“Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.” (Mark 7:13 BSB)
“Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:23-34 BSB)
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58 BSB)
When Jesus referred to himself as “I Am” it infuriated the surrounding religious leaders. How dare he compare himself to the Father?!? The most amazing thing about this is that he did not make this comparison from the position of personal deity. He made the comparison from the position of humanity as the “son of man.”
As a man, Jesus defined what the Father’s design and desire was for all mankind when He created Adam and Eve. As I see Jesus clearly I am also seeing the Father, and myself. Jesus is one with the Father, and I am one with Jesus. Therefore, through Jesus I am once again connected to the Father just like Adam. I am not separated from my Creator. He is not separated from me. That is mind blowing!
Religion is man’s attempt to define, in terms understandable to the mind of man independent of the Mind of Christ, things that are only understood through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. We continually try to put God in a box made by human hands. We interpret scripture, create doctrines, water down theology, and redefine Christ, to fit into our limited capacity to understand and believe.
So, here is the beginning of what the Spirit is teaching me about the Jesus that He longs for me to know…
…Jesus lived perfect theology.
…Jesus taught divine doctrine.
…Jesus revealed the Father’s design and desire (Will) for His creation.
…Jesus demonstrated what it looks like to live as a man, submitted to the Father, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Everything that I think and believe about the Father needs to line up with Jesus. Everything I think and believe about myself needs to line up with Jesus as well. There is so much to say, however it seems the Holy Spirit wants me to pause.
Until tomorrow, Holy Spirit open my eyes to see, and share, Jesus as I ponder…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 112: “Only when I truly see Jesus am I able to accurately see the Father, myself, or those around me.” Part 2: I Am unlocking true identity