There’s talk of a “quiet revival” going on in Britain, with more young people, particularly men, coming to church. It’s not dramatic, but it’s a shift. As a Christian minister, I’m delighted and I’m always keen to clarify with people who are exploring Christianity, what is at the heart of the faith?
And the answer is: Jesus Christ himself. A Christian is someone who has a living relationship with the man, Christ Jesus.
Who is this man? Well, his birth was marked by all kinds of strange signs – angels, shepherds, and visits from mysterious, wealthy men. He was born into a poor family. His mother had to choose the cheaper sacrifice for her purification after his birth. His family fled to Egypt for a time. He grew up in obscurity, in a remote backwater, called Nazareth, practicing the trade of his step-father, Joseph.
Yet, even aged 12, he could amaze the scholars in Jerusalem with his learning. During his ministry, men on the street heard him gladly. He spoke in the most down-to-earth ways. His preaching was filled with vivid images from people’s everyday experience: light and fire, birds and barns, pigs and pearls. He talked to people about the coming “kingdom of God”, which would arrive through his death and resurrection, and climax in his return. He told everyone to be ready.
He performed nature miracles, which scared even his disciples, healing miracles, which brought elation to the sick, and exorcisms, which freed the powerless men, women, and children from the grip of evil. He spoke to vast crowds, and yet stopped everything he was doing to help 12-year old girls, and vulnerable widows.
He wrote nothing down, told his disciples to put away their swords, only met the political authorities of his day briefly, and died alone, betrayed by one of his twelve disciples, and abandoned by the rest. But three days later he rose from the dead! And nothing about those events was accidental. It was all prophesied and planned, and Jesus underwent them all voluntarily.
Christians are people who know this man, Jesus, and recognise that underneath the weakness of his flesh is none other than the almighty Son of God. It is through his humble, costly sacrifice, that guilty and enslaved men, women and children can find peace with God.
I’m pleased there’s revived interest in Christianity, but am praying it focuses on the real Jesus and the peace with God that he brings.