JESUS THE ANSWER?

In the last article we looked at salvation as the need of the world, and that Jesus Christ the Son of God was and is the answer that God provided. He came forth from the Father. But exactly what does He have that should attract people to Him?

John 1:10 &11 says that Jesus was in the world and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own and His own did not know Him. My question would be why was He in the world? Well, verse 4 of the same chapter tells us that in Jesus had been life, and the life had been the light of men. That’s the reason why He came; He wanted us to have the life that is in Him. And this is the very reason why He is the answer to all mankind.

To understand what this means we must try to break down the verses one by one. Firstly, what is this life spoken of, is it different from the life man is already living? Yes, the life is different; it is more than just physical life. The word for this life in original Greek is Zoe, meaning the God-kind of life. It is the principle of life in the spirit and soul; it is the highest and best form of life. This is why the Lord said He came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. You see, it is only out of this life that existence, sustenance, purpose, identity, fulfilment, joy and peace flow. It is not the material life people are longing for but fulfilled life, which is exactly what Christ has to offer.

Secondly, we are told that this life is the light of men. Do you understand what that means? Well, the original translation likens it to light as that of a shining sun as opposed to the moon or fire. You see, the principle is that this light can neither be kindled nor quenched. In other words, it continues to shine. The life in Christ is eternal, hallelujah! Also, just as the light of the sun is for the development of plants, so is the life of Christ for the development of men as they expose themselves to it. The presence of Christ’s life in us results in love, joy, peace, meaning, identity, and all that is God’s will for mankind; while its absence results in misery, vice, emptiness, darkness, hopelessness and all wanting. This is so because man was not meant to exist and develop independent of God. Christ made that point clear when He said in John 15 that in the grand divine plan He is the true vine and those believing in Him are the branches. He said that we can not develop or do anything tangible apart from Christ. Bearing fruit, which is the uttermost expression of humanity, is only possible in Him. Therefore, these are the reasons why He is the answer since all we long for is wrapped up in the Saviour. Perhaps that is why He is called Saviour; He came to salvage that which was corrupted.

So friend, have you been to the Lord to find meaning and be reconciled to Him? And for those who have, are we drawing from Christ the riches He came to give? The scriptures are clearly expounded before your eyes, don’t miss your moment. May the Almighty God bless you as you reflect!

To be continued....