Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

As Jesus came to prominence many people believed in him and many doubted him. The majority of those who

wise men are still seeking Jesus

believed in him were the poorer people who followed him because they had nowhere else to go. The Sanhedrin and the chattering classes did not know what to do about Jesus since according to their theology the Messiah they were looking for would not come from Galilee, moreover from the outpost of Nazareth. So there was confusion among the theologians of the day. They instructed their followers and they plotted to remove Jesus from the scene (John 7:45-52).

 As we reflect on this let us fast forward two thousand years form Jesus’ time. The majority of those who believe in Jesus today are still the poorer classes who have no one else to turn to but God. Many theologians of the day are bringing confusion rather than clarity to people. Jesus is no longer the unique only son of the living God who came to save sinners from their sin, but is presented as one of the ways people could get to God. In many schools, children are not taught pray or to have services that lift up the name of Jesus. Christmas is about eating and drinking and having a good time rather than a time of praise and thanks giving to God the father for sending God the son.  

So we are not much different from our first century counterparts. What do we do with Jesus? Is he a great prophet like Mohammed? Or is he like the Buddha as one who renounces riches to live a life of poverty? Or is he like Zoroaster the Persian God?

The bible foretells of Jesus when it states:-  “And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, 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” (Isaiah 9:6b-7NIV).  

As Christmas comes make Jesus the centre of it all, and bow down and worship him like all wise men do!