Throughout history there have been many individuals, groups, institutions, and even nations who have proclaimed themselves as great leaders deserving to be followed and obeyed. Some went so far as to suggest they were saviors. To this day there are many among us who look to politicians who believe, “ it’s the economy, stupid” as if men and money could save us. They never have and never will do that. There is only one: “This Jesus.” Which one? The one of whom I will speak and the only one whom God has provided.

     When the Apostle Peter stood up with the other 11 apostles and preached a sermon on the day of Pentecost, he spoke exclusively of “This Jesus” (Acts 2:23 , 32, 36), the One whom they, “men of Israel,” had crucified and “that God has made. . . both Lord and  Christ” ( 2:36 ).

     Peter’s conclusion was an invitation in response to the question, “what shall we do?” His reply: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for. . .everyone whom our God calls to himself”  ( 2:38 -39).

     Peter refers to “This Jesus” on other occasions as well. When he was defending the healing of “a man lame from birth” (Acts 3:3) - before an official council of Jewish leaders including the high priest - he told the story of what had happened. “By the name of Jesus. . .by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else. . .” The astonished rulers who would have tried and imprisoned them, if they could, noted that Peter and John “were uneducated and common men. . .and recognized that they had been with Jesus” ( 4:10 -13). Paul also preached “This Jesus” (Acts 17:3) explaining that He alone was the Messiah (Savior, deliverer, Christ, God’s anointed).

     There are many, many Bible stories not too unlike this one in which the emphasis is always the same. The subject is always “This Jesus,” whether the Lord Jesus Christ Himself speaks or one of the apostles, one of the other disciples, or an unnamed members of a crowd. If you have a problem with this conclusion - I invite you to read the Gospels, Acts, and any one of the epistles. The Apostle Paul said it like this: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to another gospel - not that there is another one,…” (Gal. 1:6,7)

     Some will say, “We knew all that. So what’s the point?” Good question. My point is both positive and negative. The positive has been stated above, and will later be pursued. That will be the “good news.” But first the negative.

      Certain individual believers, churches and other Christian organizations often do a very poor job of keeping the Lord Jesus Christ, “This Jesus,” central in their thoughts, words and deeds.

      Look around. Open your eyes, ears and, most importantly, your mind. What do you see and hear as the main message? Someone has said, “The main thing should be “This Jesus.” However, in too many cases and all too often, He has been replaced.

     We see and hear a lot about many good people and good projects, etc. For instance: the preacher, doctrines, a particular form of church government or baptism, the building project, special programs designed for children, teens, the poor, single parents, the elderly. All are good, no doubt, but are they to be central? Definitely not. The Bible (Old and New Testaments) lifts up “This Jesus.”

     While in church services, I have on occasion seen and heard more entertainment and information about the entertainers than I have about Jesus. Don’t go there with a judgmental attitude, but keep your eyes and ears open.

     The Church has taught since the most ancient of times (i.e., pre-Moses) that anything that comes between us (you - me) and the Lord Himself, is nothing less than idolatry.  “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). It should be a sobering thought, especially as we read the Old Testament prophets and see what God warned of and did to all those who did not heed this number one of the ten commandments. Frightening!

     My educated guess is that you, dear reader, do not think yourself guilty of marginalizing  “This Jesus.” You may feel quite certain that your church, your favorite television evangelist or missionary is not guilty. I have been guilty and know thousands of others who have been guilty as well. To repeat the Apostle Peter’s remedy, “Repent.”

     Yet even repentance, as important as it is, will not save. Neither should it be the focal point of preaching, teaching, or one-on-one sharing with a backslider. “There is salvation in no one else (“This Jesus”) for there is no other name under heaven given among men  by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ) Though repentance may be part of the salvation experience, it is only a part, not the whole.

     Our churches will not - cannot - save us, nor can our baptism, our favorite doctrines, our piety or Bible reading. Not even our prayers can save us. Prayer, which is talking to the Lord, cannot save us. Talk, to whomever, never saved a soul. Will not. Cannot. So much for the bad news. Let us now turn our attention to some really good news:

     “This Jesus” of whom we speak said it this way, “Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 10:28 ). The invitation was to Himself, not to any program or any other thing.

     Of whom was it said that, “all things have been handed over to me by my Father” (Matthew 10:27 ) but “This Jesus”? He even went so far as to say, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. . .” (Matthew 28:18). Not to anyone or anything else but me: “This Jesus.”

     John the Baptist (last of the Old Testament prophets and of whom Jesus said there was none greater) stated, “I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8) Can the preacher, the priest, or the church baptize with the Holy Spirit? No. Only He does this.

     When “This Jesus” called men to be His disciples (Simon and Andrew, Mark 1:17 - Matthew, Mark 2:14 - the rich young ruler, Mark 10:21) His simple command was, “Follow me.” No one else; just Me.

     The Apostle John tells us that, “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. . .” (John 3:35-36) It’s all about Him: “This Jesus.”

     Look also at the long list of “I ams.”  For example: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). “This Jesus” is the way; not the church. He is the truth; not a theology. He has life and gives life; not your preacher or your prayers. The point is clear enough.

     For God the Father’s part, “This Jesus” is the one and only that is worthy of our central focus, of our love, our worship and service.

     Human institutions, ministers, and their ministries are not necessarily bad. I founded a Christian missions society. What is worse than bad is when our focus moves from Him to anything else. Therefore, we must earnestly guard against losing our focus.

     Look at two more well-known passages that should sum up all we have said. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome : “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. . . .For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (i.e., “This Jesus”) will be saved.” (Romans 10:9,13) Then once more: “ . . .from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

     If you are trusting in anyone or anything other than “This Jesus,” you are not saved and never will be, apart from a radical change in His direction. “Then who can be saved? With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:26-27) Repent.

     If you have trusted in “This Jesus” and Him alone but He is not central in every aspect of your life, the remedy is the same: repent.

     I and others are praying for you to come - or to come back - to “This Jesus.” May God be merciful to you. “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (II Corinthians 4:5)

     “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore….let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (i.e., This Jesus”). (I Corinthians 1:30-31)

     If “This Jesus” is your all in all, then we implore you to share this message with others. They need it also.

Alfred McCroskey

founder@biblesforrussia.org