Why Jesus?
Have you ever wondered why children from virtually every nation and language go through a “why-questions” phase at some point? Some parents try to carefully answer each question, while others give up and ignore them. Eventually, children either stop asking questions or seek answers elsewhere.
Initially, children’s questions are irrational and involuntary because they lack a filter. They ask things like, “Why do spiders eat their babies?” or “Do ninjas kill dogs?” As they grow older, the questions become more intriguing: “Where do babies come from?” “Why do people die?” “What happens to humans when they die?” “Who is God?” “What does He look like?” “Where does God come from?” “Who created God?”
The “why” question becomes central to human existence. Why am I here? What should I do? Who am I? What is the best way to live life? However, faith questions become even more challenging when life goes wrong. Why did Mommy and Daddy divorce? Why was I raped by my brother/uncle? Why do people mistreat me? Why does everything seem to go wrong in my life? Why don’t things work out? Why do bad things happen to good people?
As time progresses our questions turn into beliefs. Our beliefs are as diverse and numerous as the number of products on store shelves. Our beliefs are primarily shaped by our family, friends, culture, faith, education, field of study and the mainstream worldview. Each person’s beliefs are formed through various experiences over time.
Faith is energy. You don’t do something if you don’t believe it will work for you. Faith is central to survival.
The battle of ideas and possible solutions to these hard and difficult questions of life ends in a battle of beliefs.
Does Science have the answers?
Not everything can be explained solely through scientific, measurable, visible, and naturalistic means. Science is limited in its scope to address the social entropy conundrum, subjective experiences, origins of creation, meaning, and certain metaphysical phenomena that fall outside the boundaries of empirical evidence or conceptual frameworks. Science focuses on observable, quantifiable aspects of the natural world and struggles to encompass the complexities of consciousness, emotions, aesthetics, evil, personal purpose and human motivation.
Hence even scientists themselves become adherents to a particular religion, philosophy, worldview, or ideology. For instance:
One poll reported in the journal “Nature” showed that among American scientists (across various disciplines), about 40 percent believe in both evolution and an active deity. [1] This is similar to the results reported for surveys of the general American public. Also, about 40 percent of the people polled believe in a God that answers prayers and believe in immortality. [2]
Even among theologians who have access and scholarly understanding of the same textual critical data some become agnostics like Bart D Erhman[3] and others remain Theists[4].
The book “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek presents an argument challenging the claim that atheism is a purely scientific and rational position. Atheists, like believers, hold certain fundamental preconceived beliefs that cannot be proven scientifically but are instead based on philosophical assumptions. These presuppositions include the belief that the universe is self-existent and that everything can be explained through natural laws and processes. Additionally, the authors argue that atheists often demand a level of certainty and evidence for the existence of God that they do not apply to other areas of their lives. They assert that atheists may be selective in their scepticism, accepting scientific evidence for many things but dismissing it when it comes to matters of faith or the existence of God.
Does Man have the answers?
Today, there is an extensive list of experts, philosophers, authors, and academics in every imaginable field of study that explain why poverty, hunger, crime, disease, and disasters still occur worldwide. The solutions are numerous and sometimes contradictory. Even in a world perfectly ordered by humans, we have not resolved poverty, world hunger, inequality, death, and malicious crime.
The overall quest of humanity is for a better life—peace, inner happiness, meaning, harmony, freedom, supernatural power, wisdom, deeper insight, euphoric lasting happiness, eternal life, a comfortable existence without worry. Every religion, diet, and pharmaceutical product markets its own recipe for achieving this “heavenly nirvana.”
In his book “Desire: The Journey We Must Take to Find the Life That God Offers,” John Eldredge explores the idea that our deepest desires can serve as a pathway to discovering God and the life He offers. Eldredge argues that our desires are not merely random or fleeting impulses but are actually reflections of our true nature and longings. God has placed within each person a unique set of desires that point to a greater purpose and fulfillment. These desires can include a longing for love, adventure, beauty, meaning, and significance. Maybe these desires are a reflection of our innate need for God and a deeper connection with Him.
However, the problem arises when our desires, which are not first satisfied in God, harm ourselves and others. Our desires can be selfish and lead to self-glorification, as seen with Hitler and the Nazi Party’s desire for self-determination at the expense of others. Similar harm occurs when someone builds an illegitimate romantic love desire on the rubble of their family and friends’ broken hearts.
