Over the past few days, we have focused on God becoming a Man in our daily devotionals. Could Jesus be God in the flesh? There is substantial evidence supporting this idea—His words and actions demonstrate that He was and is God in the flesh. Jesus' teachings centered on Himself and what He could do for us. He made it clear that if we want to have a relationship with God, we must come to Him (John 14:6). It is through a relationship with Christ that we encounter God. As a youth, I was aware of a missing piece in my life: an inner void that longed to be filled. Perhaps you recognize an internal dissatisfaction that you've tried to fill with things.
King Charles of England once expressed his belief that “for all of humanity's scientific advances, there remains deep in the soul, if I dare use that term, a persistent and unconscious anxiety that something is missing, some ingredient that makes life worth living.” Bernard Levin, perhaps the most significant English columnist of this generation, once wrote about the void in his life; he stated:
“Countries like ours are full of people who have all the material comforts they desire, together with such non-material blessings as a happy family, and yet lead lives of quiet, and at times noisy, desperation, understanding nothing but the fact that there is a hole inside them and that however much food and drink they pour into it, however many motor cars and television sets they stuff it with, however many well-balanced children and loyal friends they parade around the edges of it…it aches.”[1]
Some prominent psychologists of the twentieth century acknowledged our inner void. They recognized an emptiness in the heart of each of us, a missing piece, a profound hunger.
Freud said, “People are hungry for love.”
Jung said, “People are hungry for security.”
Adler said, “People are hungry for significance.”
Jesus responded to this awareness of our emptiness, saying, "I Am the Bread of Life” (John 6:48).
Jesus implied that if you want your inner hunger satisfied, you should come to Him. If He had been speaking to an Asian person, He might have said, " I am the rice of life. " At that time, bread was the staple food in Israel. Just as bread sustains the physical body, Christ will sustain your spiritual life in the same way.
If you walk in darkness, Christ said, “I Am the Light of the World.” If you don't know where to place your next step, trust the Lord Jesus; He will illuminate your path.
If you are fearful of death, Jesus said, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). These thoughts about Himself are what I mean by Jesus' teaching being centered on Himself. He pointed to Himself as the answer to the missing piece in life.
Some are addicted to various things, such as drugs, alcohol, and sex. Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). You can be set free from your addictions. Many are burdened with worries, anxieties, fears, and guilt. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Have you ever found true rest for your soul? Are you searching for inner peace today? Peace is the intentional adjustment of our lives to the will of God. Only in Christ can there be a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). In another place, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). He stated that to receive Him was to receive God (Matthew 10:40), to welcome Him was to welcome God (Mark 9:37), and to have seen Him was to have seen God 14:9).
Yes, Jesus is God incarnate. He is the answer to any inner need you may have. - Keith Thomas
From the series, I’m New At This, click on the study: Who is Jesus?
YouTube video teachings at: https://www.youtube.com/@keiththomas7/videos
[1]As quoted by Nicky Gumbel, Questions of Life, Published by Cook Ministry Publications. Page 13.