It has been often asked, “If you had a chance to meet and speak to any single individual, who would it be?” Yes, you guessed correctly! For me, it would be our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
What would I do and what should I ask if given this blessed opportunity? I would not want to waste even one second with Him and get right to asking questions. If you allow me a little poetic license, I envision that an interview with Jesus, might go as follows:
Darryl: What gives you credibility as God?
Jesus: Well, in John 1:1-5, the Bible states that in the beginning there was God, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. I am the Word and therefore God myself. Being here from the beginning gives me the qualifications as God. That scripture goes on to teach that all that was made was made by me and that there was nothing made unless I made it. Equally compelling is the fact that through me, mankind finds both eternal life and light to lead his way.
Darryl: How was your transition from Heaven to earth?
Jesus: Probably the scripture found in Matthew 4:1-11 describes it best. As I was preparing myself for the ministry, I decided to fast in the dessert. Who do you suppose came to tempt me? Yes, Satan. All the temptations he put in front of me, such as wanting me to break my fast by eating, asking me to challenge my relationship with the Father and enticing me with wealth and power (which Satan did not have to give me, as it was already mine) proved to be very disruptive. But my mission was clear, and my resolve was fueled by the Father. I was God, but now also a man, who would have to overcome temptations as a man, so I could better understand the plight of man. While tough on my transition, it was crucial that I remained faithful and obedient to God the Father so that I could remain without sin.
Darryl: How were you received and what was your message?
Jesus: As I began my ministry, I knew that the success of my work would be dependent on me finding others that could be taught and would then embody my teachings to guide others. The most difficult thing was to convince them to lay down their lives for the spreading of my Word. In Luke 5:1-11, you will see a glimpse of how I was welcomed. Although I had multitudes following me everywhere, as I traveled and I administered my work (Matthew 4:23-24). One of my greatest joys was when I was baptized by John the Baptist and my Father in heaven declared, “This is my son for whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17)!
Darryl: How did you feel about giving your life for mankind?
Jesus: I endured so much in my 33 years on earth; from hunger, to no sleep, to being abandoned, and even rejected in my own home town. Nothing, however, was as challenging when it came down to me giving my life for the sins of mankind. There is an excellent telling of this in the Bible found in Matthew 26:36-46. I had to grapple with my best friends falling asleep during my greatest hour of need. And even more difficult was my internal conflict of wanting to live, but knowing the will of my Father was to die for the world. As I stated, “Not my will Father, but thy will.”
Darryl: What do you feel you accomplished and how did you keep it going?
Jesus: Other than my shed blood washing the sins away for all those who believe and are baptized (Mark 16:16), I would say that all mankind that has accepted my Word are no longer slaves to sin, but are now fellow saints and citizens in the household of God, built upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles and me (Jesus) as their chief cornerstone. Keeping things going, alive and fruitful has been best accomplished by the sending of the Holy Spirit that was commissioned with convicting the world of its sin, righteousness, and judgement. The Holy Spirit took from my ministry and made it complete teaching mankind that which He heard from God the Father (John 16:5-15). Understand what the Bible says about me, “…there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Darryl: Thank you my Lord and Savior.
Comments