Dear brethren,

In 1925 Bruce Barton wrote one of the best-seller non-fiction books of the 20th Century titled, "The Man Nobody Knows" In it he depicts Jesus in way most do not imagine Him.  He writes of Jesus as a strong salesman. 

Most are brought up with a mental picture of Jesus as "a physically weak, moralistic man, and the 'lamb of God.'"  Barton painted Jesus as "the world's greatest business executive", and according to one of the chapter headings, "The Founder of Modern Business," who created a world-conquering organization with a group of twelve men, hand-picked from the bottom ranks of business." (Wikipedia)

The world has trained us to think of Jesus with long flowing hair, a sweet boy with petulant lips, and with a feminine demeanor.  He is not viewed as a rugged young man of Galilee who climbed the mountains which descended to the sea He fished with friends.  Nor is He viewed as the strong man who apprenticed and practiced the craft of carpentry with His stepfather, Joseph.  Most think they know Jesus, but do you know Jesus Christ?  Do we have a relationship with Him?

The night Christ was taken to be crucified he prayed to the Father, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (Jn. 17:3)

It is imperative that we come to know the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Peter commands all true disciples, "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." (II Pet. 3:18)

It is not enough to accept Him as Our Savior, and to know by His shed blood we are forgiven of sins.  We must intimately come to know Him by answering the following:

1.       Why did He come in the form of man?

2.       Who sent Him and Who is He?

3.       What is His Character?

4.       Why is it important for us to become like Him?

Without knowing Jesus, we cannot come to know the Father in Heaven, and as Jesus prayed 'eternal life' is to know the Father.  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (Jn. 14:6)

The disciples still did not fully understand what He meant.  Philip asked Him to, "Show us the Father," and that would be sufficient for us.  Jesus said, "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." (Jn. 14:7)

Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'"?  (14:9)

Jesus Christ was the exact replica or the express image of the Father. (Heb. 1:3)

We must make a real effort to come to know our Great Savior in order to know the Father.   We are commanded to become perfect as our Father is perfect.  The only example we have to look to and follow is that of Jesus Christ. He is set before us as the WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.

Have a delightful Sabbath and weekend!

Your servant and friend,                                                                          

Jim Tuck