He Is the Reason
Some say, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Notwithstanding the fact that Christmas as a religious holiday did not originate in apostolic times, it is a testimony to the remarkable influence of Jesus of Nazareth that many still attempt to remember His coming. Although there is much misunderstanding, here is a reminder of a powerful statement recorded in the New Testament Book of John: “. . .[T]he world is gone after Him” (12:19). The truth is He is the Reason for every [good] season whether intrinsically or instrumentally (cf. James 1:17; John 1:1-3, 14; Colossians 1:15-17). A text in Ecclesiastes says, “for everything there is a season and a time” (3:1ff). Daniel speaks of God who “changes times and seasons”(2:21). Such reveals “God as the Lord of time” (Hailey 40). Ultimately, God is still in control!
November 30, 2020, an announcement came concerning a group of secular activists led by two co-chairs (Congressmen Raskin and Huffman) of the U. S. Congressional Freethought Caucus who have crafted a 28 page document calling for an agenda of secular “values” to be instituted by the Executive branch of the U. S. government. One illustration of the radical changes called for is a recommendation regarding the national motto of “In God We Trust” adopted in 1956. Arguing on behalf of nontheists and polytheists there is a call for the motto “E. Pluribus Unum” (out of many, one) to be used instead of “In God We Trust.” Furthermore, rather than characterizing the founding of our nation as based in biblical principles the aforementioned secular document presented to the projected incoming administration affirms the United States of America as “a secular nation based in revolutionary democratic ideas.”
Peter wrote to Christians facing persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Rather than allowing themselves to be intimidated by opponents of the Christian faith, Peter gave this admonition: “. . . [S]anctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15, NKJV). The reason for the hope is the One in whom the hope rests. It is Jesus. He is the Reason. Peter wrote that it was through Jesus they had come to “believe in God who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:21).
* Jesus is The Supreme Revelation of God. Peter says “through Him [you] believe in God.” DNA encoded in a single cell in a human body is an absolutely awesome revelation of the existence of God (cf. Psalm 139:14; Romans 1:19-20). The amazing contingency, teleology, and morality evidenced in a living human body imply God. However, Deity incarnated in a human body is even more obviously amazing (cf. John 1:1-3, 14)! It also proves the very existence of God.
* Jesus is the Supreme Interpretation of Suffering. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree . . .“ (1 Peter 2:24). If there is purpose in the most horribly agonizing instance of suffering (i.e. the cross of Christ), then it is possible for all lesser instances of suffering (persecution, war, virus, famine, betrayal, sickness, extreme loss, et al.) to be purposeful (cf. Romans 8:28, 31-39).
* Jesus is The Supreme Signification of Hope. “God . . . raised Him from the dead . . . so that your faith and hope are in God.” The resurrection clinches the Christological argument for God. It is the sign of imperishable hope!
He who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) provides proof of God, purpose in suffering, and power over death in 2020 and in every year. As one grows in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18), he sees Jesus’ love growing sweeter as the years go by!