybe becoming a governor of a province. The apostle Paul would have grown old. He might have become the head guy for the Pharisee religious establishment.

There would be no written new testament. In fact, there would be no Christian religion. The Roman catholic church would never have existed. The Jewish faith though would have continued as a small, closed group. All the books written by the early church fathers would not exist. All the cathedrals, schools, and hospitals started by missionaries would never been established.

Thought leaders over the ages would have been influence by more humanistic ideals. In fact, many of these thinkers may have created another worldly religion. Hopefully someone would replace some of the holes Christianity filled.

Western civilization would not be in existence today. What we would have in its place in anyone’s guess. It would be a different world today than it is.

In fact, if you are of the Jewish orthodox faith, then we would be waiting for the Messiah. We would be wondering why God hasn’t recently spoken to us. It has only been some two-thousand, four-hundred years since Malachi was written (last book in the Old Testament).

Yes, life would be different.

But historical evidence does exist. No historical figure has been more scrutinized than the life of Jesus. The written manuscripts from the early church along with secular confirmations abound. The archeology discoveries continue to confirm historical facts. Even today, as people are introduced to Jesus, their lives are being transformed. This is a testimony of a living God confirming HIS story.

When one researches the evidence and is sincere to seek the truth, one can only acknowledge HE lived. HE died. HE was resurrected. HE ascended to heaven. HE claimed to be eternal while bodily on earth and HE continues to impact people’s lives today. As one learns to live in HIS presence, and seeks a relationship with HIM, one discovers life. An eternal Spirit living and flowing through them.

HE becomes the center of your life. Without HIM, there is no real meaning and purpose for life. HE is the reason for life. HE is like the sun rising each morning, HE makes everything fit into its proper place. This is why for believers all praise and honor are HIS.

Jesus gives purpose and meaning to life. Where there is no Jesus, there is only an empty life. When one comes to know Jesus, one then comes to know and experience real life.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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