If Only You Knew ...

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10 ESV).

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I think we, as human followers of Christ, forget who it is we worship. (I know I do.) When at the well in Samaria, the woman came in the middle of the day so that she didn't have to interact with other women who likely would have scorned her existence. After all, she had been married multiple times and was living with a man she had not married.

This statement makes me think, just who is this man?

Even the disciples realized he was more than his appearance. "And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'" (Mark 4:41 ESV). 

So who is this man?

It's an easy question to answer, but difficult to wrap the understanding around for most people.

Shortly after I'd surrendered my life to Christ (1984), I couldn't stop singing to Him. My favorite song to sing, as loud and bold as I could was How Great Thou Art. Sometimes, I would sing it and had the sense that heaven was zipping open it's doors and windows so that I could look in and see all that awaits us. The experience was always so brief that I would try again and often to repeat the moment. No one had to convince me that there was life beyond our present world. I knew, whenever I prayed, I was talking to someone much more powerful and yet attentive to my every word and request. I knew prayers were being answered.

Over the years since, I have gotten caught in the daily tasks of life, family, children, work, finances, health crises, breakthroughs, loss and gain, disappointments and promises fulfilled. I have found myself walking closely with Christ, awed by His love, and have also gone through seasons when I felt he was far off. 

Recently, I saw a social media post from a friend, in an attempt to encourage those who don't look forward to Christmas due to emotional pain. Everything the friend said was true. But it left me thinking, "But do we know who this baby in a manger is--besides savior of the world?" And it stirred up all these questions and thoughts.

I don't think we will be able to paint a picture depicting the magnitude of who He is on this side of heaven. But I do believe He's worth our time to consider His nature. His power.

Just imagine. The creator of the universe, wrapped Himself in the flesh of a helpless baby and entrusted His care to a teenage girl and boy. He was 100% dependent on this young couple to feed, bathe, clothe, and care for His basic needs until He could fend for Himself. 

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He's humble. He knew His strength, yet chose weakness for our benefit. To reconcile the world to His father, God.

He's wise. At 12-years of age, He was found in the temple discussing the Scriptures with the leaders. They were astounded at His ability to understand God's holy word. (Luke 2: 46-49)

He's gentle and fun. As a man, children loved to be around Him. He was a wanted guest at wedding feasts. (John 2)

He is King of kings, Lord of lords, and EVERY knee will one day bow before Him. One day, the sky will split open and all will see Him, riding on a white horse, coming through the clouds to take His place in the new Jerusalem. He is undefeatable. (Revelation 6 &19)

He is also more powerful than we can comprehend. Then the channels of the sea were seen; the foundations of the world were laid bare, at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils (2 Samuel 22: 16).

By the words of His mouth, the heavens and the earth were made, and everything in it (Genesis 1 & 2). 

And then, we see in John 1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1: 1-4, 14 ESV).

I realize this only brushes the surface. Men and women have made attempts for centuries to convey the vast beauty of our Lord. One day, we will see Him, face-to-face, unhindered. And although God told Moses,  "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live" (Exodus 33:20), He will provide a way for us to behold Him in all His splendor as corruptible flesh takes on incorruptible in our graduation to heaven's throne room (1 Corinthians 15: 53 - 55) 

And we, who look forward to His coming, will be with Him for eternity.

💜Blessings to you and yours this 2025 💜