Let’s Talk About Jesus

Telling you that I was born in the middle fifties to a couple of Bible-reading, gospel-singing, Southern Baptist church-goers must give you some idea of who I am. But you don’t know me.

Sitting in front of me or behind me in church every week, you will figure out that something is wrong about my voice, but I love to sing. Sharing a meal together, you will learn that I’m married, that I love a good story and probably a whole lot more, but you still won’t know me. It’s not that I’m an introvert or have secrets to hide. And it’s not only about spending time together.

The way to really get to know me is to ask me about Jesus.

There is a story in Act 3 about a man who made his living by begging outside the gate of the temple. We know a lot about that man after reading only four verses.

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple for the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. A man who was lame from birth was being carried there. He was placed each day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so that he could beg from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked for money.Peter, along with John, looked straight at him and said, “Look at us.”  (Acts 3:1-4, CSB).

We come to a lot of conclusions based on just those four verses. He was crippled and had to be carried. He knew no other way of life because he was born lame, and it’s clear that his condition was not his fault. That Peter and John had to tell him to “Look at us” says an awful lot about the man’s emotional health, but our knowledge of who he was is still quite sparse.

If we encountered that lame man today, a lot of us would drop money into his basket. Some of us would want to hear his sad story, and maybe go home to our friends and share it. There are those rare advocates among us who would start a not-for-profit and gather a community behind them. They would return to check on him, take him food or maybe serve him by carrying him to the gate the next day. All good things.

But the best way to get to know the man is to talk with him about Jesus.

^“So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. So he jumped up and started to walk, and he entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:5-8).

This is a much bigger story than how a lame beggar was healed. We don’t need a lot of subtext to know how difficult his life must have been before Peter and John came along that day or how wonderful his life was after he could walk. It’s not only about a miracle performed because Peter and John had faith or how our faith should be as strong as theirs. But we stop there too often, satisfied that we know enough, when the central message—the most amazing part of this lame man’s story is about the power of just the name of Jesus Christ.

“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

So, here are the questions I am pondering today:

• How can I make sure that I am telling my story in such a way that it leads people to know Jesus?
• Do I want my audience, whether it’s thousands or one, to know all about me or think well of me? Or do I want them to know about Jesus?
• Does the person I’m speaking to understand that when I refer to God, or the Lord, that I am talking about Jesus.

If I’m not careful, listeners will walk away from hearing my testimony knowing a lot of dull facts, but little to nothing more about Jesus.

The entire story from Acts chapter 3 and even into the next chapters, is about the power of the name of Jesus Christ. The lame man was healed, for sure, and we know he was grateful, he was healed in the power of the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene. It was all very public. Thousands of people at that time, in that area, had witnessed Jesus heal miraculously, but they hadn’t yet seen a miracle happen in the power of His name alone. This was huge!

“Proclaim the LORD’S greatness with me;let us exalt his name together.” (Psalm 34:3).

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17).

“For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9).

The power of Jesus is so great that demons tremble at the sound of His name. Jesus is the God and creator who sends comfort and peace when we call out, even whisper His name. As His children, He not only gives us permission to use His name, He shows up and brings angels with Him when we call on His name.

 ^“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

All sinners need to know His name is Jesus. And if I am His true and faithful disciple, the name of Jesus ought to come up in conversation both naturally and with intention. Have you, like me, been timid about saying His name? I pray in His name. I sing songs with His name, but His name seldom comes up in casual conversation. Should it?

The world distracts us from conversations that might lead to the use of His name. The name won’t win us any popularity contests. It might get us shunned. The name of Jesus is divisive. That’s not something new to this generation. Peter and John were ordered (by religious leaders, no less) “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” And with that came the implied warning not to heal in the name of Jesus either.

We have a responsibility not to use His name in vain or for self-serving purposes. The respectful awe and fear that should come with the mention of His name has a complimentary benefit when His name is used to direct our praise or make a desire known or to invite His presence.

I am a woman who, like many others, can talk and talk and talk about many things, but I find it difficult to start a conversation about Jesus outside my circle of Jesus-loving friends. Some of us struggle to start any sort of conversation with anyone outside our comfort zone of friends. Talk about Jesus? But there is coming a day: “So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11).

We’d better get to know the people around us, and we’d better let them get to know us. Before we wear them out or turn them away with talk of the weather, sports, culture, and of course the ugly world of politics, let’s ask them what they think about Jesus. Let’s talk about Jesus and let Him take the conversation from there.

Written by Rita Klundt.
Author and speaker, Rita Klundt’s, all-time favorite read is a true and transparent story with an only-God-could’ve-done-that ending. If something happens, good, tragic or funny, Klundt encourages women, not only to tell it, but to write it. Her memoir, “Goliath’s Mountain,” is a poignant and tragic love story that deals with mental illness and suicide. Klundt compiled and published stories from other Christian women, all with ties to Illinois. That award winning book, “Real Life. Real Ladies: Short Stories from the Pew” is about to become the first in a series. Rita and her husband live in Pekin, Illinois. You can find her online on her website and on Facebook.