By Magdalene Victor
James, Jesus’ brother, grew up in the same house as the Son of God. He witnessed Jesus’ daily life, teachings, and miracles. Yet, despite this proximity, James did not initially believe in Jesus as the Messiah. John 7:5 states, “For even His brothers did not believe in Him” (NKJV).
It was only after Jesus’ resurrection that James experienced a life-changing revelation. This encounter transformed him into a devoted follower and leader in the early church. In his epistle, James did not focus on Jesus’ physical life but on the wisdom of God and faith in action, revealing that his understanding of Jesus came not from family bonds but through divine revelation.
This underscores an essential principle: knowing Jesus is not about physical proximity or human reasoning but about a revelation from God.
The Testimony of Peter
This truth is further illustrated in Matthew 16:13-17, where Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They responded with various opinions: “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter boldly declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus’ response is profound: “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Peter’s confession did not come from human reasoning or observation, as some people identify him with John or Elijah; it was a divine revelation. This moment highlights that understanding Jesus’ true identity requires a spiritual revelation; a truth revealed only by the Father through the Holy Spirit.
Billy Graham and Peter
In 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, Paul said, “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (NKJV)
Paul’s words remind us that knowing Christ through human perception is insufficient. True understanding comes only through the Spirit.
Many years ago, Billy Graham, the world’s renowned Evangelist, prayed at the beginning of his ministry, “O God! There are many things in this book that I do not understand. There are many problems with it for which I have no solution. There are many seeming contradictions. Some parts of it do not seem to align with modern science. I can’t answer some of the philosophical and psychological questions Chuck and others are raising.” He continued, “Father, I am going to accept this as Thy Word—by faith! I’m going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be Your inspired Word!” Earlier, he had been challenged by a friend who had started to believe that the Bible was flawed and that academia, not Jesus, was the solution to life’s problems.
In those words of prayer, Billy Graham affirmed his trust in the Bible, marking a turning point in his life. From that moment on, he preached with unshakable conviction, reaching millions with the gospel. His story illustrates a profound truth: the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the power of His Word are not fully grasped by human reason but by divine revelation.
Revelation Through the Scriptures
The Bible is a source for revelation, not merely a historical record or moral guide. As Billy Graham experienced in that pivotal moment of surrender, scripture becomes alive and transformative when approached with faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
This is evident in Luke 24, where the resurrected Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Although they couldn’t recognise Him at first, Jesus explained the scriptures concerning Himself, opening their hearts to understand His identity. It was only after this revelation that they recognised Him.
When we receive the revelation of who Jesus is, everything changes. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, we become new creations in Christ. This transformation is not merely external but a spiritual renewal that changes how we see God, ourselves, and the world.
The lives of Billy Graham, James, Paul, and Peter all point to a vital truth: Jesus cannot be fully understood through human effort or physical observation. He can only be known through revelation from God. As believers, we must approach the scriptures with open hearts, relying on the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of Christ.
References
- Graham, W (9 July 2014). The Tree Stump Prayer: When Billy Graham Overcame Doubt. Accessed from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on 21 December 2024.
- Matthew 16:13-17 is quoted from the New Living Translation.
- 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 are quoted from the New King James Version.
- John 7:5 is quoted from the New King James Version.
