When he walked the earth Jesus was different things to different people. To some he was the enemy. To others he was a friend. To some he was crazy. To others he was brilliant. To some he was a liar. To others he was Lord.

While Jesus, as the writer of the letter to the Hebrews says, "is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8), he didn't impress everyone the same way. But there does seem to be a common thread running through many of the people who were changed by Him.

There was Nicodemus, a sincere and truth seeking Pharisee looking for the way to God (John 3:1-21). Jesus told him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

There was the woman who had been caught in the very act of adultery and then used for political capital (John 8:1-11). Jesus said to the ungodly opportunists, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). He then told the woman, “Go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11).

There was the soldier whose faith put to shame those who should have known better (Luke 7:1-10). Jesus said of his complete trust, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith” (Luke 7:9).

There was the sister who had buried her brother and implied that Jesus should have done something to keep him from dying (John 11:17-27). Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

There was a thief on a cross asking for last minute favor (Luke 23:39-43). And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

They were people who needed what only he could give. Some of them knew it and some of them didn't. Some hadn't been looking for him when they found him. But after they found him they would never be the same.

While the reality, character and identity of Jesus can withstand the most searing scrutiny; those who will most often be blessed by him are those who come to him with hearts and minds yearning for truth, for help, for faith and for forgiveness. One great old gospel song implores, “O heart bowed down with sorrow! O eyes that long for sight! There's gladness in believing; In Jesus there is light…Earth's fleeting gain and pleasure Can never satisfy: Tis love our joy doth measure For love can never die…His peace is like a river, His love is like a song; His yoke's a burden never; Tis easy all day long.”

Maybe Jesus isn’t what you want him to be. But he is everything you need him to be. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). That’s what Jesus is to me.

God bless you,

Brad Fry