Life is at times a dramatic, dangerous obstacle course. A person who does not know God is forced to find ways to quench pain. Thousands of forms of self-medication and the search for better painkillers or drugs become the cause of man’s addictions. As my philosopher friend Michael Wood would say: “All addiction is a form of malnutrition”.
Does Religion have the answers?
For those who believe in a divine entity must choose between thousands of religions. Religions have gained a right to exist over centuries by claiming to know what the gods desire. In churches, priests, ministers, pastors, and other religious leaders become the specialists who speak on behalf of God, claiming to know what God wants in exchange happiness and peace on earth.
The Bible is a collection of stories of men and women who came to know a personal almighty, all-knowing, omniscient, eternal relational self-identifying God who calls Himself Jahwe, versus everyone else worshipping idols.
The Greek Word for idolater is from 5331 (Strong’s): φαρμακεία pharmakeía; a drug, which in the Greek writers used both for a curative or medicinal drug, and as a poisonous one. Pharmakeía means the occult, sorcery, witchcraft, illicit pharmaceuticals, trance, magical incantation with drugs (Gal. 5:20; Rev. 9:21; 18:23; Ex. 7:22; Is. 47:9, 12). Syn.: mageía (G3095), magic.”
In simple terms, the difference between worshiping Yahweh (the God of the Bible) and worshiping false gods or idols is about who takes the first step in the relationship. In the Bible, whenever people encounter Yahweh, it is always God who initiates the interaction. God reaches out to humans, reveals Himself, and makes Himself known to them.
On the other hand, when people worship false gods or idols, it is humans who take the initiative. They construct physical forms or images to represent their gods, such as statues or idols made of materials like bronze or stone. These images are created by people and do not have any inherent divine power.
The key distinction is that with Yahweh, God is the one who reveals Himself and establishes a relationship with people. He shows His power, communicates His will, and invites people to worship and follow Him. In contrast, with idols, people create representations of gods themselves, often based on their own ideas or beliefs.
We can therefore conclude that false religion, addictions and idolatry are all from the same family. False religion is the practice of magical rituals or magic attempting to control the world for self-benefit. It is what Karl Marx called the “opium of the masses” However, one can also put it another way: every time we try to escape the reality of this world through some “opium or painkiller”, we create an idol.
Does Health Experts have the answers?
Some argue that there exist both beneficial and detrimental rituals or methods of alleviating pain. The truth is that you cannot solely rely on chemical solutions to fix an unhealthy lifestyle. Additionally, there are both healthy and unhealthy habits. Some individuals attempt to ease their pain through self-harm, while others choose to meditate, adopt a healthy diet, or engage in physical exercise. However, even the positive rituals, habits, and customs have limited effects if practiced only temporarily. Thus, they need to be incorporated into one’s daily life as habitual practices. Consequently, higher doses or more intense rituals may be required to achieve the same desired outcome. Physical exercise, undoubtedly, is beneficial. But what options remain when circumstances prevent someone from exercising for an entire year? Here comes a radical statement: false religion and idolatry are the same thing. Idolatry is the religion that man creates for himself, with an image of a god he loves, to do for him what he wants.
The Human dilemma
There is a force of gravity (fallen human nature) in man that pulls one down to the animal instincts of existence. Yet man is essentially different from animals: we are playful and creative that lead to the arts; we invent, and we deduce through science; we create order, legislation and rules; we not only consume our food, but we also infuse flavour, set tables and create atmosphere when we dine. We do not have sexual intercourse in public, but we like to gossip. Since creation, man has been trying to determine for himself what is good and bad, and the best way to sustain life.
In reality, we are spiritual beings who have a profound need to be connected to the world around us. Our entire existence is determined by the people we interact with. We came into being through the union between a male and a female. Our lives are intricately connected to both the human and natural world. Essentially, our well-being, personal growth, and sense of purpose are influenced by our relationships and our understanding of ourselves in relation to others.
