As You Follow Christ Jesus

Sports Illustrated (November 12, 2001) ran a cover story about the 2001 World Series. The series featured two come-from-behind victories by the New York Yankees before the Arizona Diamondbacks came back in the bottom of the ninth inning to win Game Seven. The editors printed a list of the 10 biggest comebacks in world history, including Harry Truman's come-from-behind victory in the 1948 presidential election and Michael Jordan's return to the NBA in 1995. The number one comeback on the magazine's list? "Jesus Christ, A.D. 33. Defies critics and stuns the Romans with his resurrection."

Even Sports Illustrated can't ignore Jesus! He is the central figure of history—the head of our church, the Savior of our souls, the focus of our faith, and the source of our hope.

Christ brings harmony to the Bible. Scripture isn't a disjointed compilation of human ideas. It's God's inspired Word that can "make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15). What are the Old Testament books about? Jesus said, "Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms" (Luke 24:44). What are the New Testament books about? "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31).

In Genesis Christ is the promised "seed" of woman who will crush the tempter's head. In Revelation he is the glorious Lamb upon the throne receiving praise from thousands of angels. In between, like a scarlet thread, the blood of Christ winds its way through the Bible, unfolding God's plan for our redemption.

Christ brings unity to the church. Although sincere believers don't see eye-to-eye on every point, we don't have to flounder around in disharmony and strife. Christ brings us a common focus. "You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25).

No sectarian group, denominational label, or manmade theological system should define or confine our relationship with God. "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?" No! "We preach Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:13, 23). Our opinions on non-essentials (called "disputable matters" in Romans 14) don't need to separate us from one another. From God's point of view "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

Most of all, Christ brings purpose to our lives. When we follow Christ, his mission becomes our mission. His goals become our goals—to serve, to seek, to save. His prayer for Christian unity becomes our prayer (John 17:20-23). The Reconciler gives us the ministry of reconciliation. The Peacemaker sends us forth as ambassadors of peace. The Suffering Servant calls us to die to ourselves. The risen Lord invites us to share his victory over sin and death. Members of the first-century church "were one in heart and mind" because their main focus was not to preach their own opinions or attack their brethren, but "to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 4:32, 33).

Paul prayed, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5). No slogan, preacher, seminary, magazine, denomination, or movement can unite us, but Christ can. The closer we are to him, the closer we'll be to each other.