The Jesus We Want vs. The Jesus We Need
Imagine a young boy from Nazareth, known to the local community, growing up with skinned-up knees and a questionable family background. Yet, as an adult, He claims to be God and forgives sins with a simple statement. This was the reality that outraged the religious leaders of His time.
A Question of Authority
When Jesus asked these leaders, “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?”, He was met with resistance and skepticism. They had watched Him grow up and couldn’t accept His claim to divinity. To them, it was inconceivable that this “snot-nosed kid” could forgive sins.
The Chasm in Our Hearts
We are not much different from those leaders. Often, there is a wide divide between who Jesus really is and who we want Him to be. We may want the love and comfort of Jesus, but not His justice or interference in our daily lives. We may trust Him with our eternal destination but refuse to let Him guide us in our everyday decisions.
The Simple Fact
However, the truth remains: Jesus is God, capable of healing the sick and forgiving sins. True followers of Jesus refuse to define Him by their own desires and instead allow Him to be the God He is.
A Prayer of Surrender
As we reflect on our own relationship with Jesus, let us pray: “Lord, I confess my tendency to create You in my own image, rather than allowing You to be the God You are. Open my eyes to Your truth, teach me Your ways, and help me to follow You with a pure heart. Amen.”
Embracing the Real Jesus
Let us strive to close the gap between the Jesus we want and the Jesus we need. Let us surrender our preconceptions and allow Him to reveal Himself to us in all His glory. Only then can we truly experience the depth of His love and the power of His forgiveness.
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