… and what? How would you finish the sentence above? My wife has a book entitled, All I Need Is Jesus… and a Good Pair of Jeans. We all have things we feel we cannot live without. We cling to objects – homes, cars, luxuries. We rely on bank accounts and the jobs that keep them balanced. We hold onto our loved ones and claim our lives would end if we lost one of them. Sometimes we are tempted to add other spiritual ideas into the mix with our faith in Jesus.
The Christians in Colossae were on the verge of adding a number of things to their “needs” in addition to Jesus. Some said Jesus + festival laws (Colossians 2:16). Some said Jesus + circumcision (Colossians 2:11). Apparently some even said Jesus + the worship of angels (Colossians 2:18). Paul spends some time in their letter reminding them about this “Lord” in whom they’ve placed their trust:
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:6-10)
How can I add other things to my needs when I have been filled in him? Whether it is new ways of thinking, our possessions, or even our loved ones – nothing compares to Christ when it comes to my most important needs. By his hand, this world was created (Colossians 1:16). By his blood, he opened the way to the Father (Colossians 1:22). Jesus is enough for you and me. He is the source of wholeness because his “grace is sufficient” for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Though it may be a human tendency to rely on other things along with our Lord, scripture urges us to remember the One in whose hands we have been entrusted. If we are rooted and built up in Him, we’ll come to see just how trustworthy He is. All we need is Jesus. Period.