“In a real sense, all life is interrelated. All people are involved in an inevitable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Martin Luther King Jr
We all think we are generous until we must give to a cause. We all think we are loving until someone seeks our love. We think we can do anything until we must perform a certain task. We all think there is nothing wrong with us until someone is deeply offended by something we said or did. So, it is only in relationship with someone that I notice for myself who I really am. We can only realize how broken we are when we notice how broken our relationships around us are.
Is truth absolute?
We all search for the truth and when we find it in someone’s book or someone’s preaching, and that person disappoints us because they do not really live the truth, we abandon the truth they are preaching! This means that every preacher or author tries to get a better grasp on the truth than the next person, because we are each disappointed somewhere by someone’s poor example. This leads to the argument that there is no absolute truth. Everyone’s truth is relatively true to everyone’s view and understanding.
Some people try one form of religion after another, and it fits like a shoe which is too small. You later get calluses and abrasions and can no longer walk or move properly. Such religion limits you and robs you of your freedom; it imprisons you and dulls all creative inspiration. Religion is a form of lockdown! It’s like a camel being kept in a Canadian zoo – completely outside of its natural habitat.
Jesus did not preach such religion! Jesus was condemned to death by the religious of the day! Jesus and religion are not synonymous. If you are tired of religion, try an intimate relationship with Jesus. There are no different paths to the same God.
“Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (John 16:5-7 NKJV).
Why Jesus?
Jesus is radically different! Jesus overthrew all this religious practice of the blind leading the blind by not only speaking on behalf of God. He was God who became flesh. He was the visible expression and manifestation of the Father. “He who is the reflection of his glory people keep the Sabbath and do not really have real peace or rest. He is Sabbath rest! When you discover the rest in Him, every day becomes a Sabbath.
• Jesus makes us focus on God where religion makes us focus on our self-righteousness. (John 3:13).
• He proclaims a truth that He Himself physically demonstrates to the letter (John 14:6).
• Jesus preaches a practical truth that teaches you how to live through crises and pain and not try to escape it. Blessed are the people who suffer, mourn, and are persecuted! (Matt. 5:3-12).
• He gives immediate access to the reality of heaven and glory (lasting peace and joy) that man seeks. Peace, reconciliation, healing and deliverance are instantly available (Matt. 4:17). Religion always wants to present the destination far in the future, but Jesus gives the fullness of his Glory right in the beginning. The least is greater than John the Baptist! (Matt. 11:11).
• Jesus cultivates the ability to live godly in us (1 Pet. 2: 3-11). It is remarkable how quickly Jesus empoweredHis disciples to perform miracles and cast out demons as well. So, He wants to empower every follower who follows Him!
• Religion ultimately seeks people’s money to maintain their religion. Jesus proclaims that God does not need our sacrifices. “Then be followers of God as beloved children; and walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet fragrance.” (Eph. 5:1-2). Jesus multiplies bread and fish, helps His disciples catch many fish and discovers coins in a fish’s mouth. God gives! Finally, we give and sacrifice, but in response to what He first gave!
and the imprint of his being.” (Heb. 1:3); “After God had spoken many times and in many ways in ancient times to the fathers through the prophets, in these last days He has spoken to us through the Son.” (Heb. 1:1).
Jesus follows a completely different approach:
• Jesus does not preach a way to God – He preaches God’s way to us! (John 3:16).
• He not only preaches what we need to do to reach God, but what God has done to reach us (Matt. 5:24, 36).
• Jesus does not preach a set of rules and methods: He preaches a Person! (John 6:28-29). That is why Jesus disregarded the religious precepts over the Sabbath, because
Empowering Faith Versus Religion
The proof and end-result of Jesus’ message is not a bunch of followers who blindly follow His methods like robots, but an supernatural empowerment of poor, ordinary, simple, broken, sinful people to start living godly holy extraordinary lives. As the Son of God, Jesus could have come to demonstrate His rule with power and majesty, and He did. But it was very different from what we understand about power and might. He used His power to heal people, free them from evil, and empower His followers to do the same.
Only Jesus can answer and fulfil the “why?” questions. So many people seek fulfilment in money, wealth, physical perfection, erotic love, power, and prestige to finally, when they have everything their heart desires, still feel empty and unfulfilled. However, the moment I act like Jesus, I feel inwardly: Yes, that’s right! I feel alive and fulfilled! These Jesus-moments are liberating and the highest heavenly experience!
