It is not outside the realm of possibility that someone could ask you, ‘Tell me about this Jesus you talk about.’ How would you respond to such a question? My default response might be, ‘Pull up a chair; this will not be a brief conversation.’ Why? Because Jesus is a historical figure and there is so much that the Bible tells us about Him. More vital, though, He’s my Savior, my friend, and my life, today.
To know about Jesus is essential. It’s foundational to understand His divinity, teachings, miracles, and the path He walked leading to the cross. Our faith is built on these historical truths, including our recent series on the Parables and Miracles of Jesus. For instance, the story of Jesus healing the blind man in John 9 demonstrates Jesus’ power but also the purpose of His power, the salvation of the blind man. The man’s understanding of Jesus evolves from seeing Him as a mere ‘man’ to recognizing Him as ‘a prophet,’ and finally acknowledging Him as ‘Lord,’ leading to worship.
But knowing about Jesus is just the beginning. Just as we don’t define our closest relationships by mere facts, our relationship with Jesus transcends historical data. When asked about Suzanne, I wouldn’t start with her birth date or height. Instead, I’d share stories that reveal her character and our shared experiences—how she loves camping, improves every environment she’s in, and her deep love for our family. I’d recount our quiet moments by the lake, planning for the future, and simply enjoying each other’s company.
In the same way, our relationship with Jesus is personal and dynamic. We should be able to describe Him not just as a figure from history but as our Lord, friend, and life.
