At this time of year, we hear the saying often, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” It’s catchy. It’s heart-warming. It’s reassuring. However, the hyped “season” of Christmas, which man has designated as the birth-time of Jesus, has no Scriptural basis—neither in historical record or in authoritative command from God. As some have more aptly stated, “Jesus is the reason for every reason.”
Now, with that understanding, think about that saying in relationship to the “season” for which Christians do have authoritative command from God.
Jesus is the reason for the season of my behavior! In the great Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matt. 5:13). Salt was used as a preservative (and still is) to keep food from becoming putrefied or corrupted. Jesus was emphasizing in this passage that the only hope that the earth (i.e., the inhabitants and civilizations of the earth) has for preservation is the seasoning of righteousness and godly living from God’s people (see also Proverbs 14:34). When it comes to my behavior, it needs to be seasoned by Jesus.
Jesus is the reason for the season of my speech! As Paul concluded one of the most practical sections in all of Scripture, he instructed Christians, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt…” (Col. 4:6). As salt provides taste and flavor to our food, the words that we use will all have a certain taste or flavor to them—either a “corrupt word” or “what is good for necessary edification” (Col. 4:6). Another interesting characteristic of salt is that it heals, even though it may hurt or sting initially and in the process. Wisdom says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6). When it comes to my speech, it needs to be seasoned by Jesus.
Jesus is the reason for the season of my preaching! The instructions given to God’s servant Timothy are insightful: “Preach the word!” (2 Tim. 4:2). But when? On Sundays? Wednesdays? Special occasions? The inspired penman continued, “Be ready in season and out of season.” As there is a “hunting season” and a “snowbird season,” is there a “preaching season”? No! God says to preach…whether it is convenient or not…favorable or not…popular or not. When it comes to my preaching of God’s Word, it needs to be seasoned by Jesus.
Are you seasoned by Jesus, seasoned with Jesus and seasoned for Jesus? He is the reason for every season!