The Name Jesus Is Loved, Hated, Misunderstood, Disdained, Judged, and Invokes Many Other Feelings.
For me, I just did not know him, what his death meant or why it was so needed. Yes, I understood in my mind that he died for our sins, but I did not understand this in my spirit and soul. My journey to finding Jesus and reconciliation with him was going to be my key to salvation. When I left the Catholic Church or was compelled to leave, I had no idea where God was leading me. I left kicking and screaming, “Are you sure God?”, but I left and went on a quest to find a new church home.
Each Sunday I got up, dressed up, and began to visit churches in my immediate area. Strange things happen, either I could not go in, the church was locked, or I missed the service. Finally, I found an open church, because I saw people going in. So, I told God I am going to this church and parked my car. I sat down and immediately felt God’s presence. For me, this was divine intervention because God knew I needed to grow in my faith, and it would not happen for me in the Catholic Church. I was just going through the motion without Jesus. Others have found Jesus at the Catholic Church, but I needed more structured teaching. I needed more time in the word if I was going to find Jesus and be reconciled.
My journey to finding Jesus and reconciliation with him was going to be my key to salvation.
Jesus Saved The World
Jesus died for our sins and in doing so He saved the world. We must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Repent of our sins and sin no more. We are also commissioned to go and share this good news. What is this good news and where can it be found? The Bible of course. It is where we will find and meet Jesus where He shares the Gospel. The reason He was sent and why He was so desperately needed. Jesus came for sinners so that we would not perish.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV
The Journey To Finding Jesus And Reconciliation
I began a journey that started out by me filling out a simple contact card. I never share my personal information with strangers, but I felt compelled to learn all about this church and the people that attended. Then I immediately started a bible study where everyone around the room talked so openly about Jesus. I raised my hand and asked, “Who is Jesus?”, for I had never heard anyone speak about him this way. Why was he so important and revered? Why was everyone speaking of him with such great love? What was I missing after all these years? I knew God, I loved God, I talked to him every day, but I did not know this Jesus.
This sent me on a quest to find Jesus. This very special person was so loved. I had to know why he was so important to the church. Why did so many feel this way about him? What did I miss in all my years attending church? Why did these people know something that I obviously missed? Finding out Jesus saves and the reconciliation I needed to have.
During bible classes for new Christians, I began to learn about salvation, the meaning of the cross, how to be saved. Basically, the importance of Jesus, but it was still head knowledge. I wanted and need to know Jesus. After I began to believe all that the Bible said I began to go looking for Jesus. I found him in the Old Testament, I found him in the New Testament, but I began to find him in my heart. To love him for loving me, for his ultimate sacrifice, and for saving me.
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
What I Found In Jesus And My Reconciliation
Jesus is more than just a season he is a ministry of reconciliation, so I am so grateful to God. A God that loved us so much that he did not forsake us but made it his mission to save us. All we must do is believe. In my case, find and believe what the name Jesus meant besides just someone who died on a cross for sin. My sin. It is personal. It is love.
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5:18
I found Jesus but I continue to learn more, love him more, and know his love for me, you, and the world. Today, I have embraced him with all my heart because to know the son is to know God.
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17
I read the Bible every year, sometimes it takes me longer. I also try to read a different version of the Bible each time, but sometimes I don’t, I just re-read the NIV or ESV versions. Each time a new passage speaks to me as if I never read it before. Such as,
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15
This passage helped me so much with understanding who Jesus was. He is God. The God that I know lives in Jesus. Please read my blog Signs of Growth regarding growing your relations by reading the Bible.
Love and Blessings,
Sabrina
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