More than words

Christian leaders often talk about reading the bible. They say it’s good for you to have verses you can quote and reference back to. In fact, they are so passionate about it that it can sometimes seem like they are forever banging on about it, pushing the latest daily reading subscription onto whoever they can get to listen.

OK, so they’re not all like that. To be fair, most are fairly sensitive about how they do it, and they only quote the bible in conversation when it’s really relevant. And it is kinda they’re job to start people off on their relationship with God.

Because that is what reading the bible is: the place to start. The only place to start, but it is just a starting point. We read the words and they can just stay stories or poetry. Or we can be filled with knowledge in our heads about who the bible says God is, which Jesus is. But head knowledge will only get you so far. When life gets tough (as most people will experience in some form or another) or when things happen that don’t have am easy explanation, head knowledge will only get you so far before leaving you desperate for something else.

The bible was written to start you off, but you have to experience God for yourself. Yesterday I quoted from Isaiah some of the names of Jesus which particularly come out at Christmas. , Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

And there are plenty more names for God throughout the bible. Lion of Judah, Rock and Refuge, Comforter to name a few. If you can’t think of many, take a glance through the Psalms, there are plenty of examples if titles for who God is there.

Yesterday I asked you who Jesus is to you right now. Which title is most appropriate for your relationship with Jesus, for what he has done and who he has been to you this year?

And I asked this to get you thinking beyond the words. Not who others say He is, not just what you read in the bible, but specifically who He is to you. Thunk back over your year and try to think where God has been. Better yet, ask God to show you.

For me, yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace and all those other things. But when I look back over the last year, what strikes me most is that He has been my Protector. Not that I haven’t had any trouble this year; this year has pushed me to the end of my endurance, with knock back following knock back (or so it has seemed at times) but through it all the right person or people have been in the right place at the right time, doors have opened to get me somewhere new just when I needed them to. And after all of it, I am still standing. No, it’s not been the year I was expecting. No, I don’t understand why it happened the way it did.

But the thing that happens when you go beyond the words, when the head knowledge reaches your heart is that belief sustains you. I know in my heart that God will never abandon me. I know in my heart that God is before and behind me. Therefore, I know in my heart that God has had my back all through this year.

So, I ask again. Who is Jesus to you?