Is Jesus Enough?

After practically three years of not going to a Bible class, it is weird to be back in a classroom of my peers on a Sunday morning.  Although I definitely miss the youth ministry, I am really enjoying opening the Word each Sunday morning and discussing with my class.

This morning our class focused on Jesus as the messiah and the different images that people during Jesus’ time would have associated with that word.  Some thought the messiah was going to come and rule over them as a king.  Some thought the messiah was going to be a military leader.  Everyone had developed their own idea of whom Jesus was going to be.

When Jesus showed up, He didn’t fit the mold that most people had made for him to fit.  Jesus wasn’t what most people were expecting as a messiah.  In fact, Jesus was the complete opposite of what many of the religious leaders of the day were expecting.

We talked a little bit about how we sometimes mold Jesus into who we want Him to be.  We mold Him so that He is in support of everything we do or support.  We read Him into the image that we want Him to be.  We view Him in a way that keeps us comfortable where we are.  We pick out the scriptures about Jesus that keep us comfortable and we neglect the ones that might step on our toes or call us to change. 

So many of the old religious leaders missed the messiah because he wasn’t what they expected.  He wasn’t enough for them.  Today as we were leaving class, Josh left us with one final question to ponder, “Is Jesus enough?”  Is Jesus enough, or do we have other expectations that come along with Him? 

That question led me to think about the Garden of Eden and how the serpent deceived Eve.  Satan is really tricky.  He likes to make us think that God is holding out on us.  The serpent tricked Eve by convincing her that God was withholding good from her.  I think He tries to do the same to us today.  He tries to convince us that Jesus wasn’t enough and that God is withholding good from us. 

We sometimes think that we deserve Jesus + ___________________________.  Jesus + a good job.  Jesus + good health. Jesus + a big house.    Those things aren’t necessarily bad, but my hope is that I learn to say no matter the circumstance, Jesus you are enough.  Jesus asked His apostles to give up a lot to follow Him.  They gave up their homes, their families, their comfort, their normal routine and followed our Savior.  In the storm, Jesus you are enough.  On the mountain top, Jesus you are enough.  When this world passes away and we see our Savior face to face, Praise God, JESUS YOU ARE ENOUGH!

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

John 14:6

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  

John 16:33