Jesus is really with us
“THE BOOK OF THE GENEALOGY of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah…[forty-two generations] …Matton the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ” (Matthew 1:1-17).
Thus, the number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen; and the generations from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations, and from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.
Tracing my genealogy on Ancestry.com back to my great grandfather Wilhelm in Russia gives me limited knowledge of three generations. Compare this to forty-two generations from Abraham to Jesus, and I am awed by the historical facts of it all. Jesus did exist as a human being with a rich ancestry. Jesus is real.
The Evangelist John in his opening chapter writes about evidence of the senses. He looked upon Jesus, heard and touched his life. Thus, God made visible his own existence through Jesus. Jesus revealed the life and existence of God through many miracles. John travelled many miles and many days with the Son of God.
Then after the resurrection of Jesus the disciples ate food with him and walked with him. Again, we have the witness of the senses – they heard and saw and touched a real resurrected Christ. And the disciples saw Jesus ascend into heaven.
A great proof of the reality of Jesus is the behaviour of the disciples as witnesses. Before the crucifixion they faithlessly betrayed Jesus and fled in fear. Compare this to the disciples after the resurrection. Then they faced persecution and martyrdom fearlessly. The Holy Spirit is real.
How do we fare in comparison? Father David Michael shares how some people say they don't go to church because "people there were sinful and hypocritical." Instead of pointing out the obvious judgment involved, Father Michael gives us an apt analogy.
All types of persons go to the gym to work out. Attending regularly will have obvious benefits irrespective of your level of fitness. So it is with church attendance. I can say I am a practising Catholic. I can also say that I will practise until I get it right. Practise makes perfect!
If you attended services this Christmas, this can be a springboard to regular attendance. The Incarnation was meant for all. “Come, let us climb the Lord’s Mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob” (Isaiah 2:3.). The Lord wants everyone to come to his love and mercy.
“The lord of Hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines” (Isaiah 25:6). By his resurrection Jesus removed the veil separating us from heaven. There is much to look forward to.
I just recently celebrated a New Year’s gathering with extended family. We literally shared a feast of rich food and choice wines. We also remembered a sibling who went home to God this past year and was with us in spirit. There is much to look forward to as we continue our journey towards eternal life.
In 1 John 2:18-21 John tells us “You have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you have the knowledge.” We have the baptism of Christ, the truth that sets us free. He writes to us because we have the truth. We have heard the words of eternal life.
May we journey through 2025 in the Light of Christ.
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