Volume IV, Issue LI
What is Truth? Can This Man Really Save the World?
The 'other' weekly news magazine features 'The Enforcer' [click to read], asking: "Can NFL Commissioner, Rodger Goodell Save Football?" We at THYME are concerned with somewhat larger issues as we face the 'fiscal cliff,' record deficits and the descent of the much heralded 'Arab Spring' into bitter Winter. What IS humanity's hope? Does G-d care? Are we really to look to ourselves alone for the answers to the problems that vex us?
The message of Christmas is told in Matthew 1:23: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, G-d with us." It builds on a promise given to Abraham in Genesis 26: "And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed."
The painting 'Behold the Man' by Antonio Ciseri depicts the Child of Bethlehem, now a man, before Pilate, the Roman Ruler. John's Gospel states: "Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all." Pilate also asked if Jesus was a King? Indeed, Pilate's demeanor towards this itinerant rabbi and his subsequent attempt to set him free tell us that this hard politician saw something saw something significant in the simple man before him.
In an earlier story, we looked at the song: Joy to the World [click to read]. We discovered that the song actually was written about the triumphant return of Christ to rule the world, the hope of Christians for Centuries! Indeed, there is much to consider about Jesus. Hebrews 11:6 says: "...he that cometh to G-d must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." What does that entail? How might this journey begin?
The life of Christ has been examined by many since Pilate. Some have dismissed him but men like C. S. Lewis and Josh McDowell, who actually set out to disprove His claims, came to Faith in Him. C. S. Lewis wrote Mere Christianity to explain much of what he learned. McDowell penned Evidence that Demands a Verdict.
This year, at the Holiday Season, I invite you to reflect on the 'Conundrum of Christmas.' Who is the babe in that manger, and what is the significance of His life? Click on the link below to watch The Jesus Film, a very well researched overview of the life of Christ.
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