We need Jesus like we need oxygen. Like we need water. Like the branch needs the vine. Jesus is not merely a figure for devotions. He is the missing essence of your existence. Whether we know it or not, we are desperate for Jesus.
In John Eldredge’s book Beautiful Outlaw he describes Christs’ characteristics, His life, and His love in such a vivid way. Unconventional, yet refreshingly frank and true.
Most of my life I had this image of Jesus that looked more like the painting we all have seen portraying a sort of benign individual. Long flowing hair with perfect attributes. That’s just not the Jesus of the Bible. He’s so much more than that.
“To have his life, joy, love, and presence cannot be compared. To know him as he is, is to come home. A true knowledge of Jesus is our greatest need and our greatest happiness. The purpose of your being here on this planet, at this moment in time, comes down to three things:
1) To love Jesus with all that is within you. This is the first and greatest command. Everything else flows from here.
2) To share your daily life with him; to let him be himself with you. On the beach, at supper, along the road—just as the disciples did.
3) To allow his life to fill yours, to heal and express itself through yours. There is no other way you can hope to live as he did and show him to others.
Love Jesus. Let him be himself with you. Allow his life to permeate yours. The fruit of this will be … breathtaking.”
And that’s the memo.
Steve
