The ability of man to understand himself and maximise his totality as a being created in the image and likeness of God is dependent upon his revelation of who Jesus is.
Annually the birth (Christmas), the death and Resurrection (Easter) of Jesus Christ are celebrated. Jesus was and still is so many things to so many persons. During his earthly journey He once called His disciples to know people’simpression about him, and he said: ‘who do men say that I the son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13-17).
Reflecting on John 1:1-14.
1-5, 12-14
• Jesus existed from the beginning of time.
• Through him all things where created and function.
• He gives life to everything desiring life.
• He brings light in dark places and situations.
• He generously shares his power with those who receives Him.
• He is the expression of the express image of God Almighty.
Nevertheless to some he is a fiction and imagination of religion; amongst the religionist; some consider him as just a prophet, a teacher, or another man of God; while others, especially Christians He is the long awaited messiah prophesied by the Old Testament prophet fulfilled in the testimonies of the New Testament godly men and women. He came and walked among men, lived, and died by giving His life as a ransom for the sins of the whole world through the crucificial death on the cross; He was buried after three days He rose from death in accordance with the scripture; who when he ascended He gave gifts to men as channels of continuing the work of saving grace, he will come back in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end.
Simeon in Luke 2:25-32
25: And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26: And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27: And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28: Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31: Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Anna in Luke 2:36-38
36: And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37: And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38: And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
The prophecy of these two New Testament Characters points to the mission of Jesus as messiah and Redeemer of Man.
The LORD Jesus come to seek and save that which was lost; this infallible truth is glaring in the gospel of Luke 19:10; “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Simeon acknowledged that Jesus is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel and now for the world and Anna affirmed that He came as the redeemer of mankind.
The Rejection Of Jesus?
John 1:11 said that Jesus came to His own but was rejected; during the earthly journey of Jesus those who were supposed to receive him rejected him: His kinsmen, the Jews, the religious leaders, and the rulers. Today, so many are still rejecting the life and light he brings; some of these people are in Church, some are surnamed Christians yet they reject him, some are those whose life cradle was structured through the programme of the Church and the light, which the life of Christ brings yet they are rejecting him.
Jesus is not rejected based on lack of merit but based on human intentional rebellion against God’s will.
There is a light, which comes with the life of Jesus in a man. Many generations has been illuminated socially, legally, administratively, structurally and humanly by that life. When the life of Jesus is properly appropriated it brings such radiating illumination that touches every aspect of society and human existence. The prophet Isaiah 9:2, affirmed by Mathew 4; declared that those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death have seen great light. The advent of Jesus to any land comes with man discovering himself, his purpose and able to relate properly with his environment. “In Him was life and the life was the light of all men” John1:4. Rejecting Jesus is rejecting life and missing the light his life brings. People can be successful in parts and dimensions but good success comes through the knowledge of who Jesus is.
Jesus Through Time Has Proven That He Is And Will Always Be
• He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
• He is the keeper of creation, and the Creator of all.
• He is the architect of the universe, and the manager of all times.
• He always was, he always is, and he always will be.
• Unmoved, unchanged, undefeated and never undone.
• He was bruised and brought healing.
• He was pierced, in his pain he broke our chain.
• He was persecuted and brought freedom.
• He was dead and brought life.
• He is risen and brings power.
• He reigns and brings peace.
In his manifestation and manifesto
• The world can’t understand him.
• The armies can’t defeat him.
• The schools can’t explain him.
• The leaders can’t ignore him.
While on earth, He faced so many challenges yet!
• Herod couldn’t kill him.
• The Pharisees couldn’t confuse him.
• People couldn’t hold him.
Even after several years of persecution against his body- the Church!
• Nero couldn’t crush him.
• Hitler couldn’t silence him.
• The New Age can’t replace him.
• And science can’t explain him away.
To those whose life he has touched and redeemed
• He is Life, love, longevity, and more.
Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is the Rector Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State (08035413812)
• He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God.
• He is holy, righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
• His ways are right, and the Word is eternal.
• His will is unchanging, and his mind is on me.
To me and my household:
• He is my Redeemer.
• He is my Saviour.
• He is my Guide.
• He is my Peace.
• He is my Joy.
• He is my Comfort.
• He is my Lord, and
• He rules my life.
He came that you might have life and have in abundant. We came to celebrate him and remember his redemptive work of grace; today as we came to celebrate him don’t only offer him your voice or gift offer him your heart and life.
• Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is the Rector Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State (08035413812)
