18 Just Jesus
JUST JESUS
Years ago, Ken and I had the privilege of attending the funeral of Corrie ten Boom. It was a simple service. Brief, not many flowers, very European. But, oh, how challenged we were when we left the church that day.
Several pastors spoke about Corrie’s life and work,reading excerpts from her books or recounting incidents from her ministry. They all talked about her love of Jesus. One pastor said she had specifically instructed him to speak about the love of Jesus—not about Corrie ten Boom.
It was the same every time I visited with Corrie or heard her speak. Jesus was always at the center of her thoughts and words. She rarely spoke of “the Christian walk” or “the Christian experience.” She didn’t speak of Christ as though He were some creed or doctrine or lifestyle. She spoke about a Person. A Person she loved more than anyone else in the world.
As Ken and I left the graveside, I remarked that Corrie’s life reminded me of Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1–2).
“How is it,” I said to Ken, “that we get so caught up in explaining our walk in Christ, or life in Christ, or some spiritual experience—instead of simply talking about Him?”
I find myself going on and on about my testimony, my trust, my obedience, or “the God of the Bible.” I talk more about details and doctrines than I do about Jesus, my Savior and Lord.
I wonder if you find yourself in a similar situation. God forbid that we should reduce our Savior to fine-print doctrines squeezed between the pages of a theology textbook. And may the Lord wake us out of spiritual slumber if we catch ourselves making a big deal of our “life in Christ” rather than the simple testimony of Jesus. May we never rely on clever techniques or catchy stories or that manipulative kind of speech Paul spoke of to the Corinthians.
Let’s let the life of Corrie speak to us today. So often she would say, “Jesus is Victor!” Let Jesus be our message. Let Jesus be our hope and joy. Let’s seek intimacy with Him above everything else in life. And let’s tell people about that intimacy and love … just for Him.
A Step Closer
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
JOHN 3:30, NLT
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him.
PHILIPPIANS 3:8–9, NLT
Let’s pray together.
Lord Jesus, forgive us if we’ve drifted into a careless,
cultural Christian walk. We talk about Christian books,
Christian political action, Christian music,
Christian bumper stickers, and Christian this and that,
and sometimes, Lord, leave You right out of the picture.
Bring us back, Savior, to a simple love for You
and a burning desire to know You, obey You,
please You, and watch daily for Your return.