Who is Your Christ?

 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. ~ Matthew 24:6

     It seemed fitting to reference Jesus’s Olivet Discourse considering frightening developments on Russia’s border with Ukraine, the ongoing tensions between opposing ideologies in our homeland, and the persistence of the pandemic. I do not consider it prudent or fruitful to use this space for speculation about current affairs and End-Time events. The main thing to take away from Jesus’s predictions on the Mount of Olives is, “See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” Informed Christian Believers recognize times like these are part of an ongoing historical global pattern. Jesus said the most important thing is to, “See that no one leads you astray.” (Matthew 24:4) 

     Magicians are entertainers who are highly skilled in the art of misdirection. In fact, the word “magic” comes from a root that refers to “trickery.” An excellent magician diverts the observer's attention from the trick at the precise moment it happens and thus convinces the observer that something supernatural occurred. So it is with God’s enemy, the great deceiver. We must endeavor to seek the truth during times of major anxiety and distraction because they are diversions. Where is God at work in our world, even in our midst locally? (The great majestic, “I Am” can be in both.)

     If Jesus warned his closest earthly companions against false messiahs, it must have been for good reason. Amen? What is a messiah or christ? At first glance, the warning suggests that someone might come claiming to be everything Jesus is, or everything his detractors thought he should be. A messiah is a sacred deliverer or conquering savior; an anointed god-like character with the answers to all our problems; a powerful leader capable of defeating our enemies and elevating us to power over them. If that is the sort of false Christ Jesus referred to, then history and current affairs present a steady stream of them. The deception is because of ignorance and foolishness about who and what the true Messiah is. 

     From the announcement of His conception as the child of Mary, the Son of God, Christ Jesus was a contradiction and conundrum to those whose flesh, informed by the Enemy’s pride and greed, craved the savior described above. The Apostle Paul said, “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25) precisely for that reason. If we do not keep our eyes and ears focused upon Jesus Christ, we will easily fall back to the ways of the world. In perilous times like these, it is truly a matter of life and death. A self proclaimed Christian whose savior bears Jesus’s name but not his likeness will rally around an ideology that is much like the golden calf of the Exodus Israelites, who credited it for their deliverance from bondage to Egypt. (Exodus 32) The secular humanist is, for all intents and purposes, a child of biblical Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, or Rome. 

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:2

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ~ 1 John 4:15

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 2:5

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. ~ Acts 4:12

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ~ 1 John 4:9

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ~ Romans 10:9

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ~ John 15:12

Who is your Christ? 

How does He hold your attention in these times? 

How does He cause you to see the world differently? 

How does the world see you differently because of Him?