Focus: He's All I Need!

Text: Act.9:5

"I am Jesus…"

The Lord reveals Himself to Paul as Jesus in a supernatural encounter that changed his entire life and perceptions. We all need an encounter with Christ, for real and vital change begins from there.

After such an encounter the Lord said to Simon Peter, "Blessed art thou, Simon…" Blessing is conferred on him. Jacob testifies to his son, Joseph, "God Almighty APPEARED unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and BLESSED me" (Gen.48:3). Wherever and whenever the Lord appears to you, He blesses you right there and then. Divine encounter connects us to divine blessing. Supernatural encounter with Christ is the secret of blessing.

Who is Jesus to you? Let me use the acronym of FAITH to pass this vital message to you of who Jesus is to every Christian.

*Finisher of faith

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Finisher of our faith. It is written, "Looking unto Jesus the author and FINISHER of our faith…" (Heb.12:2). Peter says, "Receiving the END of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (1Pet.1:9). Our faith will end in the salvation of our souls. Jesus is not just our Savior, He is our salvation. Our faith is embodied in Jesus Christ. Our faith focuses on the person of Christ, not on things.

*Author faith and salvation

Jesus is the author of our faith and salvation. In Hebrews 5:9, we read, "And being made perfect, he became the AUTHOR of ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them that obey him." In Hebrews 12:2, we read, "Looking unto Jesus the AUTHOR…of our faith." Without Jesus Christ there would be neither faith nor anything called salvation. Our faith begins and ends with Jesus Christ our Lord.

*Intercessor for the believer

Jesus Christ is in heaven right now, interceding for the believer as part of His high priestly assignment. He pleads for us before the Father as our advocate. Apostle John says, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1Jh.2:1). Hebrews 7:25 says, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." We have absolute confidence in the efficacy of His intercessory session in heaven for us.

*Teacher of truth

Nicodemus says, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a TEACHER come from God…" (Jh.3:2). He is teacher par excellence. He not only teaches truth, He is the embodiment of truth. The Lord Himself says, "I am… the truth" (Jh.14:6). The Pharisees said to the Lord, "Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth" (Mt.22:16). Matthew says, "He TAUGHT them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Mt.7:29). Dr. Luke says, "And he taught daily in the temple" (Lk.19:47). We never graduate from His class. He will forever be our teacher.

*Healer and helper

The Lord is our healer and helper. He says, "I am the LORD that healeth thee" (Ex.15:26). The psalmist declares, "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases… He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds" (Ps.103:3; 147:3). Isaiah says, "And with his stripes we are healed" (Isa.53:5). Peter adds, "By whose stripes ye were healed" (1Pet.2:24). Trust Him now to heal you. He is our trusted and reliable physician.

The psalmist says again, "Thou hast been my HELP; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation… Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our HELP and our shield" (Ps.27:9; 33:20). As we approach the throne of grace we shall obtain mercy and find grace to help us in times of need (Heb.4:16).

Yes, He is Jesus - the Finisher of faith, Author of eternal salvation, Intercessor for the believer, Teacher of truth, and Healer/Helper of his people. And He is more! Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter