Some say he is no more than a great story, a myth, a figment of the fertile imagination of religious zealots who needed a founding father.
Some say he was just a minor rabble-rouser, a caustic rebel whose confrontation with hypocritical religious authorities of the day ultimately led to his execution as a criminal.
Others call him an exorcist, a miracle-worker, who mesmerized his followers and made them believe he was more than a common man.
Still others say he was simply a great Jewish teacher - Jesus, son of Joseph, born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago during the Roman occupation of Palestine.
Some refer to Jesus primarily as the successful human founder of one of the world’s great religions, who, along with Buddha and Mohammed, encouraged millions of people around the world to live a life of spirituality, compassion and good works, and to hold high moral standards in an increasingly wicked world.
But Christians insist He was more.
The record of the life and teachings of Jesus contained in just four: books of the New Testament, has accomplished its purpose: “These are written,” one of His disciples tells us, “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).
Before the Beginning
The Bible teaches us that Jesus existed long before the day the angels announced to the shepherds of Bethlehem that they would find the newborn Messiah wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (Luke 2:8-20). Before the creation of the world (Colossians 1:1517), before the beginning of time (Micah 5:2), Jesus already existed, co~ eternal with God, whom Jesus would call the Father (John 1:1-14). Jesus is worshipped, by human beings and the inhabitants of heaven alike, as the Creator of our world (Revelation 4:1-11).
The Long-Awaited Messiah
In the earliest communications between the Creator and His earthbound creatures we hear the promise of an end to sin and suffering, off the coming of a Messiah to save His people (Genesis 3:15; 22:18). Isaiah·; tells us, in words we can never forget that “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus is the supreme demonstration of the active, consuming love of God, given to us by the father so that by believing in Him we might have eternal life (John 3:16). Salvation belongs to Jesus, the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 7:10)
The Conquering King of Kings
But the life and ministry of Jesus does not end with His death on earth. By the power of the source of life, Jesus was raised from His earthly grave to be reunited in heaven with His Father (Hebrews 1:3). There He continues to minister in our behalf, providing His needful human children with confidence, mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:14-16) until the day when He returns to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16) to claim His ransomed people and take us to our eternal home. “And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
In all the dynamics of youth ministry keep Jesus at the very center. A Christian youth ministry with anything else at the core will eventually become only creative programming and busy social activities.
Three Ways to Center Your Ministry on Jesus
- For every activity ask, “Where is Christ in this? How is He glorified?” Don’t proceed until you’ve found the answer.
- Begin and end all activities by inviting Christ to be central and thanking Him for His presence.
- Build into your youth ministry year an internal focus on the qualities that characterized Christ’s ministry.
- Jesus loved to worship His heavenly Father—youth ministry leads young people in meaningful worship.
- Jesus listened to people’s problems and challenges— youth ministry has a counseling component.
- Jesus enjoyed being outdoors and attending social activities— youth ministry includes a social aspect.
- Jesus was involved in helping others— youth ministry has a service focus.
- Jesus trained and nurtured His disciples— youth ministry succeeds when new disciples are formed.
From: ABZ’s of Adventist Youth Ministry
Permission to copy for use in the local congregation or group.
