No Surprises Here

"Who are you?" they asked.  "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied.  John 8:25

Have you ever encountered someone who has never heard of Jesus?  I’m sure there are people that fall into this category, but probably not around here.  In fact, even including my overseas travels to the countries of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria, I’ve never met someone who had not at least heard of Jesus.

This was the case when Jesus was on the earth, as well.  Jesus did not come with a hidden agenda.  He was transparent about Who He was and what He came for.  He lived before the people, taught before the people and worked before the people.  The people didn’t always believe Him, but it wasn’t because they didn’t know Who He said He was.  Here is how John’s gospel records what Jesus said about Himself.

John 6:51:"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever."

John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 10:9: "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 11:25: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 15:1: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”

So who is Jesus?  What did He say about Himself?  More importantly, what do you believe about Him?

When it’s all over, there won’t be any surprises.  People won’t be able to say they didn’t know; they’ll only be able to say they didn’t believe.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11