Do You Know Jesus?

This past weekend, I went with a couple friends to share snacks, along with the Gospel, and to also pray for people on the streets. Seeing a man who looked like me, I went over and asked him where he was from. He told me Ghana. I was excited. He was from the Motherland and spoke English. As he sat by his kiosk, he was coincidentally listening to reggae that had videos of a revolutionary Arican leader who I have learned more about just recently. I told him of a rally held by the Rastafarians in Jamaica in support of this African president. He told me how much he loves what he is doing and then suddenly in anger with fingers pointing in the form of a gun he said he wanted to go back to his country to fight against those who have oppressed it. He continued speaking in anger with one hand waving as if it were a gun, so I tried to make him calm down, while I searched my mind thinking what God would have me say. Telling him to forgive at this point would have been futile and may have caused more anger. Therefore, knowing he was from Ghana and more than likely would have a Christian background, I asked, “Do you know Jesus?” He answered, “Yes, but…” and went on to explain in a calmer manner why his anger was justified. I then offered him cake and he asked if he had to pay, and I told him that it was free. He received the two pieces of cake and said that he would speak to me another time as he went back to his job selling his wares to a waiting customer. The question, “Do you know Jesus?”, had turned the tide of our conversation which had become turbulent.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27

The Prince of Peace brought peace in the midst of this troubled conversation. I thank God for the Holy Spirit, who I am sure led me to ask this question. I think we need to be careful as Christians not to stick to a script when speaking to people. Some of the things we say, even though we may mean well, may be considered heartless and bring more harm. Telling this man about forgiveness while he was fuming may have been like putting more fuel on the fire. I understand his anger as I know what has been happening to people in Africa and the African Diaspora for centuries. So, as he spoke, not only did I listen to him, but I also had to push through my own emotions and my own thoughts of what I should say in order to hear what the Holy Spirit wanted me to say. This man at least knew about Jesus and therefore understood Jesus’ teachings as he had a Christian heritage and so this understanding immediately made him subdue his rage. This happened because he had the knowledge of God.

Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  2 Peter 1:1-3

The sermon at Church on Sunday was based on the above passage and I believe it is quite appropriate for this situation. That man from Ghana had the same kind of faith as I do, so we were able to relate on that level. Yes, we are also connected on a cultural level as we understand how our history is intertwined as many of the Jamaican slaves came from Ghana and Nigeria. But our knowledge of Jesus made us able to communicate in a different way and so He understood what I meant by my question. When we know Jesus, we will comprehend that where He is there should be godliness and excellence. Knowing Jesus transforms us. And truly knowing Jesus, we will love God and love people no matter their race, color or creed. We will prefer others and not oppress them. We will also try to get to know them – their joys and their sorrows, because we are children of God and Christ is the firstborn, so we will endeavor to look like the Father and the Son and to have their heart of compassion.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 1 Colossians 17-20

When we are reconciled with the Father, we cannot remain the same because we know Him and have a relationship with Him. This also affects how we relate with others. We would start seeing them how the Father sees them, and we would look beyond appearances as He does. We wouldn’t have all these factions in Christianity fighting against each other because of differing doctrines, but rather we would be united under Christ, the head of the Church, to fulfil His commission. We would put Him in first place, the One who holds all things together. And we would follow His lead as He points us to the Father. But you can’t follow Who you do not know. So, the question is, “Do you know Jesus?”