Lesson 24. Who Is Jesus?

One day Jesus began an interesting conversation with His disciples. We read in Mark 8:27–29: “And by the way He asked His disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art the Christ.”

Jesus was interested in learning the disciples’ opinion of Who He was. He asks each of us the same question about Himself. At the same time, Jesus chooses a moment when we least desire to speak about anything.

However simple this question may sound to me, my answer reveals the essence of my heart. From the Bible, I know how to answer and can even repeat Peter’s words from memory as though they were my own. It is not difficult for me to describe very beautifully Who Jesus is and how dear He is to me. To some extent, this will even be true. But Jesus will ask whether I love Him and whether I know Him. He will ask these questions in such a way that He discovers and exposes my true nature. Jesus will show me how hypocritical I am.

Two very similar expressions are often encountered: to know everything about God and to know God personally.

There is a significant difference between them. We must also pay attention to a third factor: to have God within the heart and to know Him within oneself.

Let us make a comparison. Many of you know me through my publications. Some of you have seen me personally and know what I am actually like. I am very well acquainted with many of you. But not everyone can call me a friend and declare that they are likewise friends to me. Yet some of you who have never seen me can honestly say that we are friends because a close relationship has developed between us. Merely knowing facts about a person or even knowing a person personally does not mean that we have a close relationship. Only friendly, trusting fellowship forms such a relationship.

When speaking of Christ, the same thing takes place between Him and me. I may know everything about Him, know Him personally, proclaim Him as my Savior, and even call Him my Lord and Friend. But Jesus may answer all this by saying, “I know you not,” and add, “Depart from Me...” These are dreadful words that will sound like a death sentence to some. A time will come when Christ must divide this world into friends and people who are not His friends.

In the last days, the question of Who Jesus is to me and what kind of relationship I have with Him becomes the most important and vital question. It does not matter what position I hold, where I live and work, what I do for God, or what I lead. If Jesus does not know me as a Friend, I am in danger of being lost.

Even in prayer, I may call Christ anything I desire—Friend, Savior, God, or Lord. I may declare my faith and live according to it while keeping my heart closed to Him. As dreadful as this sounds, it is precisely our mutual relationship with Christ in the last days that will become the determining factor in my salvation.

I once believed that my obedience to the law and faith in Jesus were the conditions of my salvation. But the words that Love is the keeping of the law left me perplexed. I understood that I did not possess love, and I became afraid. The saddest part is that agape love belongs to those qualities of the soul that I am incapable of producing within myself. I possess something human and personal, and I even know what it is. But God’s love is beyond my understanding. I simply do not possess it within myself.

But Jesus shows me the way out of what seemed to be a hopeless condition and fear. In the message to Laodicea, He describes me by calling everything by its proper name. He offers me the opportunity to buy from Him gold tried in the fire, which is faith and love, and then directly offers me Himself, His friendship, and a close relationship. Christ does not merely offer; He stands and knocks, and His voice is heard.

How can I allow Christ to enter? There is an answer. First, if I want this at all. Second, if I desire it. Third, if I thirst for it—if I need it.

Let us give an example. I am inclined toward a relationship in which I become a friend to each of you. I speak about this honestly and directly; my heart is open to it. But I cannot build such a relationship against your will. Therefore, I simply wait for your ACTIONS, which will tell me whether you have accepted me. Everything is not so difficult. The absence of an answer is a convincing answer to me. Have you understood? Have you heard? What will you do with me?

Now is the time to act.

When Christ knocks, my heartfelt words, “Come in, Lord,” will be the most convincing evidence and hospitable invitation for Him and for all Heaven. What more must I say? I have not been given the wording of a correct answer, but my desire to have Christ within my house and heart gives Him the right to enter my life.

There is another very good invitation for Jesus: “Lord, baptize me with Your Spirit and give me Your love.” The presence of love within my heart testifies to me and to the world that Christ lives within me.

Love fills my soul with meaning and confidence in salvation. Love is Jesus within me and I within Him; it is His words within me and my obedience to Him. Without Christ, I cannot fulfill even one commandment in its spirit, and in His eyes I will be a worker of iniquity, for which He will send me away as unclean. It is written that sin is the transgression of the law. We also read in Romans 13:10: “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

And so the choice is mine. Jesus has done everything to enable my decision. He has personally come to my door, where He stands and waits for my actions. He desires friendship with me. Jesus thirsts for a close relationship, and He dreams of becoming my personal Friend. What will I do with all this?

1. Please read John 3:16; 17:3; and 1 Corinthians 12:3.

2. What did you understand from this lesson?

3. Read Isaiah 54:5. What does it have in common with the message to Laodicea?

4. What did you personally hear in this lesson? What decisions did you make?

5. Who is Jesus to you personally?

6. Why is Jesus called the Savior? From what does He save?

7. What should I do if I understand that I do not know Christ personally?