During this time of year, everybody is busy. Maybe, we are too busy. We can easily forget Jesus Christ in all that we are doing. Jesus longs to keep us close to Himself. He longs to walk with us daily. We get busy with family, friends, work, and even church and we can quickly forget Jesus Christ.
- I look for salvation, but I forget the Savior.
- I look for comfort, but I forget the Comforter
- I look for blessings, but I forget the One who Blesses.
- I look for promises, but I forget the Promised One
- I look for guidance, but I forget the Guide.
- I look for provision, but I forget the Provider
- I look for protection, but I forget the Protector
- I look for love, but I forget the Lover of My Soul.
- I look for strength, but I forget the All-Powerful One.
- I look for peace, but I forget the Giver of Peace.
The early church also had a tendency to forget the Lord Jesus Christ. The Book of Revelation was written to seven churches. Five of these churches showed some definite signs of forgetting Jesus. Here is a verse that can refocus our thoughts and affections upon Our Lord Jesus Christ. “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” (Revelation 1:5)
1. Jesus Christ is Our Deliverer. “And from Jesus Christ” The name “Christ” is the word “Messiah” in Greek. This word has the idea of deliverer. Jesus came to deliver us from sin, death, and the devil. We no longer have to live under the penalty and dominion of sin because we have a new life in Jesus Christ. We have new life in order to pursue a close love relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus Christ is our Faithful Witness. “who is the faithful witness”. Jesus came to earth primarily to die on the cross for our sin; however, He also came to teach us the truth. Through Him, we learn the truth about God, ourselves, the future, the way of salvation, and many other important subjects. Our relationship with Christ enables us to see God and life more clearly.
3. Jesus Christ is the Conqueror of Death. “the first begotten of the dead”. As a pastor, I have done many funerals. These funerals are sad occasions; yet because of Christ’s resurrection, we know that there is hope. Death, for the believer in Christ, is the doorway to the presence of the Lord and Heaven. We don’t need to fear death when we walk with the One who conquered death.
4. Jesus Christ is Sovereign. “the prince of the kings of the earth.” Jesus is greater than any earthly ruler. No matter what happens in our nation, we know that Jesus is ultimately in control. One day, Jesus Christ will return to earth to reign over all those who have believed upon Him. The whole Book of Revelation is about the events before and after His coming. No matter what happens in our lives, we can remember that Jesus is ultimately in control.
5. Jesus Christ is the Source of Love. “Unto Him that loved us,” We don’t deserve His love; yet He loves us. The more we know Him, the more we will understand His love and the ways of His love. When we are full of anxiety, fear, discontentment and discouragement, these are signs that we have forgotten Jesus Christ and His great love for us.
6. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World. “And washed us from our sins in his own blood.” As the song writer wrote: “Nothing can wash away my sins, but the blood of Jesus.” Jesus took our place on the cross. His love is a love of action. He not only tells us that He loves us, but He showed His love by dying on the cross for our sins. He alone saves us from our sin. “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Many in the early church were religious, but they had forgotten Jesus Christ. Have we forgotten Him? Have we forgotten all that He is and has done? “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face and the things of the earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
“Dear Lord, I have the tendency to forget you amidst all that goes in my life. I may seek what you can give me, but I forget you. Help me, to seek you above all else. Thank you for all that you are and all that you have done. Amen”
Bible Treasures for Today 