The word “only,” when used as an adverb, means no one or nothing more, solely, or exclusively, and when used as an adjective it means alone of its kind; single or solitary. Both describe Jesus. In this life and the life hereafter I can say “only Jesus.”
The Bible teaches us that Jesus was the only Son of God. He was the only one who was perfect and could satisfy the wrath of the Father and pay the penalty for sin. Jesus became the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation is the act of gaining or regaining the favor of God noted in I John 2:2. God is holy and could not be in the presence of sin. Therefore, the penalty for redemption had to be paid by someone perfect. Only Jesus qualified.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
I John 2:2 “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Only Jesus can bring us perfect peace. In John 14:27, Jesus is speaking to His disciples. He is trying to prepare them for His impending death. He tells them He will be leaving, but the Holy Spirit would come and comfort them. They would have peace, inward peace that the world knows nothing about. A peace that sustains them and keeps them grounded on the inside when the whole world is out of control. Before Jesus, we are enemies of God and there could be no peace with God without Jesus’ sacrifice for us. He is the only one who has the power to make peace with God and give it to us.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
Romans 8:7 “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”
Only Jesus can satisfy our souls. God built within each of us desires for certain things. We all need love. God offers that through His Son. On Calvary, He stretched out His arms and died for our sins because of His love. We all need to belong. He offers that when we become a member of his family. We all need someone to love. He offers that in Himself, and we all need something to do. We have that in serving Him by obeying and serving others in His name. He satisfies our soul in every area if we will let Him. He satisfies in a way that is complete, in a way nothing else can, and in a way that glorifies Him.
Psalm 107:9 “For he satisfied the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
Only Jesus can meet every need we have in this life and the life to come. I pray that you will allow Him to satisfy your soul. That you will long for Him as the deer that pants for water in the desert. May you seek Him to satisfy your soul because anything less won’t last. It will be like drinking a drop of water that will leave you thirsty again in a few moments.
Psalm 42:1 ”As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”
