Introducing Jesus

It comes naturally enough. We are talking with a friend or neighbor, and they tell us a tale of trouble. Their house flooded or they’re facing a medical situation, or a legal issue, or a myriad of other problems. Eager to help, we share the name of someone we know, urging, “call them – they’re amazing and can help you!” We refer them to our connections, knowing they’ll be blessed…I wonder why it can be so hard for us to do that with the greatest resource we can possess: our friendship with Jesus?

He doesn’t get stretched thin, that if we share him with someone else, he won’t be available to us anymore, and yet, we can be reluctant. Why?

Is it fear? 1 John 4:18 reminds us, “perfect love casts out fear.”
Is it shame? in Matthew 10:32 Jesus said, “Whoever confesses me before the world, I will confess him before my Father in heaven.”
Is it doubt? Listen to this:
Matthew 14 shares the story of Jesus making his disciples get into a boat to go out on a lake. He was praying alone while the boat was far out in the lake, in the dark of night, being buffeted by a strong storm.
Why would he do that? Didn’t he care? He absolutely cared. This was an opportunity to show them, not just tell them, that he truly was who he said he was.

“He walked out on the water and when the disciples saw him, they were terrified. But he called out to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Courageously, Peter demanded, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water,” and Jesus invited him to come. So Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water, coming towards Jesus. But when he took his eyes off of Jesus and saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, “Lord save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith; why did you doubt?”
They climbed into the boat and the wind died down, and all who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!””

He had allowed a hard situation for them to go through, that they would see with their own eyes the power of this One who claimed to be the Son of God, verifying it as truth.

We who know Jesus have a treasure of tremendous worth. He asks that we tell others who need his love and forgiveness and compassion, as well. For them to come to know the sweet joy of salvation and discover what a gift he is not only for this time on earth, but for all eternity.

Our world is groaning under the weight of the curse of sin. People are scared, lonely and uncertain, afraid of the storms around them and desperate for an answer.

Let’s share with confidence that they, too, may come to know him, “whom to know is life itself.”

It doesn’t have to be hard. Its as simple as:
“Let me tell you about Jesus. He has the power to calm your soul through any storm in life. He loves you and has a wonderful plan for you that goes far beyond what you can imagine. His gift is free to anyone who admits they’re a sinner
and accepts his salvation by faith. Would you like to know him?”

Jesus, the Savior of men’s souls.
Jesus, the One who died that we might be set free.
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who has a purpose for every storm he allows in our lives, that he might show his sufficiency and love.

If no one comes to know Jesus because of our testimony, let it be from their own rejection of the truth, not because we didn’t have the courage to share.

Jesus. The best referral we have to offer anyone, regardless of what they face. Let’s tell others, while we can. ❤️🙏