Who is the most important and influential person who know personally? Most of us don’t know anybody well who has power of government, opinion or other types of influence. It therefore seems beyond comprehension that the most powerful person already knows us intimately and by name. In fact, he may regard you as a friend.
Jesus is the person of whom I am speaking. He knows everything about you. Though you have not met Him in the usual way, you are in constant contact unknowingly. Jesus wasn’t just active during His brief earthly ministry, he has had major influence both before and after that time, even right now. How so?
Through him all things were made that has been made. (John 1:3)
For by him all things were created: things in Heaven and on Earth, visible or invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (Colossians 1:16)
You may tend to think of the universe as having created itself, or that the Laws of Physics simply are as they are–perfectly tuned to create life. But the universe and especially living things seem to have design and purpose because they were designed for a purpose. There is beauty in the universe because a creative being made it so. And you either already know that person or can. That person definitely knows you.
You may ask, if Jesus created the universe, why didn’t he do a better job? We wouldn’t be holed up because of the coronavirus in that case. Jesus may be the creator and the ultimate master of the universe, but the modest failings and the adversarial relationship we can have with nature are not there for lack of skill. It’s complexity, genius and beauty can be attributed to Jesus, but the flaws are the intentional product of what the Bible calls the curse. It is Jesus not micro-managing all things. It’s the product of people rejecting God, and it is how it will be until Jesus remakes all things.
Until then would you deny Jesus’ existence and current presence? Do you deny that God is good and is better at being God than we? Do you reject the ongoing appeal of Jesus to get to know him and to accept his gift of love?
The materialistic view of the universe just doesn’t work. The universe is too complex and conveniently ordered. The marks of the Master of the Universe are everywhere you look. The only “advantage” a materialistic worldview gives you is that it allows you to deny the existence of God and still sleep at night. I am not interested in ignorant myths either. The actual truth seems to be the only wise pursuit, even if it isn’t the truth that a part of us desires.
Knowing the Master of the Universe is not only not a bad thing, it is a tremendously good thing. God is not against us, He is for us. Knowing the Creator is extremely valuable if you want to know the purpose of your life. It is absolutely indispensable when we are facing our own death. Knowing Jesus brings calm in the midst of chaos, love in the midst of hate, and understanding when ignorance abounds.
To take the first cautious steps of getting to know the Master of the Universe, start by reading what he has done and what he promises. In the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, pick one to read. Got questions, ask somebody who already knows Jesus. If you find that you somehow do believe the account of what Jesus has done and what he promises with respect to forgiveness and eternal life, then you are ready for baptism. Following that the Master would like to teach you and make you into somebody with whom he will work. It’s a good thing. I highly recommend it.
Giving Christ 