How Do You Feel About Jesus?

Just mentioning the name “Jesus” tends to evoke strong emotions. Jesus is highly valued by some, and not so much by others. Many would rather endure torture and death than deny that they love Jesus. Others, on the other hand, are repulsed by the mere mention of His name. Why is that?

Here is the key. What you believe about Jesus makes all the difference. I’m not talking about what you SAY you believe about Jesus, but what you really believe about Him.

In a minute I’m going to tell you a story that illustrates the deep and meaningful feelings that followers of Jesus should have, but first, let me list a few truths that fuel those feelings.

Whether we know it or not, we could never make ourselves good enough, no matter how hard we try, to live eternally with a holy God. “Are You not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my Holy One? …. Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You cannot look on wickedness with favor….” (Habakkuk 1:12–13).

Jesus is the only One who can make us fit to live with a holy God because He, “redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ ” (Galatians 3:13).

I never cease to be amazed that a holy God would love us so much that He would be willing to step in and pay the awful penalty of sin for us! The great hymn writer Charles Wesley expressed it this way:

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

If you really love Jesus, then I know you will relate to this story I made up. I think it helps picture how a follower of Jesus should feel.

Imagine that a friend comes by your house tomorrow, and with great excitement he asks you to come outside because he has something to show you. He walks you over to a brand new 2016 BMW. You walk around it, and it looks stunning. He opens the hood, and you see a 16-valve turbocharged engine with high precision direct injection; the best on the market. Your friend opens the door and invites you to sit in the driver’s seat. It has a sport leather steering wheel and plush hand-crafted and heated leather seats. Every possible modern electronic convenience is installed. It would take you months to discover every feature loaded on this car. It is the most magnificent vehicle you have ever seen. You step out of the car awestruck. You turn to him and say, “I assume this is your car.” His next words blow you away. He holds up a set of car keys and says, “This is for you.”

You draw back and say, “That can’t be true. I can’t afford a car like this.” Your friend says, “No problem” and holds out the car’s deed with your name on it. He says, “It is already paid in full. There is no cost to you.

Imagine how you would feel. In a much grander way this is how we should feel about having Jesus as our Savior because Jesus is MUCH more precious than a BMW. That is why Peter says, “This precious value,