1 Corinthians 2:2 (NLT)
2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget
everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.
Matthew Henry’s commentary tells us of the Apostle Paul, He
determined to know nothing among them but Jesus Christ and him crucified-to
make a show of no other knowledge than this, to preach nothing, to discover the
knowledge of nothing, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Note, Christ, in his
person and offices, is the sum and substance of the gospel, and ought to be the
great subject of a gospel minister's preaching. His business is to display the
banner of the cross, and invite people under it. Any one that heard Paul preach
found him to harp so continually on this string that he would say he knew
nothing but Christ and him crucified. Whatever other knowledge he had, this was
the only knowledge he discovered, and showed himself concerned to propagate
among his hearers.
Above the apostle said he was determined to know
everything about Christ. As Christians, we are to build a relationship with
Christ. We are to know Jesus just as much or more than any close friend we have.
We learn about Him by reading The Bible, spending time with Jesus in prayer and
listening for answers to our prayers.
So I was intrigued the other day when I ran across an
article on the CNN news site that said, “Five you didn’t know about Jesus.” I
thought, let’s check these five things out and see whether I know them or not.
The five items listed were:
1.) Jesus
came from a nowhere little town.
2.) Jesus
probably didn't know everything.
3.) Jesus
was tough.
4.) Jesus
needed "me time."
5.) Jesus
didn't want to die.
Jesus came from a little nowhere town of Nazareth. Often
Nazareth is referred to as a village. Historians placed the population around
400 during the life of Christ. One hint that it was not a city of great culture
is when Nathaniel remarks to Philip, “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can
anything good come from Nazareth?”
Jesus didn’t know everything although he was God
incarnate. As Jesus was explaining to the disciples about a time when the
temple would be destroyed He said, “However, no one knows the day or hour when
these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.
Only the Father knows.” So there were things the Father knew, but Jesus himself
was not privy to.
As many of the time, Jesus was physically tough. The mode
of travel was usually walking and many times walking a great distance. The
occupation of being a carpenter was not easy. Everything was performed by hand,
from the cutting of the lumber to assembling the wood into something useful.
Often carpenters would even help with the construction of a home, so Jesus was definitely
in good physical shape.
Just like many of us, Jesus needed time alone. Jesus used
his time in several ways. At one point he spent 40 days in the wilderness
fasting so that He might draw closer to The Father. There were other times
Jesus spent time alone in prayer. Occasionally Jesus just needed time away from
the overwhelming crowds that followed Him and would retreat to a place of
solitude.
Most of us don’t want to die. Jesus wasn’t any different
from us in that regard, except He knew his purpose in life was to die for the
sins of man. One evening after Jesus had dined with His disciples he went to
the Mount of Olives where he wanted to spend time in prayer. There Jesus spoke
these words to The Father, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of
suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Jesus was
willing to do whatever God the Father asked of Him, yet he still asked if it
was possible for Him not to suffer and die. However, we know that Jesus followed
through with The Father’s desires and gave up His life freely so that we may
live an eternal life with Him in Heaven.
How did you do with the five facts? Did you know them? If
you missed a couple, it’s ok. It just shows we all need to learn more about
Jesus so we can become closer to Him.
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