Who is He to you?

I was reading this week in Luke chapter 9 when Jesus asked His disciples what the people were saying about Him and who He was. The disciples said some people thought He was Elijah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus said to His disciples “But who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20). This stood out to me.

How important is it that we see Jesus for who He really is and not just what others say about Him? This is personal. It will impact the way we receive from Him and our entire experience with Him.

I can remember times when I had a relationship with my Bible, but not necessarily with Him. In other words, I didn’t engage with Him as I read His word. At times, I have had a relationship with my problems and went into fight mode, inadvertently, without engaging the Lord. From what standpoint was I fighting, though? In myself. With gritted teeth and frustration, I went into a so-called faith fight. I was going through faith motions as a matter of discipline instead of through my relationship with Him, the author of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). I look back on those times and see that I was doing some of the right things, however my perspective was a little off. I was fighting something that was already defeated. I was overcomplicating faith. I had a wrong view of my part and His part in the equation. I wasn’t letting Him be who He is but was trying to work up the victory instead of letting Him be my victory.

This week in a church service I watched as people were ministered to by one of my awesome pastors. We enjoyed such an intense, sweet, thick, and tangible presence of the Lord. A specific word was given for those that needed ministry, and several people responded and came to the altar. When he came to a woman in a wheelchair, I watched as he prayed for her, and I was overcome with emotion. I started to cry but it was not just a natural emotion, it was from within. I don’t know her, and I don’t know the reason she was in a wheelchair. After she was ministered to, he reached out his hands and she took them and stood up. He was gentle with her. They started walking together and she stayed with him as he ministered to others. A little later he put his arm around her as if to say everything is ok – it was like a protective, healing, comforting, daddy hug. The ministry continued with more walking, hand in hand.

Suddenly I saw it this way. It was as if Jesus was the one who offered His hands for her to grab on to and lift her up. He was the one walking with her, hand in hand, helping her as she got stronger and stronger. Jesus was the one who hugged her, and as she leaned on Him, He washed away all the fear, worry, and pain. Jesus was the one that took His time with her, was gentle and protective. I wept more as I watched this unfold. In my mind’s eye, it was Jesus ministering to her and not a man. It was pure love. The Lord was ministering to me as I watched her receive what she came for.

It became so real to me in that moment of the love and compassion He has for us to walk with us through what we are going through. He is not upset with us. He wants to repair what is broken. He wants to be the one right beside us as we get stronger with each step, hand in hand with Him. He wants to take away all the feelings of insecurity, hurt, abandonment, fear of the future and whatever has us feeling stuck. He is so personal in His love for each of us.

I witnessed Him comforting, healing, and restoring people. This is a normal occurrence in our church services, and it is always a beautiful thing to see, but this time it was different. He showed me something deeply personal. He showed me who He was in that moment and not just what He does.

He is my comforter. John 14:26

He is my strength and shield. Psalm 28:7

He is my closest friend. John 15:13, 15

He is my protection. Psalm 91

He is my rock; the One I lean on. Psalm 18:31, 46

He is my redeemer, and He took away the curse for me. Galatians 3:13, Psalm 103:4

He is the great I Am. Exodus 3:14, John 8:58

Who is He to you?

I pray that as you engage with Him, He shows you how personal His love is for you and what you are going through. Lean into Him. Look to Him and walk with Him, daily.

If you came across this blog and you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please keep reading.

Maybe you have been to church or would say you were born into a Christian family, or you identify with Christian values, but you don’t have a personal relationship with Him. Being a Christian does not come through our family line or by agreeing with values and morals. It comes through a choice to receive what He did for you.

He loves you! He came to save you and me from eternal separation from God. The scripture says we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). There is nothing that can fix that except for a Savior. Religion will not fix our sin. Being a good person and trying to live a good life will not fix our sin. God, in His great love, sent His Son, Jesus for you and me (John 3:16). He made a way for the sin problem to be dealt with forever and for us to know Him. Jesus lived a sinless life, but He died on a cross as the worst sinner of all. He did that to take away my sin and yours because justice had to be paid. He became the sacrifice for sin and defeated it at His death. He was raised from the dead three days later and He is alive today. To experience eternal life with the Lord, heaven, and a personal relationship with Him, we make a choice, while we are still here, still alive. Here’s how.

If you want to receive Him now, pray this prayer from your heart, out loud. He is ready to show you who He is!

Dear God in heaven, I repent of my sins. I turn my life to you. I believe in Jesus and that He came to save me. He died for me on the cross and suffered for me. He was raised from the dead. I receive Him now as my Savior. I confess Jesus is Lord.

This is what Jesus called being born-again (John 3:3). If you prayed that prayer, you are saved! You are in the family and will be with Him forever!