In his book, "The Road Less Travelled", Peck Scott observed that, "Confronting and solving problems is a painful process which most of us attempt to avoid." For determined problem solvers, however, no price is too high to pay. They could risk anything including their lives to fix an outstanding problem. That was exactly what Jesus Christ did!
On 25th December every year, the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated. There is a cogent reason for this celebration which is connected to mystery that is associated with the redeeming power that is ever present in the name of Jesus. The power that is in the name brings great joy to those who believe, but sorrow to those who do not as the reality of death and hell crystallises in their minds!
Before the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the world was in shambles. The fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden had polluted the world. Through them, all me have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The man that was created in the glorious image of God had gone astray in pursuit of his evil schemes (Ecclesiastes 7:27-28).
The situation of the world at the time, and even now could best be described in Shakesperean's words: "Hell is empty and all the devils are here." The world was so corrupt and cruel eliciting God's anger and regret for creating man. The cruelty that was in the world could be mirrored in Stephen Crane's fable cited in the book written by Harry Harrison entitle, "Planet of the Damned". In the fable, "A man said to the Universe: "Sir, I exist". "However", replied the Universe, "the fact has not created in me a sense of obligation."" In other words, the Universe was literarily saying, you are on your own, i am under no obligation to care - protect, provide and guide you.
The world was in a state of anarchy where anything goes. It was also in its darkest moment, a situation of man eating man feeling normal as if nothing happens. This turn of events was not the original plan of God for man hence the need for redemption of man from dark abyss of sin and eminent condemnation. The birth of Jesus Christ, therefore, signifies the illumination of a dark world. It, also, signifies the ushering in of a new government that entrenches justice, restores orderliness and peace universal and everlasting. Of course, if there is anything the world craves, it is good governance and enduring peace.
Good governance is a government that is anchored on constitutionalism where its institutions are strong enough to root out corruption. It is about due diligence and probity (transparency and accountability). Good governance is compassionate and it is sustained by love empathy and the equalisation of opportunities for all. It does not allocate opportunities based on patronage (prebendalism).
The prophesy of the great redemption move was documented in Isaiah 9:2-8 (NIV), especially verses 2, 3, 6 and 7 which reads: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." A profound prophecy has whose reality has since come to past in the New testament.
The world is currently living under God's love revolution through Jesus Christ. In other words, the illumination and restoration of man and his world has been consummated in the birth, death and resurrection Jesus Christ Christ. In John 3: 16, the Scripture says: "For God so loved the world and gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." This means that those who believe in this total redemption process, have seen great light and living in the exceeding joy of being saved. The following Chorus bears such witness: 'I've got in my heart, peace in my heart, happiness in my heart all the time; Jesus is my peace, till my journey ends, I have got joy in my heart all the time'!
The darkness that the world is currently witnessing has been a derivative of man's rebellion to God's model of life. Through Jesus Christ, the provision has been made, but the scale has not fallen off the eyes of those whose hearts have refused to yield to God's extravagant grace. They can be happy through the works of their hand but never joyous in life. Being happy has to do with external motivations; being joyous, on the other hand, draws motivation from internal peace irrespective of what happens outside them.
The world is still wallowing in darkness, but the situation would have been worst with the coming of Jesus Christ. The name Jesus is a profile in redemptive virtues. He is love and compassion personified. Jesus conceded his comfort zone for our sake. Though without sin, he bore our transgressions. NK God, captured this trade-off well in her song which says: "He paid the debt that i owe; i owe the debt I could not pay." What a work of sacrificial love and unmerited grace, hallelujah!
The best of Christmas is celebrated in understanding of the generous gift of salvation. Christmas is not about wild celebration but a period for thanksgiving for the great act of love of God towards humanity.
The testimony of the Jesus Christ, in John 10:10, confirmed and revealed that: "The thief (devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." This onerous mission of the Redeemer, our friend, is a heart-warming one because, the devil is an enemy; and in elementary International Relations (IR), an enemy's enemy is a friend!
God has shown humanity great love. As beneficiaries of this rare benevolence, we are obligated to replicate same to others now and always. In doing this, we are guided to 'love people from our heart, not from our mood and needs.'
As a conclusion, people all over the world are called to join in meditatively singing just the three (3) stanzas of this timeless song, "Joy to the World", by Phil Wickham (2019), to usher in the Christmas celebration. If you are ready, let's go: 'Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and Heaven and nature sing...
'Joy to the world the saviour reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy...
'He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love
Joy to the world...'
Happy Christmas celebration, and a prosperous new year ahead to all and sundry!
(Modest Thought with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, 24th December, 2023; 08116181263; loisayuba420@gmail.com).
No comments:
Post a Comment