Who Is He?

Several years ago I was coming to the end of twenty-four months serving away from home as a missionary for my church. I had spent full months knocking on doors, talking to and teaching people about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Yet--I had a nagging question in my mind: Who Is He?

I felt the compelling need to know Him, to be able to respond to an inquiry about Jesus of Nazareth much like I would answer a question about a friend--sharing the facts of where they live, where they come from, what they do--and being able to describe in detail their personality.

With that stark question in my mind, I began to pray differently. I ultimately began to see differently. While the scriptures certainly came to life, I distinctly remember recognizing Christlike traits in those around me. Through knowing them at their best, and seeing the grandeur of their characters revealed, I came to see Christ in them. I felt I came to know Him.

It's no coincidence to me that Jesus taught we experience eternal life when we know "the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom [He] has sent." How well do you know Him? How could adjustments to your worship help you come to better know Him?

Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives

In 2017, then-President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles extended a special invitation to the young adults of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

"I invite [you] to let the scriptural citations about Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide become [your] personal core curriculum."

I felt inspired to take on the task--and now, nearly 36 months later, I've completed that exercise.

 

I have read and marked every verse cited about Jesus Christ in 57 different subheadings as cited in the Topical Guide. What has that meant to me? What follow are initial impressions: 1) I feel closer to the Savior. His titles and names now carry a weight and significance to them that I feel more reverent when using them.

I feel closer to the Savior

2) I'm struck by the repetition and consistency of God's dealings with men. In teaching of coming the Savior, God established several types or models that prophets, men and women could readily recur to, which made Christ real to them. The trial of Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son, the symbolism of the Passover and the sacrifices of the Mosaic law, the brass serpent, the water from the rock--all foreshadowing a great and last sacrifice, a Lamb of God, the sprinkling of us through the atonement, the Son of Man being lifted on the cross, Christ's role as the Rock in our lives providing us living water. 3) Related to that, I'm struck by Jesus' reference to scripture. More than knowing the scriptures so he wasn't embarrassed in front of others, He used the scriptures as His living water- His defense, His guide. When He taught, He directed glory to His Father by testifying of Him--but also by reinforcing the truths that had already been shared about Him. 'It is written...' is such a powerful, humble acknowledgement of scripture, but of the ultimate source of that scripture. 4) Finally, even immediately after I completed the exercise- I felt a clarity of thought and mind that I haven't experienced for some time.

"God hath not given us the Spirit of Fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7

I'm reminded that God wishes to have a powerful people. I'm grateful for the power I've felt from Him. I'm reminded why I'm given that power:

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye shoudl go and bring forth fruit." - John 15:16

I'm grateful to have better come to know my Savior through this exercise, and look forward to continuing to come to Him.