I love spending time with my buddies from High School. One of my favorite things about it is that we have a lot of contrasting beliefs; we are constantly debating about topics like creation, salvation, hope in Jesus, and the existence of God. We have developed an awesome relationship over the years that allows us to have these conversations. So when deciding what to write about I asked them what they would be interested in reading; this began an hour discussion varying from the progressing architecture of church buildings, to current drug epidemics, and somehow landed on a very intriguing question, “Why is Jesus relevant in 2019?”
I didn’t understand the question, in its fullest, at first but after digging deeper found there is confusion around the thought of a man who lived on earth 2000 years ago being needed in today's culture. Paraphrasing a quote from my good friend David, “Our world is so different now. The issues people in 2019 are facing are different than when Jesus lived, people are dealing with things like depression and anxiety; How would Jesus have addressed these?”
When we take a look back at the culture and society of when Jesus lived it is decently different from the society we live in today. There were no cars, or TVs, or cellphones, or mass transportation; although, I bet the Israelites could have used a couple of charter buses or at the least a few dune buggies during their 40 years in the desert. But while there are some differences, much was the same and when we look at the topic of depression and anxiety, I don’t think these were foreign to this time period. You see, many would argue that a lot of these emotions come from social comparison or unmet expectation; a college student who sees people on facebook who are younger than them that are more successful financially, or a High Schooler who needs to take the perfect picture to get enough likes to feel attractive.
"We as adults are guilty of these comparisons as well. We constantly wish we had more because of the people around us who have it."
We as adults are guilty of these comparisons as well. We constantly wish we had more because of the people around us who have it. These emotions and desires aren’t new in the 21st century, nor are the effects of them. In the Bible days, there was this group of people called the Pharisees, they were the higher ups, the fancy, the people who acted like they could do no wrong, and for many they were “life goals.” If one could gain the acceptance of the Pharisees by trying to be more and more like them they would attain a level of superiority and people would approve of them. The only problem was the Pharisees were some of the most judgmental and demeaning people of the time, so it was rare that anyone was good enough to be welcomed by them. They made you feel worthless and unforgivable and like you would never be enough.
When I think about the root of the emotional strain on this society I think about the desire to look desirable in someone’s eyes, or the desire to feel wanted or needed or well-liked. I can’t help but think about the people in the time of Jesus that fell to their knees in worship of Him because of the realization that they needed no one else's approval. They stopped chasing after the approval of the world and turned and surrendered to the One True God, who had the grace and forgiveness that was sustainable for righteousness and holiness.
Many have heard the story of Jesus, whom the Bible says was fully God and fully man (John 1:14), was born of a virgin and lived a perfect life performing miracles and spreading love and forgiveness to all who would accept it. This perfect man died one of the most gruesome deaths recorded in history on the cross because the people on this earth were in need of a savior. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice so that mankind did not have to suffer the consequences of God’s wrath on sin. Three days later, with holes in His hands, rose again, conquering death!
So where does Jesus fit into 2019? Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.” He died for the sins of the many, his love and sacrifice covered the sins of the Jew, the Gentile, the pagan, the priest, the slave, the slave owner, the depressed, the anxious, the one with doubt, the one with hate in their heart; Jesus Christ died in your place and he took on your sin as His own and the Bible says, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
"You are never too far gone, your burdens are never to heavy; your failures, your anxiousness, your depression, He wants to take it all."
When we find our worth in the opinions and approval of others we will never be enough. When your identity is found in the person you’ve become or the decisions of your past you will never experience freedom in your heart. But when we seek first after the everlasting Jesus of 2019, and beyond, we know that with Jesus we are loved and adored and cherished and enough. You are no longer defined by the world; neither by your successes or your failures. When your identity is found in Jesus Christ, there is no anxiety of the future because of the trust in the promises of God. When your identity is found in Jesus there is no need for the approval of the world because the God of the Universe knows your name and calls you son or daughter. You are never too far gone, your burdens are never to heavy; your failures, your anxiousness, your depression, He wants to take it all. Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday and forever will be; the same Jesus that rose from the dead dwells in heaven and wants you to let him change your life, in 2019.
Written by Jordan Arce,
WellYouth Lead at Wellspring Church
