Jesus Christ: The Reason for the Season

The Christmas season is upon us, but as I sit here and write this I am once again reminded that we have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

News reports, social media, and even our conversations with each other speak to the systemic problem we are facing. Rather than repair it, we seem to dig ourselves in deeper; clutching tighter to our misguided beliefs and opinions.

In this era of celebrated diversity, where we happily divide ourselves into niche groups, we fail to remember that Jesus came into the world to save all of humanity. “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.” (Luke 9:56)

As our troubles increase, I see a multitude of people searching for an answer, but their eyes can’t see what is right in front of them.

There was a recent article which I believe highlights the spiritual problem we face, and that is religious hypocrisy. The mantra of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ which has plagued all religion. Too often we see in our alleged religious leaders a pattern of behavior that is neither proper nor godly. This was something I touched on in my book: Where Was God? An NYPD first responder’s search for answers following the terror attack of September 11th 2001

In my book, I wrote about faith leaders who use God’s pulpit to enrich their own lives while their congregations suffer. This problem is not exclusive to Christianity, but is found everywhere that people are in-charge and it is not limited to this era either. The Bible provides numerous examples of Jesus calling out the religious leaders of the day for their hypocrisy. We find such example in Matthew 23: 1-5, Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples: “The scribes and Pharisees,” He said, “sit on the seat of Moses. So you must do whatever they tell you, and keep it, but don’t do the things they do. You see, they talk but they don’t do. They tie up heavy bundles which are difficult to carry, and they dump them on people’s shoulders – but they themselves aren’t prepared to lift a little finger to move them! Everything they do is for show, to be seen by people.”

Why do I bring this up? Because I truly believe that we are living in a time when it is imperative for us to remember exactly why Jesus came to Earth and what His mission was; to save the world.

In 2013, a poll of 1,000 people, conducted by the Barna Research Group, based in Ventura, California, asked, "Do you, personally, believe that the world is currently living in the ‘end times’ as described by prophecies in the Bible, or not?” An astounding forty-one percent said yes.

In 2020, a poll of 1,000 people, conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, produced similar results.

Also in 2020, a poll of 1,000 pastors, by LifeWay Research, determined that nearly 9 in 10 see at least some current events matching those Jesus said would occur shortly before he returns to Earth. Interestingly, this poll was conducted before the current COVID pandemic hit.

Do I believe we are living in the end times? Unfortunately, I do.

It might sound strange to use the word unfortunately, but I believe it to be wholly appropriate as it pertains to the end times. Pew Research polls, conducted in 2007 and 2014, point to a decline in Christianity and religion overall, while showing an increase in those with no religious beliefs. Why is this significant? Well, if we are living in the end times, as many believe, then what is at stake is eternal life.

Where Was God? had started out to be my story in regards to the September 11th attack, but it soon turned into an investigation as to whether God even existed. I am ashamed to say it, but, having been a practicing Catholic for a large part of my life, I was woefully ignorant as to what the Bible actually said. As I researched the story of Jesus Christ, I reached the conclusion that not only did He exist, but that He was who He said He was.

Two things struck me as I researched the book.

1. To Christians, Jesus is the Savior and the central figure of Christianity. For some Jews He is seen as a rabbi, but by the larger religious authority He is viewed as an apostate. To Muslims He is recognized as a messenger of God and the Messiah sent to guide the Israelites with a new scripture. Some Hindus consider Jesus to be an avatar or a sadhu, while some Buddhists regard Jesus as a bodhisattva; someone who dedicated His life to the welfare of people. Of the worlds estimated seven billion plus inhabitants, not only do the vast majority believe in some form of monotheism, that is the belief in the existence of one God that created the world, but they also acknowledge the historical existence of Jesus.

2. The Mathematical probability that Jesus is Christ – Bible scholar, J. Barton Payne, contends that there are as many as 574 verses in the Old Testament that reference the coming Messiah. Alfred Edersheim notes 456 Old Testament verses referencing the Messiah or His times. Conservatively, it is believed that Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His earthly ministry. If we look at Micah, Daniel, and David, these prophecies were made anywhere from five hundred to a thousand years before the birth of Christ. So what are the mathematical odds that this could happen? Well, we have that answer.  A professor at Westmont College calculated the probability of one man fulfilling the major prophecies made concerning the Messiah. The estimates were worked out by twelve different classes representing some 600 university students. The students carefully weighed all the factors, discussed each prophecy at length, and examined the various circumstances which might indicate that men had conspired together to fulfill a particular prophecy. They made their estimates conservative enough, so that there was finally unanimous agreement even among the most skeptical students. However, the professor then took their estimates and made them even more conservative. He also encouraged other skeptics or scientists to make their own estimates to see if his conclusions were more than fair. Finally, he submitted his figures for review to a committee of the American Scientific Affiliation. Upon examination, they verified that his calculations were dependable and accurate regarding the scientific material presented. So what were his findings? After examining only eight different prophecies, they conservatively estimated that the chance of one man fulfilling all eight prophecies was one in 10^17. To illustrate how large the number 10^17 is (a figure with 17 zeros), the professor gave this illustration: Suppose that we take 10^17 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and thoroughly stir the entire mass all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up the one silver dollar that has the special mark on it. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would’ve had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man, from their day to the present time.

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.” (John 5: 39-40)

So, if Christ is real, then how can we turn a blind eye to the things He said would happen?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14: 6)

This Christmas, I challenge you to remember why we are celebrating. Jesus is the gift that came into this world to save us. Who among you would leave a gift under the tree because you don’t believe the gift exists?

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

I will close with this thought: From time to time I have been confronted by non-believers who question why I believe. My answer to them is simple: “If I believe in a fairy tale, that Jesus died for my sins, and that belief then causes me to live my life, not perfectly, but in trying to be a good person to others, what harm have I done? What have I lost?”

Have I wasted anything by accepting Christ’s death and resurrection as payment for my sins? What cost is there in surrendering myself to this? If I am wrong, what have I lost? I led a moral life, was kind to others, and then I died. But, and this is an enormous but, if I am right and you are wrong, and there is an eternal life, will you find yourself wishing you had believed in the fairy tale?

I don’t know about you, but I am not willing to take that chance.  Mock me if you will, but this Christmas I will proclaim loudly that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I accept the gift of His salvation.

To you an yours I wish a blessed Christmas and I pray that 2021 will bring you closer to Him.