Pastor Larry Sundin
Do you believe in Jesus? Seems like a pretty straightforward question. But you’d be surprised to know how many people don’t want to be asked that question. Recently, I came across a man–on–the–street interview, where a guy holding a microphone walks up to seemingly ordinary people on the street and asks them, “Do you believe in Jesus?” Most didn’t want to be bothered. They quickly walked by. Many gave a quick “No!” and turned away. Occasionally, he met someone who said, “Yes.” And that got me thinking. Maybe he’s asking the wrong question. Maybe he should be asking, “Do you know Jesus?” Or “Do you know who Jesus is?”
After all, when you ask, “Do you know who Jesus is?” most people have some idea. They might say something like, “Jesus was a great moral teacher.” Or that “Jesus was a good example.” Or they might say, “Jesus was a prophet.” Those are all pretty common answers given by people who know a little about Jesus, but don’t really know Him. After all, it was C.S. Lewis who once said, “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic … or he would be the devil of hell. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.” So, do you know who Jesus really is, and what he was really all about?
You see, that’s why we exist as a church. Rock Springs’ purpose as a cChurch is pretty straightforward. We like to say that we are people helping people become friends, family, and followers of Jesus. Why? Because Jesus came to live among us as One of us so He could show us what the Father is like. Therefore, when you look at Jesus’ life you see what God the Father is like. You see that He is full of compassion and mercy. You see that He is full of wisdom and grace. And you see that he came as a humble servant to serve us. In fact, God’s Word tells us that Jesus is God’s final word to man. In other words, God sent Jesus to us so He could communicate with us. He doesn’t want to leave you in the dark about who He is. He wants to make Himself known to you through Jesus. So, one of the best ways to learn about God is to listen to Jesus. For when you listen to Jesus you can know what God values, what He’s passionate about, what He delights in, and what’s really important to Him. When you listen to Jesus you can know God’s heart, you can know God’s mind, you can know God’s will for your life. And God’s will for your life is to come to know Jesus.
So, let me ask you: Do you know Jesus? If not, why not change that in the new year? After all, Jesus wants you to know him. For it was Jesus who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Rock Springs Church is a church about Jesus, and we’d love for you to discover him with us. We worship every Sunday in the ballroom at 9 a.m., and we’d love to have you learn about Jesus with us. Happy New Year!