The walk, the talk & the testimony

IF YOU TOOK what Jesus said about himself without any other context, you would think he was crazy.

It’s completely understandable to say we should live life a certain way. The wise among us have been saying this for centuries.

It’s a whole different thing though if someone says, I AM THE WAY.

Jesus said:

“I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”

“I am the light of the world.”

“I am the bread of life. “

“I and the Father are one.”

“I AM.”

Who says these kinds of things? These are either the words of a deranged egomaniac or they are true.

If they are true, what proof do we have?

We have the testimony of the man.

Jesus never sought political power or riches. He lived hand to mouth. He could have led a revolution or built a cult following. Instead, his focus was the marginalized, the broken, and the poor. No worldly advantage interested him.

Jesus’ moral teaching was incredibly simple, solid, and profound. He lived his teachings to the letter. And at the center of Jesus’ teaching was truth. If his life testimony was solid, then so were his words.

He spoke of truth and transparency.

So when Jesus said he was the Son of God, it was like any of us saying we are the child of our parents.

This isn’t grandstanding or crazy talk. It’s simple truth.

Everything lines up: the talk, the walk, the identity.

Jesus was who he said he was, and he walked the walk.

There have been many wise teachers, but none ever made the claims that Jesus did about their identity with the life testimony to back it up.

You might think, but why did he have to say this? Couldn’t Jesus have just taught and led by example?

Let’s look at it this way. When great spiritual and moral leaders live and die for their principles, the impact is great.

But what if the same person was truly God himself? And what if that sacrifice was made for my sins and all the sins of humankind?

What then?

It all takes on a massive dimension that goes far beyond just good life lessons.

Only God can defy death and rise again.

And the resurrection of Jesus Christ becomes your core, life transforming truth.

The Man truly becomes the way.

And when you encounter the way, you have a clear direction.

You can go to him for the most truthful and honest advice ever.

You can go to him when you are hungry and tired, and he will nourish you.

You can go to him when the hurt is so deep and nobody else can possibly understand you, but he can.

You can go to him when forgiveness and restoration seem impossible, and he will work the impossible.

He will cleanse you and set you free.

It pierces your heart.

And overwhelmed by his loving mercy, you fall to the ground and worship him.

Jesus said,

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

So never be hungry.

Never be thirsty.

Never be left in the darkness alone again.

Talk the talk and spread the Gospel.

Walk the walk and have a solid life testimony.

Be secure in your identity as a child of God.

Journey along the way that leads to life eternal.

Let the Lord raise you up.

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