Christians sometimes use the phrase Jesus is enough as an encouraging tidbit, but what does it really mean? Jesus is “enough” for what?
Jesus is enough to save us. Jesus has “by one sacrifice . . . made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14). Peter preached that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only name that can take away our sin and save us—the “name of Jesus” representing all that Jesus Christ is and does. There is literally no one and nothing else that we could add to Christ to aid our salvation. He finished the work on the cross (John 19:30), and what He did is enough to save us.
Jesus is enough to provide for us. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” This echoes Jesus’ words about God’s care for His creation: the sparrows and grass do not worry or toil for food or clothes (Matthew 6:25–31). It follows that, since God cares for such lowly things in creation, He will also take care of His people. Jesus has the ability and the desire to supply every need we have.
Jesus is enough to bless us. Paul said that God “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). He didn’t say a “few” spiritual blessings; he said “every” spiritual blessing. Since we can’t add anything more to “every,” Jesus is truly enough for every spiritual need we have.
Jesus is enough to equip us. We have the promise that God’s “divine power has bestowed on us (absolutely) everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Once again, the language here shows we cannot add anything more: absolutely everything is all-encompassing. Nothing but Jesus is needed to equip us for living a life that pleases God.
Jesus is enough to strengthen us. When Paul prayed three times to the Lord to remove the thorn from his flesh, the response was “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Even when we are weak, Jesus’ strength is enough to carry us onward. In fact, our weakness only perfects His power, which leaves no room for adding another power source.
Jesus is enough to comfort us. In fact, He is the “God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3), meaning while bound in time like animals, yet we have a sense of our own eternity like angels (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We humans suffer distress in a unique “three-dimensional” way—past, present and future. We remember previous distresses and are filled with grief or regrets (Genesis 37:35; Matthew 26:75). We face each day’s troubles and worry (Matthew 6:25–32). We reflect on these things and dread what may come next (verse 34). And beyond these worldly matters is that most distressing sensation of all, the guilt for having deeply, inexcusably offended our good and righteous Creator and Judge (James 2:10–11; Revelation 6:16). Believers in Christ have a comfort from Jesus that includes a true freedom from guilt. For Christians, our righteous Judge is also our loving Savior (John 3:16–17)—a sharp contrast with the terrifying assortment of distant, cruel, or unappeasable deities of the ancient world into which Paul brought the good news of free, complete and irrevocable forgiveness, reconciliation, and adoption (Romans 3:23–25; 2 Corinthians 5:11–21; 1 John 3:1–2). In fact, all three Persons of the Trinity participate in comforting us just by being with us. That is enough. The Father is always with us, as He was with Moses (Exodus 3:12) and the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6–8). So, too, are the Son (Matthew 28:20; John 14:18) and the Spirit (John 14:16–17). Hence, Paul confidently ends his letter to the Corinthians with the beautiful blessing: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Jesus is all we need; there is nothing and no one to add to Christ. His person and His work are perfect. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He is the only one who can save, provide, bless, equip, and strengthen. Having faith in Christ involves trusting in His complete sufficiency.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that he died for me (E. E. Hewitt).
On the night of Jesus arrest, Philip made a request of the Lord: “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us” (John 14:8). Jesus’ answer was that He is enough: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (verse 9). Philip thought he needed something else—maybe another sign, maybe a little more revelation—and that would suffice. But Philip already had all he needed, standing right in front of him. For Philip. For me. For you. Jesus…is…enough.