Getting Real About Our Relationship with Jesus

By Dwayne Moore

We throw around the word “relationship” all the time these days. We have relationships with our coffee barista, our Instagram followers, even our favorite Netflix series. But when we talk about our relationship with Jesus? That’s when words start to feel… insufficient.

I’m talking about something way beyond your typical human connection. This is the kind of relationship that changes everything, your perspective, your purpose, your entire trajectory in life. As that old hymn puts it, “When we walk with the Lord in the light of his Word, what a glory he spreads on our way.” And honestly? Even that beautiful line barely scratches the surface.

The thing is, Jesus doesn’t just relate to us in one simple way. Our connection with Him is beautifully complex, multi-faceted, and deeply personal. How you connect with Jesus might look different from how I do, and that’s exactly how it should be.

Let’s dive into some of the most powerful ways we can experience this relationship. But first, we need to start with the foundation, the one role that makes everything else possible.

Jesus as Our Savior: The Door That Changed Everything

Picture John the Baptist having what seemed like just another regular day by the Jordan River, baptizing people left and right. Then he looks up and sees Jesus walking toward him. This was the moment he’d been preparing for his entire life.

What were John’s first words when he saw Jesus approaching? “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

That’s it. That’s the heart of everything. Jesus came as our Savior, the Lamb of God who takes away our sin. The name “Jesus” literally means “The Lord saves.” He told us plainly: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Before Jesus, we were all standing outside in the cold, lost, alone, without hope. But when we put our faith in Him, it’s like walking through a door into warmth, love, and belonging. Jesus said it himself: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Take a moment right now to thank Jesus for being your Savior. Seriously, pause reading and just express your gratitude for what He did on the cross.

Once Jesus becomes your Savior, it’s like stepping into the most incredible all-access pass you could imagine. Every spiritual resource, every blessing, every promise, it’s all suddenly available because you’re now “inside” the family of God.

Jesus as Our Shepherd: The Guide We Desperately Need

One of my favorite ways to think about Jesus is as my Shepherd. Read John 10:1-15 and Psalm 23, these passages are packed with benefits that come from being Jesus’ sheep.

That verse in Psalm 23:4 always hits me hard: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

I’ve stood beside caskets of people I love. I’ve made mistakes that required the Shepherd’s rod of correction (and trust me, the Lord disciplines those He loves). I’ve needed His staff of protection when spiritual wolves were circling. And yes, I’ll admit it: this sheep has fallen into a few ditches because of my own carelessness, and my Shepherd has had to pull me out.

Can you relate? We all need a Shepherd because, let’s be honest, we’re not smart enough to navigate life on our own.

Jesus as Our Source: The Vine That Sustains Us

In John 15, Jesus gives us this incredible picture: He’s the Vine, and we’re the branches. This isn’t just a nice metaphor: it’s a game-changer for how we understand our spiritual lives.

Because Jesus is our Vine and we’re grafted into Him, we have access to all the nutrients and resources we need to bear fruit for His glory. We’re not running on empty, trying to manufacture spiritual growth in our own strength. We’re connected to an unlimited Source.

This is huge for anyone in ministry of worship or serving as a church leader. You’re not expected to produce spiritual fruit from your own limited resources. You’re drawing from the infinite Source of life itself.

Jesus as Our Sibling: The Family Connection

Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough in most churches: Jesus is our Big Brother.

When Jesus was teaching a crowd and His family came to see Him, He pointed to His disciples and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:49-50).

Romans 8:16-17 makes it even clearer: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”

Think about what this means: We have the same heavenly Father as Jesus. All the resources and riches available to Jesus are also available to us. Who needs the lottery when you’ve got the Lord, right?

Jesus as Our Friend: The Relationship That Goes Deeper

Jesus doesn’t want to stop at being our Big Brother. He wants to be our closest Friend. Proverbs 18:24 talks about “a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” and that’s exactly what Jesus offers us.

I love how Jesus’ friendship isn’t based on our social status or how “cool” we are. He was “a friend to tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19) when He walked the earth. He’s the Friend who “loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17) and will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Your Friend Jesus is available 24/7. He’s not too busy for you. He doesn’t screen your calls or leave you on read. He’s genuinely interested in doing life with you.

Jesus as Our Lord: The Authority That Matters Most

Now here’s the crucial part that ties everything together: In every aspect of our relationship with Jesus, He must be our Lord.

• As our Savior, He earned the right to be our Master by paying the ultimate price for us
• As our Shepherd, He directs where we go and what we do (and honestly, sheep aren’t smart enough to make those decisions anyway!)
• As our Source, He decides what we need for life, health, and spiritual growth
• As our Sibling, He’s the firstborn with all the rights and authority that come with that position
• As our Friend, He only calls us friends when we obey Him: “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14)

I remember having it out with God one night during my senior year of high school. I was driving, upset about something God was asking me to do. I didn’t want to do it, didn’t see the need, and wanted to know why I had to.

Right in the middle of my rant, God’s voice cut through clearly: “It’s none of your business.”

After I got over my shock at what seemed like a rude response, God gently reminded me of 1 Corinthians 6: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”

That was a turning point for me. I realized that before Jesus could be my Shepherd, Source, Sibling, or Friend, I had to yield to Him as my Lord.

Your Turn: Making It Personal

As worship leaders and church leaders, we often focus so much on helping others connect with Jesus that we forget to nurture our own relationship with Him. But here’s the thing: you can’t lead people somewhere you haven’t been yourself.

Which of these aspects of your relationship with Jesus resonates most with you right now? Are you primarily relating to Him as Savior, Shepherd, Source, Sibling, Friend, or Lord?

Take some time right now to:

1. Pray and ask the Lord to help you completely yield everything in your life to Him. Hold nothing back.
2. Reflect on areas where you might be resisting His lordship. Where are you still trying to be the boss of your own life?
3. Journal about how understanding Jesus in these different roles changes your perspective on your current challenges or circumstances.

If possible, physically bow before God right now. Sometimes our bodies need to catch up with what our hearts are saying about His authority in our lives.

Living It Out in Ministry

Whether you’re leading a praise team, serving in women in worship ministry, or engaged in worship missions, your relationship with Jesus is the foundation for everything you do. When that relationship is strong and multi-faceted, it overflows into authentic ministry that transforms lives.

At Next Level Worship, we’ve seen how worship leaders who truly understand their relationship with Jesus become more effective in ministry. They’re not just leading songs: they’re leading people into an encounter with the living God.

Remember Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” When Jesus is your Savior, Shepherd, Source, Sibling, Friend, and Lord, you have everything you need to hear Him say “Well done” at the end of your life.

The question isn’t whether Jesus wants a deeper relationship with you: He absolutely does. The question is whether you’re ready to embrace all the ways He wants to relate to you and respond with complete surrender to His lordship.

Your relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship you’ll ever have. It’s time to get real about making it everything God intended it to be.