Jesus fits your soul perfectly. All you must do to receive Jesus is: BELIEVE! (Rom. 10:9-10; John 6:28-29).
Do You Know Jesus?!
There are several important “causes” for which people live. Some dedicate their lives to fighting for the rights of minority groups, or violence against women and children. Or, the conservation of our natural resources, or the protection of some extinct animal. BUT the most primary “cause” we have to fight for is the cause of Christ.
To know Christ is LIFE!
“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Phil. 3:8-9 NKJV).
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” (Eph. 1:17 NKJV).
The word “know” is 1922 (Strong’s). ἐπίγνωσις epígnōsis; gen. epignṓseōs, fem. noun from epiginṓskō(G1921), to recognize. It is more intense than gnṓsis (G1108), knowledge, because it expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner. In the NT, it often refers to knowledge which very powerfully influences the form of religious life, a knowledge laying claim to personal involvement. (See Col. 1: 9, 10; 2: 2; 1 Tim. 2: 4; 2 Tim. 2:25; 3: 7; Titus 1: 1; Heb. 10:26; 2 Pet. 1: 2, 3).
“Until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13 NKJV).
The beautiful song by Kari Jobe sums up this sentiment beautifully: (Song by Kari Jobe | Ben Hastings | Bryan Fowler)
The only thing I want in life is to be known for loving Christ to build His church
To love His bride and make His name known far and wide
For this ‘cause I live, for this ‘cause I’d die
I surrender all for the cause of Christ
All I once held dear I will leave behind
For my joy is this
Oh the cause of Christ, He is all my soul will prize
Regardless of the joy or trial
When agonizing questions rise, in Jesus all my hope abides
Make Jesus your why!
WHAT’S THE POINT? I’m eighteen years old, living in the middle of nowhere. Time is running out! I’m going to die one day, and I have nothing to show for my life. I’m doing nothing! Time is ticking, and I’m sitting idly by! What’s the point?”[5] This is how Misty Edwards a contempory gospel vocalist starts the first chapter of her book, “what is the point” being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 19. Misty knew that in order to find meaning in life, we have to find purpose in death, and in order to face eternity, we must come to face God. We will never find sufficient meaning in a vapor called life if it is not anchored in something transcendent, with eternal continuity.
We can study any subject under the sun as it comes and goes. Everything in this life is temporary (2 Cor. 4:18):
“…because ‘All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.” (1 Pet. 1:24–25 NKJV).
“…scripture cannot be broken.” (John 10:35).
“Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24).
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:28-29).
Jesus is my religion.
I dedicated my life to living in obedience to Him. He is the focus of my worship! In Him alone I am satisfied, and I come to rest. He is my source of strength and power. He is my focus, because it is the knowledge of Christ that He has chosen to reveal in us which, like the true north on a compass, helps us to maintain direction in the maze of life. Christ’s righteousness is my access and right to the Father. The more I understand and comprehend Jesus, the better I begin to understand myself.
The problem with Christianity, and why even Christianity is in danger of becoming just another dead religion, is because not everything we do is focused on Jesus! We easily fall back to the place where, like Moses, we put our trust in methods, even methods that God once commanded.
When Jesus is our focus, He will guide and empower us to know which method of worshiping and serving Him is relevant now. Faith is receiving a word from the Lord. Therefore, Jesus is the Source of our faith. Our time with Him, in His Word, anchors our existence! We literally look at Him through the Word, and the Holy Spirit helps us to see Him.
As John saw on Patmos Jesus and wrote the book of Revelation, we need to see Jesus in every crisis we may face! To worship Jesus! To hear Jesus! Jesus is live! Jesus is not the guarantee of escape to miss all the dangers of life, but the Wisdom to grow and become stronger to complete the obstacle course!
[1] Larson, EJ; Witham, L (1997). “Scientists are still keeping the faith”. Nature 386: 435–436.
[2] Witham, L (1997). “Many scientists see God’s hand in evolution”. Reports of the National Center for Science Education 17 (6): 33. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
[3] Bart D Erhman. Jesus Interrupted
[4] Greg Koukl –
[5] Edwards, Misty. What is the Point? (p. 1). Charisma House. Kindle Edition.
