The Most Important Question You’ll Ever Answer
Phyllis’ pre-teen body had always been frail from her sickle-cell anemia. Her frailty was further exacerbated by a lack of proper nourishment due to her mother’s neglect. In addition, her brother received all the attention and affection in the family.
By all accounts, hers was a difficult life. But what Phyllis had was a stout faith in Jesus that produced great joy and peace in her life.
Phyllis was one of the first to show me a vital truth: Who you believe Jesus is matters. It will determine where you find ultimate hope and what anchors you in every season.
WHO IS JESUS?
Paul wrote a letter to the saints in Colossae to help refocus them on the gospel of Jesus amidst some heresies looming in their time. Paul understood that it is the truth of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done that keeps us from straying into tantalizing yet false beliefs.
In Colossians 1:15-23, Paul writes,
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
In these verses, we learn that Jesus is divine (v. 15). He is fully God. While humanity is created in the image of God, Jesus is God. To state that he is the “firstborn over all creation” means he is supreme over creation.
Jesus is the agent and context of creation (v. 16-17). All creation is to serve and glorify him. Jesus is supreme over all thrones, powers, and authorities in heaven and on earth.
Jesus holds all things together: unity and purpose originate and continue in him. Jesus sustains the cosmos, and it is in him alone that there is unity.
Jesus is supreme over the Church (v.18). He is her anchor, sustenance, and reason for existence, and he alone is to be worshiped. To worship another is idolatry!
In the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelled in the temple, and in this passage, we learn that Jesus fulfills the role of the temple, as the presence of God dwells fully in him (v.20).
Jesus is fully human, and he took on the punishment we deserved by dying on the cross for our sins to reconcile us to God (v.21). We are to continue believing in Jesus’ finished work and stay in this gospel, which rescued us from alienation and hostility due to our evil deeds.
SO WHAT?
Why is it important to understand that Jesus is fully God, fully human, the agent and context of all creation, and the reconciler and mediator between God and man?
Why does this matter?
Due to our budding friendship and my mother’s desire to feed her and listen to her, I learned a lot about what made Phyllis tick. I was able to see why, for someone with so much suffering for a pre-teen, she seemed to be lit up on the inside. Jesus was always on her lips. She was full of faith that despite the earthly struggles she faced, God was inherently good, and he was closer than her very next breath.
I was intrigued by this young girl’s faith. One evening, as we walked around our small town in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya, a stray dog began to follow closely behind us. If you know anything about how we in Kenya feel about stray dogs (they aren’t pets), you know it wasn’t an opportunity to investigate the breed of this mongrel or pet it. I looked behind me and positioned myself to sprint hastily away in fear.
Noticing my trepidation, Phyllis reached for my arm and said to me, “No, Njeri, we do not fear. Let’s ask God for help.” She burst into prayer and a song of worship. I thought she’d certainly lost her mind and we’d have some bites to tend to when we got home, but the dog left us alone. I distinctly remember this moment as one of the many occasions Phyllis pointed me to Jesus.
“Abundant life is found in knowing and following Jesus.”
I learned from her that abundant life is found in knowing and following Jesus.
Jesus’ identity necessitates a response from us all. For me, this happened when I was 16 years old. I had been attending church services my whole life, but one Sunday morning while staring at a gigantic crucifix at the front of the church, I thought to myself, “If this Jesus did really die for my sins and was raised to life on the third day and is Lord, then I have to submit my entire life. I can’t just give him two hours on a Sunday and do what I please the rest of the week.”
God saved me out of a life of sin, which included empty rituals to be “good” and righteous by my own means and standards. Perhaps your story is different. But regardless, we must all reckon with Jesus’ identity. It’s the most important question we should ask ourselves—”Who is Jesus?”— and the answer has eternal consequences.
A HOPE AND AN ANCHOR
Phyllis modeled a faith that produced joy amidst rejection, illness, and suffering. Her faith in Jesus produced in her joy, bravery, peace, and a conviction that whatever trials she faced were a drop in the ocean compared to God’s magnificent grace. She would often tell me of Jesus’ love, and from her radiant face and difficult yet joyful life, I saw the transformative power of knowing and following Jesus. As a teenager, she passed from this life into the arms of Jesus, who’d first loved her.
The proper response to the revelation of the truth about Jesus is worship. He is worthy of it! If you know him, rejoice that this treasure is yours and that you have been adopted into God’s family. God has settled your debts!
If you have yet to respond in verbal confession that Jesus is Lord and belief to be saved from God’s judgment of your sins, I plead with you to consider Jesus. Turn from your sins and place your faith in him.
For it is in him alone that true life is found.
Cynthia Mathai (M.A., Ministry & Leadership) is a disciple of Jesus who lives in Portland, Oregon. She is a Higher Educational professional who also teaches God’s Word at women’s retreats/ conferences and enjoys writing. She has served on staff with Verity Fellowship (now The Gospel Coalition’s Women’s Training Network). She worships with the saints at Trinity Church of Portland. Follow Cynthia on Twitter.