Jesus.

…for you were made from dust and to dust you will return. Genesis 3:19

That verse from the very beginning, it puts us face to face with our mortality. We are here today, gone tomorrow (James 4:14). This life that we have is fleeting, so what is the point of all of it? To have a good life while we are here. To have purpose, to make a difference in this world. Not so that the world remembers me or you, but so the world knows Jesus. Knows who He really is, which leads me to the book of John.

I am reading through this book as Hosanna brings us through the gospels this year, a year with Jesus. And I gotta tell you, at first I was like, man, I already know this guy. I already know the goodness He has given me, I know His character. It’s why I say “yes” again and again. It is why I surrender my life over and over again. Because this guy named Jesus, He saved my life. But, here I am in a season where I find the people around me needing a refresh, needing to go back to the basics so to speak. Because so many people that I know right now are struggling with their faith, with their trust in God, with their struggle to even believe. So many people I know are struggling with their joy, their purpose, and their contentment. Why I think the book of John is so beautiful is because it reveals to us Jesus’ character. It helps us to know Him all over again, know who He is and know who we are in Him.

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” John 1:48

If you read through the book of John, which I highly encourage you to do, you will find exactly who Jesus says He is. You will find His “I am” statements. I think there are seven of them, but don’t quote me on that. There is so much love in these verses, love for you, for me, for all people. In chapter one alone we find that Jesus was there from the beginning, we find that He is the light of the world, full of grace and truth. And it is all good, so so good. I love that every time I read the Bible I get to learn more about Jesus and attempt to make a little more sense of it all. In this verse, John 1:48, we learn that Jesus sees us. He is among us. Just as He sees Nathanael far off under the fig tree, He also sees me. And He sees you. He is the God who holds the stars in His hands and also knows you by name. He knows your heart. He knows your sin. He knows your struggle. And He still loves you. Now that, that is some real truth. That is some real love. And that is more of what our souls need, what our hearts need, what this world needs. As we struggle through the darkness that we are in right now, we need more of Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God, He is the Son of Man. He is the stairway between heaven and earth. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

God will leave no one behind unless they choose to turn away from Him. He is chasing after each and everyone of us. He is after all of our hearts. He is for all of us. We are all His children. He loves all of us. And He wants all of us in His kingdom, in eternity with Him, in the promised land. I might currently live in paradise on earth, but it is nothing compared to what the paradise will be like once I am with Jesus forever. And honestly, I want you to be there too. I want you to get to experience all that Jesus has for you, not only in eternity, but today, right now. So, go read the book of John, get to know Jesus.

Love and blessings,