Satisfied with Easter

Last evening, I attended my church’s Good Friday service. Our pastor challenged us with the question, “Who is this Jesus whose resurrection we celebrate each Easter?” As we were given time for reflection, I came across the passage of Scripture where Philip asks Jesus, “Show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”  Jesus answers him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still don’t know who I am?” (Jn 14:8 NLT)

I was brought up in a strong family of faith, a missionary family, and I don’t ever recall a time when I didn’t know about Jesus. I gave my heart to Christ at the age of seven. Having just had my sixtieth birthday, you could say I have known about Jesus for a long time. But Pastor Norm’s question last night, and the question put to Philip above do make me wonder just how well I know this person I’ve claimed as my Lord and my Master. For sure, knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus are not the same thing.

Last week I came across another verse in Proverbs that I’ve been thinking about ever since: "The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied.” (Prov 19:23 ESV)

If resting satisfied and truly knowing Jesus are connected, than I have good reason to question how well I know Jesus. I have to confess way too many 3:00 a.m. episodes of sleeplessness due to cares and concerns that keep me from a truly satisfied rest than I care to admit.

So what is there I still need to know about Jesus that I’ve been missing— that will lead to true, deep satisfaction? And how should my “fear of the Lord” eclipse the worries of my present circumstances so that I am able to experience consistent, contented rest?

These are the questions I intend to approach this year. Questions that I hope will open me up to seeing something new and true about Jesus and the deep, restful satisfaction He desires me to have in Him.

And maybe, just maybe, it it will change the way I approach the challenges waiting for me on my desk today!

Under His wings,

Jon