Let's Go Back to the Bible

Jesus Is the Reason for…

For a period of about five or six weeks each year, the slogan is tossed around in certain circles and then retired for about eleven months until it emerges again.  While there is zero evidence (Biblically or historically) that Jesus was born on December 25 (in fact, the evidence points away from that time), it does bring a certain satisfaction to hear folks suggest that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”  I don’t say this because I believe that Christmas is a religious holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ, but I do find some joy in knowing that people believe that Jesus is the reason for anything good these days.  But, let’s take a look at Jesus from a Biblical perspective.

Jesus is the reason for redemption. You and I would be utterly damned in our sins if it were not for “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and with spot” that has “redeemed us to God” (1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 5:9).  Are you redeemed by the blood of the Lamb?  Then give praise to Jesus!  He is the reason!

Jesus is the reason for hope. You and I would be eternally doomed if it were not for Jesus Christ!  We possess “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet. 1:3).  And, because our “forerunner has entered for us [into the Presence of God], even Jesus,” we have hope “as an anchor of the soul” (Heb. 6:19-20).  Do you have that hope?  Then give praise to Jesus!  He is the reason!

Jesus is the reason for the church. You and I would know nothing of the church (and maybe care nothing about it) if it were not for Jesus Christ!  When His physical body died on the cross, He “purchased” His spiritual body, the church (Acts 20:28).  How important is the church?  It is “the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12; 1:22-23), saved by “the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13-16).  Are you in His body, the church?  Then give praise to Jesus!  He is the reason!

Jesus is the reason for zeal. You and I need to examine ourselves and honestly measure two things: (1) am I zealous as a Christian? and (2) why?  True zeal as a Christian has nothing to do with me or what I get out of it for myself, but true zeal is all about Jesus.  When “the love of Christ compels us” (2 Cor. 5:14), we will boldly speak His word (Acts 4:13-31) and be truly “zealous for good works” (Tit. 2:14).  Are you burning with zeal?  Then give praise to Jesus!  He is the reason!

Jesus is the reason for…love, joy, peace, grace, mercy, forgiveness, courage, repentance, worship, faithfulness, assurance, obedience, etc.  This list goes on and on.  Don’t let this realization emerge for a few weeks and then go back into hibernation for several months.  Jesus is the reason for who you are and what you have as a Christian!  Give praise to Him!