Article 16

By Steven J. Hogan

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of Him as my Lord, Savior and King, as One who loves me so, so much, who thinks about me all the time, who really cares for me, and who always wants my best! “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Abide in My love.” John 15:9

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of Him as my friend, lover and husband, the One whom I love more than anyone else in this world! “Whom have I in heaven but You, and besides You, I desire nothing on earth.” Psalm 73:25

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how He has loved me and thought of me and had me on His heart since eternity past, of how He and the Father made wonderful plans for my life! “In love He predestined me to adoption as His son through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:4-5

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how He is the creator and sustainer of the world, of how He is supreme, holy and all powerful, of how He is God, and yet “He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave… He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:6-8

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how He came into this world as a baby, and how He grew up and became a man. I think of how He lived a perfect life. I think of Him all alone, shamefully hanging on that cross, with that beaten and bloodied face, suffering for me, dying for me, poured out like water, paying for all my sins, bearing the wrath of God! “Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood – sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah, what a Savior.”

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of His body in the tomb those three days, but then His Father powerfully raised Him from the dead on the third day, and glorified Him! This was for the Father, but also for me, that I may someday be with Him in glory! “Christ has been raised from the dead… by a Man also came the resurrection from the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-21

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think back to that day, how by His Word, by His grace, and by the Holy Spirit, I repented of my sins, and believed that He died and rose again for me. On that day, I gained eternal life, and first came to know Him! “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” John 17:3

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how because of Him, I am redeemed from slavery, forgiven of my sins, reconciled to God, adopted into His family, made an heir of God, sealed by the Spirit, placed into Christ, made a citizen of heaven, and am forever holy in His sight and in the sight of God the Father! Ephesians 1:4-7

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how I am God’s workmanship, and was “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that I would walk in them!” I am glad that I can work for Him. Ephesians 2:10

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how He ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of the Father, looking down at me, loving me, praying for me, protecting me, carrying out His plans for me, and looking forward to being with me! “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” Romans 8:34-35

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how I will be like Him, how I will be given a powerful, immortal, glorified and spiritual body! How blessed I will be, and all because of Him. “We eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of my humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.” Philippians 3:20-21

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how He is the Word of God, the Living Water, the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, the Life, and the Good Shepherd. Indeed, He is all I need! “I shall not want.” “Because Your love is better than life, my lips will praise You… my soul is satisfied…” Psalm 63:1-5

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how He will be coming back on the clouds, and how I will physically see Him for the first time. How amazing, how glorious that day will be! “Yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another. O, how my heart yearns within me.” Job 19:26-27

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how He desires that I be taken to heaven so that He can be with me, and so that I can be with Him, and so that I may know the fullness of His love, and that I may see and be satisfied by His perfect and infinite glory! John 17:24

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of the millennial kingdom, and how I will see Him on His throne in Jerusalem, ruling and reigning over this earth, how I will be with Him in glory, and will rule and reign with Him! “They will be priests of God and Christ and will reign with Him for one thousand years.” Revelation 20:6

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how in His presence there will be no sin, sadness or sorrow, but only gladness of heart, fullness of joy, and pleasures forever. O, the wonders and delights of heaven, of being with Him, and enjoying Him forever! “The Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17, Psalm 16:11

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of how in the Kingdom ages, He will give me work to do, work suited for me, work which is meaningful, beneficial for others, tireless, eternally rewarding, and God exalting! “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things – I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Master.” Matthew 25:21

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of being with all the other saints and angels in the heavenly choir, and how we will all sing to Him, worship Him and exalt Him; and every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father! “O, sing to the Lord a new song.” Psalm 98:1, Philippians 2:10-11

When I think of Jesus Christ, I think of being with Him in the eternal kingdom, in the new heavens and the new earth, in the heavenly city, in my heavenly home, and loving Him, worshiping Him, and reigning with Him and serving Him forever and ever! “They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads… And they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:4-5

When I think of Jesus Christ, I know I am still on this earth, but I remember His last words from Revelation 22:20 – “Behold, I am coming soon,” and that it won’t be long before I will see Him and be with Him – it won’t be long at all! “Come, Lord Jesus.”