In what way do we most often think of Jesus? Do we think of him most often in terms of how he might help with our problems? Do we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking Jesus’ entire purpose is to make us happy?  Has mainstream Christianity lost a real, biblical view of Jesus in all of his glory!?

Our narcissism can cause us to think of Jesus only in terms of what we want. I can’t help but think we’ve made Jesus into this little action figure hero that we pull out of our pocket when we face problems so that he can get rid of all of those pesky problems, only to be put right back in our pockets as soon as the problems are gone. Is that who Jesus is? Or, we’ve made him into the ultimate soccer-mom, who’s purpose is to root us on from the sideline and fix our boo-boos if we get hurt. Is this all who Jesus is? No. He has His own great purpose for the universe, and there’s no greater purpose for which to live than to join Jesus, the supreme King, in His plans and His ambitions. There’s no greater joy and meaning for the life of the Christian than in Him.

Jesus’ very existence is not for our whims and pleasures! He doesn’t want us to use Him for what we want and think of him only in terms of our goals or desires. In fact, at the very heart of Christianity is self-denial. But not self-denial for the sake of self-denial. We don’t just punish ourselves or deny that we matter, by any means. What do we do?

We LOSE ourselves in the beauty and majesty and glory of who Jesus is. Have you lost yourself in light of glory of Jesus? Do you see Him as God, and as the Creator and Sustainer or ALL things!? Or, in your mind, does He exist simply to fill some small part of your life that wasn’t quite fulfilled, and that’s really all the bearing you want Him to have on your life right now?

Jesus does fill an incredible void. He does bring indescribable joy. Jesus does do these things, but not the Jesus we’ve made up in our minds! Only the true historical Jesus of the Bible will bring real purpose and joy to the life of the of Christian. Don’t be fooled into finding false hope in a fake Jesus. Find real hope; see Him as He really is! Trust in the real Jesus. This brings us to the question, Who is this real Jesus?

Jesus is the supreme God of the universe who, when seen and treasured as He really is, brings great purpose and glory to the life of the Christian.

 

Colossians 1:15-19

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

 

This is an adjusted excerpt from a message preached at Raintree Community Church on January 17th, based on Colossians 1:15-19.

For a full manuscript, as well as an audio recording of this message, click HERE.