Those Who Knew Him Best
Bible Reading: Acts 4:8-12
There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them. Acts 4:12
Suppose a roving reporter with a TV news crew hunted down all the people who know you, asking each to describe you. What exactly would you want them to say? You wouldn’t be thrilled to hear everyone dig down deep and unearth all your ugliest secrets. You would definitely want them to say supernice things. You might even think about flipping your friends a few bucks to make sure they gush something kind.
You can get huge clues about anyone by checking with that person’s friends and acquaintances.
That’s especially true of Jesus. See, Jesus didn’t have to bribe any of his friends. In fact, they were willing to risk their lives to spread the truth about who he was—God in human form. Listen to these descriptions of Jesus straight from the mouths of just a few of those who knew him best:
When Christ asked Peter to tell him who he was, Peter said this: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus said Peter’s description was true—and that his knowledge came from God: “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you” (verse 17).
Jesus’ good friend Martha said to him, “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God” (John 11:27).
Then there was Nathanael, who thought nothing good could come out of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. He acknowledged that Jesus was “the Son of God—the King of Israel” (John 1:49).
While Stephen was being stoned for believing in Jesus, he recognized Jesus as God when he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59).
Then of course there’s the declaration of Thomas. After seeing the risen Christ and touching his wounds, Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
Can you see it? Those who knew Jesus best had figured out that he was more than just a man. They accepted him as the Savior, as God come to earth—the Messiah that the Old Testament Scriptures had predicted. They were so sure about this that they worshiped him. They obeyed him. And like Stephen, many of them died for the One who had died for them. We can trust that these witnesses spoke truthfully about Jesus—and, like them, we can trust our life to that truth!
TALK: There’s an old saying that Christ isn’t Lord at all unless he’s Lord of all. Today, how can people see that he is Lord of all the areas in your life?
PRAY: Jesus, you are what your friends said you are—our Lord and our God.
ACT: Explain to a non-Christian friend what Jesus’ friends said about who he is.