Throughout the Bible, Jesus is described in many ways and in my life, He has been revealing Himself to me. Below I will be sharing three discoveries that I’ve made so far in my journey with Him.
Jesus is relational.
Jesus is interested in a committed relationship with each of us. Just as the Bible reflects Jesus as the Bridegroom and the world (us) as the Bride (John 3:29).
His desire for us to know Him is incredible – just think about the sacrifice He made on the cross! He didn’t have to, He even asked God the Father to ‘take this cup of suffering away’ from Him. Nevertheless, the love that is in the Father is in His Son – Jesus – and He sought to accomplish His mission in submission, ‘Yet I want your will to be done, not mine’ (Luke 22:42). If that doesn’t scream, ‘I want to know you and you to know me!’, then I don’t know what does! Obviously, this passage screams much more but I hope you’re catching my drift here.
His entire ministry was relational, everything he did was with and for others. He had friends and like you and I, He was born into a family too (Matt. 1:18-25). He connected deeply with others to show them who He was and in turn who they truly are – sons and daughters of God (John 1:12). Above all, His relationship with His Father took precedence.
Jesus is our restorer.
The Psalms below has really grasped my heart lately and shows just how restorative our Jesus is:
When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!
We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!
Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert.
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
They will weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
Psalm 126 (NLT)
The journey in my relationship with Jesus has felt like this for me. He brought me back to Him (Jerusalem) out of exile (my brokenness) and began restoring the deep wounds of my heart. He has taught me how to tend to the garden of my soul and given me great pleasure in taking time to renew my mind (Rom. 12:2).
But like all of us who seek Him, our lives never remain the same. His desire is for our lives to become the light, that we no longer hide under a basket (Matt. 5:14-16) so that all can see His glory. And we can enjoy the harvest.
Jesus is Love.
Love is choosing to have selfless, chosen devotion to the wellbeing and happiness of others above ourselves (Ty Gibson, An Endless Falling in Love). I’ve been learning to open my heart to His love as I’ve seen glimpses of this in our time together – through words He showers over me and through His protection and providence. More than anything, I’ve seen this kind of love shift many of my relationships for the better. Love has also taught me that I am made to treat others in love and to be treated in love also – to let my nature become like His.
1 Corinthians 13 helps us to unpack His true nature, specifically verses 4 to 7. Though this passage is often used as a way for us to show love to one another, it’s also a way for us to see the deeper workings of God’s heart towards us:
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps not record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
Let’s apply this to Jesus:
- Jesus is patient and kind
- Jesus is not jealous, boastful or proud
- Jesus does not demand His own way (see Romans 8 also)
- Jesus does not rejoice in injustice but rejoices whenever justice wins
- Jesus never gives up (on us)
- Jesus never loses faith (in us)
- Jesus is always hopeful (towards us and for us)
- Jesus endures through every circumstance (with us)
I don’t know about you, but I want to have a relationship with Jesus, I want to know Him. He fills the voids in my heart that no one and nothing else can.
This is Jesus.
Amongst His infinite attributes:
- He is relational
- He is our restorer
- And above all – He is Love.
WRITER: Elsa Cangy, PA to Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.