Christmas is about Jesus. There are many other good things associated with Christmas: Shopping, decorations, Santa Claus, gift-giving, gift-receiving, Charlie Brown, Chevy Chase, decorations, cooking, eating, family—but these are all secondary things. If you want to experience Christmas, experience Jesus. To experience Jesus requires that you know him.
So, my question to you is this: “Do you know Jesus?” This is a more important and complex question than it first seems. It’s important because life and death hang on your answer.
It’s complex because there are counterfeits that confuse us. For example, knowing about Jesus can seem the same as knowing Jesus; but it isn’t. Being associated with the Jesus-esque things can seem the same as knowing Jesus; but it isn’t. Just like you might go to all of your favorite star’s movies or concerts, follow them on Twitter, follow their every news story and befriend them on Facebook; but if you show up at their home–you’re not getting in. That’s because, even though you know all about them and even associate yourself with them; you don’t know them.
When the angels announce Jesus’ arrival to the shepherds in Luke 2:11, they say, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Jesus comes as Savior and Lord. If you will know him, you will know him in these two relationships.
Again, I want to be clear because I love you and I want you to think clearly about this. Knowing that Jesus is the Savior and Lord is not the same as knowing Jesus as your Savior and Lord. You may know me as a husband; but you will never know me as your husband–and there’s a huge difference between the two. So, let’s think about Jesus as Savior first.
On our own, we are all drowning in sin’s grip, guilt and filth. We’re controlled by it (think: self-destructive habits, addictions, relational trouble, selfishness, etc.). We’re condemned because of it (think of your guilt before a just God). And we’re contaminated by it (think of your impurity before a holy God). Jesus’ perfect life and sinless sacrifice on our behalf frees us, forgives us and cleanses us when we ask him to save us from our sins.
Knowing Jesus as the Savior is knowing that this freedom, forgiveness and cleansing is possible. Knowing Jesus as your Savior is coming to him and receiving this freedom, forgiveness and cleansing.
Now, let’s consider Jesus as Lord. Acts 2:21 states, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” You must come to Jesus as both Savior and Lord to truly come to Jesus.
For Jesus to be your Lord means for him to have absolute ownership rights over you. It is living under his authority rather than your own, by his plan rather than your own, by his wisdom rather than your own, by his rules rather than your own.
Here’s the hard truth: If you do not know Jesus in these two relationships, you do not know Jesus at all. And what a wonderful Christmas this would be, to taste freedom from what enslaves you, forgiveness for the guilt you carry around, cleansing from the shame that covers you, and a vibrant new life as a follower of the Lord.
Four Types of People, Four Possible Responses
- If you already know Jesus this way, I encourage you: keep trusting him as your Savior. Keep following him as your Lord. What’s your next step in obedience to his lordship over your life?
- If you already know Jesus in this way, but have wandered away from him and have become distracted by the things of this world, I appeal to you: Return to him as your Savior and Lord. Are there any secret compartments of sin that you’re holding on to? Give them over to your Savior for freedom, forgiveness and cleansing. Are there areas of clear disobedience in which you need to confess and repent?
- If you’ve never entered into such a relationship with Jesus or if you’ve been duped by a counterfeit, learning about Jesus and yet never knowing him, I invite you to admit it and go to him. Ask him to save you. Ask him to lead you.
- If you don’t know where you stand, I invite you to pray right now, asking God to clarify it for you.
I’ll close with Jude 1:24-25, “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of this glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Discussion Starters
- Discuss the similarities and differences between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus personally.
- If applicable, share together ways in which you’ve been blessed by Jesus, either as your Savior or your Lord. (forgiveness, freedom from sin, direction, etc.)
- What are some practical ways in which we can encourage one another to continue to trust and follow Jesus?
- Have you ever wandered away from trusting and/or following Jesus? How did you return? Do you need to return now? If so, how can you do so?
- How did you first come to trust and follow Jesus? What circumstances/influence led to that decision? If you haven’t made that decision, are you ready to do so now?
- Have you ever been (or are you now) uncertain about your relationship with Jesus? How did you gain clarity? What questions do you have now?
