Just Jesus.
Leaning into the Word of God and wrestling with what is true means that I am pushing myself to take a new approach during my time with Jesus this coming year. For years, my quiet time has consisted of reading the Bible (I try to read it once through every year to a year and a half), completing Bible studies, and journaling my prayers. All of these activities have been good, the fruit exists, and my love affair with the Word of God continues. Yet, a feeling of discontentment is bubbling up. A strong desire for alignment of my world perspective, my passion for social justice, and the truth of God’s Word compels me to try something new this year.
It seems obvious, but I recently realized how little of my year is committed to studying the life of Jesus. I understand that the entire Bible is pointing to Jesus, so technically, I am studying Jesus throughout the year; however, the time I spend diving into and dissecting the Gospels is merely a blip. I want more. I need more.
I call myself a disciple of Jesus. I ask myself what would Jesus do. But at the end of the day, how well do I know Jesus? Who is He? Who were his friends and disciples? What did He say? How did He feel? What actions did He take? How do the four Gospels work together? How are they the same? In what ways are they different? Who am I to Jesus? How do I learn to love God and love others with a mindset tuned into Jesus?
One of my favorite sections in scripture is the Sermon on the Mount. It is ALL Jesus, and He is just laying out truth after truth. Just before Jesus begins preaching, Matthew sets the scene…
“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them”
Jesus’s friends, disciples, and the curious were sitting along the hillside. I imagine them jockeying for the best position and leaning in desperately wanting to hear what this new Rabbi had to say. He told stories, spoke truth, confirmed some of their beliefs, and completely turned some of their beliefs and traditions upside down. He spoke against the establishment and righted wrong thinking. Men quieted their voices, so His could be heard. Women calmed their environment by busying the hands of their children with stones and sticks because they didn’t want to miss what He was teaching. I want to sit still, quiet my voice, and calm my environment. I want Jesus. Just Jesus.
Jesus as my Rabbi - my teacher - requires me to sit at His feet and listen to His teaching. Jesus as my Shepherd requires me to take what He teaches and follow His leading. Jesus as my friend means that I need to develop a relationship with Him where I seek to intimately know Him. Jesus as my Redeemer, my Messiah, my Savior forces me to truly understand who He is and what His sacrifice means for me. It provides opportunity for me to evaluate who I am, what I believe, and the things I say and do.
Setting aside the time.
Inviting Jesus to teach me. To speak to me.
Walking with others so that we can encourage and challenge one another.
Striving to become more like Jesus.
Listening to His voice.
Asking questions.
Reading His word.
Opening my heart and mind to discern the truth.
Slowing down and resting in the presence of Jesus.
Seeking Jesus. Just Jesus.
Rediscovering Jesus and experiencing Him in a new way, I choose to change it up. Try something different. The discontentment with how I have always spent my time with Jesus is pointing me towards hyper focusing on Jesus. Just Jesus. I believe that there is so much left for me to discover, and it is my choice to take active steps towards pulling back the layers. Because of Jesus, my time with Him is never boring, always fulfilling (and convicting), and forever molding. It starts with me - actually, it starts with Jesus and it ends with Jesus. The year 2021 is my year of Just Jesus!