What does it mean to point people to Jesus?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Pointing people to Jesus means making Him known through both Scripture and the way we live, clearly directing others to the hope, truth, and salvation found only in Him (Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 3:15). The Old Testament points forward to Christ through detailed prophecies of His birth, suffering, and betrayal, all fulfilled in Jesus (Isaiah 9:6–7; Isaiah 53; Micah 5:2; Psalm 22:16–18; Zechariah 11:12–13). It is our privilege and call as believers to make Him known (Matthew 28:19). The New Testament calls us to actively share the gospel, defend the truth, and live in ways that glorify God as “salt and light” in the world (Matthew 5:13–16). This looks like living in love, unity, and holiness that reflect His transforming power (John 13:35; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Even the health and integrity of the church matters, since our conduct can either draw people toward Christ or push them away (Matthew 18:15–17; Romans 2:24). Pointing people to Jesus is a whole-life calling—speaking the truth in love, living in ways that reflect Him, and intentionally proclaiming who He is to a world that desperately needs to know Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Many Old Testament prophecies pointed to the coming of Christ.  Believers today can share these prophecies with unbelievers as evidence that Christ is, indeed, the Messiah. For example, Isaiah 9:6-7 and Micah 5:2 include prophecies about Christ's birth. The specific kind of suffering Jesus would endure is expressed in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22:16-18. Zechariah prophesied about Jesus' betrayal by Judas (Zechariah 11:12–13).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Pointing others to Christ means sharing the good news of His saving power with the world. Jesus commissioned His followers to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
• Believers also point others to Christ by leading God-honoring lives. Jesus exhorted believers to be the "salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13) and the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). The main reason for this is to glorify God (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12) so that others will desire to be His children (John 1:12).
• We can point others to Christ by speaking of Him and sharing who He is and what He has done with people who do not yet know Him—but we must always do it in a way that reflects Him in our heart attitudes as well. Peter wrote, "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).
• Others come to know Christ through believers' love for each other as children of God (John 13:35). Our love is a great testimony that points people to Jesus.
• Associated with this is remembering that we represent Christ as a body of believers, too, not just as individuals. Unbelievers will take note of sinful behavior among Christians. If the church allows such behavior to continue, that will point people away from Christ rather than to Him. This is one reason that so many passages in the New Testament discuss church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 2:23-24; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6, 12-13; Titus 1:10-11).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

"Don't point—it's rude!" We learned that as kids (hopefully!), but as Christians, pointing is fine—i.e., figuratively and to Christ. Pointing others to Christ can take different forms. The most direct is telling others about Him. We all have a mission field in our lives through coworkers, acquaintances at the gym, or just conversations we might strike up waiting in line. "But I'm not a good speaker!" you might say. Moses tried that excuse with God, and God replied, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak" (Exodus 4:11-12). Believers proclaim, but only the Holy Spirit saves. The pressure is off us! We're responsible for sharing, not saving.

And even the most hesitant speaker can lead a life that honors God and points others to Christ. When you refuse to gossip, when you don't laugh at coarse jokes, when you show grace to even those who have harmed you, you testify to others the power of Christ to transform lives (2 Corinthians 5:17). Believers don't need an apologetics degree to point others to Christ. We just need a heart submitted to God, a life surrendered to Him, and a longing for others to know Him and be part of God's family.

UNDERSTAND

• We can point others to Jesus by sharing who He is and what He has done as it is recorded in Scripture.
• We can point others to Christ by sharing the gospel message.
• We can point others to Jesus by living God-honoring lives.

REFLECT

• How committed are you to pointing others to Christ?
• How does your life point others to Christ?
• How do you actively seek to share who Jesus is and what He has done with others?

ENGAGE

• Why is our conduct equally as important as what we share about Jesus?
• What are some practical ways to point people to Jesus in our everyday lives?
• How can we motivate and encourage each other to point people to Jesus even when it is difficult?