There are several songs that are commonly sung in worship, songs which boldly proclaim that Jesus is all that we need. There are also scriptures which state that our total sufficiency is in Christ. Yet many times we glance over those words without truly comprehending the fullness of what they mean.

 

This is an area worthy of much meditation because the more that we behold Jesus, the more we are transformed into the same image, as stated in 2nd Corinthians 3:18.

 

Today there is a specific area of Christ that I want to show to you, and that is the area of His completeness, and how you are complete in Him, and as you see Him in His glory, you too shall also be transformed, by His great power.

 

When we look at the life of Jesus, there are several interesting points for us to see. The first of which is that although He is the absolute King of kings and ruler of the universe, He has chosen to become our divine Servant and to sacrifice Himself for us. Think about it, every single one of His miracles was for our benefit in one way or another. Either through some divine provision, or a healing, or even to alleviate our suffering. When you learn about His life from the scriptures, you can see His compassion and His love for you from every angle… and believe it or not, this is a big area of Jesus that many people have been missing even back in Bible times.

 

The disciples for example; they walked with Jesus, talked with Him, ate with Him, they even lived with Him and were directly taught by Him. Yet in more than one instance they failed to recognize His love for them, nor His willingness to exercise His power on their behalf.

 

There is an interesting area of scripture that helps us understand why the disciples had this particular attitude, and it is worth exploring. Let’ read John 17:1-4:

 

“These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you:

As you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.

And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.”

 

There are two areas in-particular for us to see here. First we can see the power of Jesus, and how verse two states how Jesus has power over all flesh.

The second thing for us to see here is His love for us. What does He do with His power? He gives us eternal life, that we may know the Father and Jesus.

 

Now this word “know” used here is extremely interesting, it is much more than a simple familiarity, but a deep intimate relationship from the heart. And this explains why the disciples behaved the way that they did… They were familiar with Jesus, but they did not have a revelation from the Holy Spirit of who Jesus actually was, or His true love for them. They did receive that later, and it is very interesting to see the transformation from their pre-Holy Spirit and post-Holy Spirit behaviors.

 

Now let’s contrast the early disciples, with the Roman Centurion whom Jesus said had great faith. This man met Jesus one time, whereas the disciples spent large amounts of time with Him. This centurion was not taught directly by Jesus, whereas the disciples were taught directly by Jesus. This man as far we know had not personally witnessed any miracles, while the disciples saw many miracles with their very own eyes.

 

However, the big difference here was that the centurion was intimate with the heart and character of Jesus, while the disciples were merely familiar.

 

My friends, there are many believers today who are simply familiar with Jesus wile not recognizing His true nature nor His love for them, and without this security of resting in His love and power they are being tossed by the storms of life, never reaching for His caring hand of love.

 

If you recall the verses that we read in John 17, verse 3 states that eternal life is to truly “know” the Father and Jesus, not to merely have a passing familiarity with Him, but to have a deep relationship as the Roman Centurion had. The Centurion knew Jesus, the disciples were merely familiar.

 

Our completeness in Christ comes only when we have that heart relationship with Him, because that is when He is able to work. When we are resting in Him, He is working, and when we try to work through our own self-effort that is when God rests.

 

Today, let us take the time to remember who Jesus really is, and who He is for us. That though He is the God of the universe and beyond, He delights in serving us. Let us also remember what He has made us… we are righteous by His blood, and healed by His body, we are redeemed by His grace and loved by His tender mercy. He is our Father, and or friend, as well as our God and our LORD. Powerful trustworthy, kind and true; and we are complete in Him.