Jesus: The inclusive prophet

Although Easter is the holiest of days for those of the Christian faith, Christmas on December 25th, Jesus’ birthday, is the day most celebrated. With the celebrations come messages of new tidings, redemption, and rebirth.

The new tidings are not to say that Jesus denied the Old Testament. On the contrary, he said in Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Yet, he delivered a kinder, gentler message than that in the Old Testament. The Old Testament laid down the Laws and warned how the wrath of God would rain upon sinners. The New Testament observed the Laws but added God’s mercy and redemption.

If we were to use today’s parlance, we might venture to describe Jesus’ message as one of inclusivity and diversity! This is the King of Kings (on earth, in the lineage of David; in Heaven, the Son of God) but born in a manger. He blessed the meek, the poor, the peacemakers (Matthew 5:1-12). He drove the devil out of sinners (Matthew 8:28-34). And he jousted verbally with the Devil himself, rejecting the Devil’s three temptations in a most rational manner (Matthew 4:1-11). Interestingly, Jesus even recognized the place of religion and the state: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21).

A good summary of Jesus’ new tidings would be in his conversation with his disciples during the supper that was to be his last. It is recorded in Matthew 13:34-35.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another … By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

There were miracles on the first Christmas, the day Jesus was born. An angel appeared in the fields where the shepherds were tending their sheep and told them about the birth, so they could come and see the Baby (Luke 2:8-20). A star appeared in the east and guided the three Kings to Jesus, with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:9-11).

It would be wonderful if at this Christmas time all peoples of the world, regardless of their faith, would experience the miracle of realizing that love for one another makes more sense than divisiveness and belligerence.

Merry Christmas, everyone.