Thomas Oden wrote: "The cross had to be carried and endured before it could be preached. Jesus came to become the sacrifice, not clarify the concept of sacrifice. He did not come to teach about the cross, but to be nailed to it. He came that there might be a gospel to preach." That's what I want us to consider this week as we prepare our hearts for the upcoming celebration of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. For us to get to celebrate, Jesus had to suffer. And that He suffered willingly deserves not only our attention; but also, our utmost gratitude and total devotion. One Wednesday evening, I quoted Gustavo Gutierrez, who wrote: "Being a Christian does not mean, first and foremost, believing in a message. It means believing in a person." That Person is Jesus Christ. I then stated that "Christianity is a relation to a person. It is not essentially an idea or institution." That Person is Jesus Christ. So, when I ask, "Do you know Jesus Christ?" I am asking a question very much like, "Do you know John Doe (put anyone you know there)?" Truth is, it is possible that I could point to some of you and say, "Point out John Doe in the congregation" and you would have to guess. Others could pick him out of the crowd, and say, "I know John Doe!" But if I follow that up with other questions like "where does he live?" or "what is his wife's name?" or "how many children does he have?" or "where does he work?" Many who claim to know him will have to admit they don't know him that well. Others may have the answer and say, "He lives in Melvin, His wife is Jane and he works at down at the Piggly Wiggly! I know John Doe!" But, if I follow up with still more questions like, "What is his favorite color? What is his favorite food? What does he like to do with his spare time? How does he drink his coffee (or does he even like coffee)?" Many of those who claimed to know him will have to admit that they don't really know John Doe. So, let me ask again, “Do you KNOW Jesus Christ?” That is the most important question you will EVER answer. Could it be that you know something about Him that you learned somewhere like Sunday School or Church or from your grandma? But you really don't know Him that well? Is it that you know quite a good bit of information about him – that you learned from stuff you read – maybe even the Bible? But, if pressed, you must admit, you don't really know Him that well? Do you know Jesus? Is there a Cross in your answer? Is there repentance, confession, faith and forgiveness in your answer? Is there transformation akin to a new birth in your answer? If not, you really don't know Jesus that well, do you?
