Only Jesus Can

Mark 9:8

Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them.

Peter, James, and John had watched as Jesus was transfigured before their eyes. Not only that, but Moses and Elijah appeared, and Jesus had a conversation with them. But Moses and Elijah were gone now. And when it was all over, there stood Jesus, reminding us that is who we need.

We don't need Jesus and the Law, because Jesus fulfilled all of it. We don't need Jesus and the sacraments. We don't even need Jesus and good works. If you really know Jesus, however, good works will follow. Works don't save a person, but they are a good evidence that a person is saved. If you really are a follower of Christ, there will be results that are evident in your life.

We need Jesus. This is not only true of salvation, but of life in general. When you go through a crisis, here is what you need to know: you need Jesus. Friends will help you. Family will help you. And Jesus can work through family and friends. But sometimes friends will disappoint. And family will let you down. Sometimes the advice that friends will give to try and help will actually cause more pain.

People have come to me and said, "I have lost a loved one. Is there a book I should read? Is there someone I should talk to?" There are books that I can recommend and things that I can say. But what I ultimately will say is, "You know what you need right now? You need Jesus. You need to lean into Him. You need to trust in Him. You need to cling to Him. That is what you need."

 

The New Testament Christians believed that they would be saved through the blood of Christ. (Eph. 1.7.) From his creation in the garden of Eden man has shown the greatest disobedience. (Gen. 3.11.) The same disobedience continues today In the minds of people whom God created in His image. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3.23.)

We inherited death as a result of disobedience. But through Jesus Christ we are saved. "But not as the offense, so also is the free gift: for if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." (Rom. 5.15.) "But thanks be to God which give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Cor. 13.57.)

Only Jesus will get you through this. Only Jesus can heal a broken heart. Only Jesus can give you the strength to go on.