Jesus Christ is the way through and through 2018

John 14:6 Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

God, in his infinite wisdom, has hidden something precious from men, that’s, the ability to know the future or what is ahead of us. We can outline events and activities that went on in 2017, 2016, and so on, but what lies ahead of us in 2018 is hidden and concealed from our eyes and mind. David knew this and therefore prayed in Psalm 39:4, “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am.”

We, therefore, need to rely on something to lead us into the future, through this perilous life, full of darkness, uncertainties, wicked spiritual forces and enemies, tough economic crisis, land of sickness and diseases? What can we rely on to give us peace, love, joy exceeding, hope, life, health, grace, protection, grant our heart desires, and provide all our needs? Is it money, trusting fellow men and women, education, power, worldly position, witchcraft, idols, worldly connections, etc? The answer is Jesus Christ. There is this beautiful story about life in Day 13 of the book entitled, “33 DAYS with Jesus 2”, that I would love to share with you.

“Life is like a man who decided to embark on an unknown journey; full of darkness, dangerous animals, heavily armed robbers and wicked spiritual forces. The journey was also full of pit, valleys and traps set purposely to steal, kill and destroy travelers. It was a must to make this journey. He needed someone to help him go through this journey. He, therefore, relied on his money, intellect, power, position, strength and might to lead him. On his way, he fell into a deep pit and none of the things he had could help lift him up from the pit.

He began to cry out loudly for help. Many saw him, including his classmates, family members and friends, but they couldn’t rescue him from the pit. He was at the point of death when he cried out with all his strength. A brother came and advised him to call on the name of Jesus Christ, for he alone would help him. The man believed and cried out loudly to Jesus, “Jesus, I have tried all I have but none could save me. Please Jesus, you are all I have left, please help me.” Immediately, Jesus came and lifted him from the pit. Jesus then washed all the stains on him with his precious blood and then breathed into him his Spirit, which gave the man a new strength. The man then said to Jesus, “Jesus, I am not continuing this journey without you, I need you in every instance of my life. Please lead me through this life. With a smile, Jesus said to him, ‘I am here for you, my dear.

I am not just going to lead you, I am carrying you on my shoulders and I will do the walking. All you need to do is to relax, don’t look around, just trust me, and fix your eyes on me alone.’ As they were moving, the man became scared and felt worried. He then asked Jesus, “Will we make it?” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one goes through this life except through me.” All the fears were gone, all the darkness turned into light, all the mountains collapsed and all deep pit were covered as Jesus led the man through the journey. Finally, he came to his destination and many people came to meet the man and questioned, “How did you get here?” The man said, “It was not by my might, nor by my strength, not by my intellect nor money nor fame, but Jesus Christ, who loves me so much and has brought me this far.”

My dear, if we will trust Jesus with all our heart throughout this year, then next year by this time, we will say what this man said, “It was not by our might, nor by our strength, nor by our intellect nor money nor fame, but Jesus Christ, who loves us so much and has brought us this far.”

Peter showed us the way, that, if we fix our eyes on the waves and storms in this world, the economic hardship, our weaknesses and difficulties in 2018, we will sink. But if we look up to Jesus Christ, through thick and thin, we will gather the courage and boldness to move through 2018 for God’s glory. Remember, he has promised to lead us in the path of righteousness for his name sake. Blind Bartimaeus displayed to us the way, that he did not allow events, conditions and people to shut him down from approaching Jesus. He shouted the more when the people told him to stop. He ran the more when he could not see. In the end, he met his salvation through Christ Jesus. If in 2018, we will be determined never to be distracted by people and the things around us and keep on calling the name Jesus, we will see victory and glory in the Lord.

The young boy who gave his little lunch of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes threw more light on the way, that the little we have, if we will give it to Jesus for his glory in 2018, it would be multiplied to be a blessing to many. It must be noted here that given something to Jesus is not necessarily putting money in offering bowls, but rather using what you have to bring hope and the love of God into the hearts of others. Peter again displayed the way to us, after toiling all-night without a catch, he invited Jesus into his boat and there his life changed from catching fish to catching men. If 2018, we will invite Jesus into our families, our work, our home and everywhere we go, he’ll use them for his glory. The disciples showed us the way when they were surrounded by great storm and wave. They did all they could but proved futile, till they called on Jesus, who with just a word, calmed the storm and waves that rose against them. If 2018, we will cry out to Jesus, he will calm all storm and waves that blow against us.

The woman who bled for twelve years and spent all her money to cure her ailment but failed, proved to us that money will fail us, doctors will fail us, but a touch on the hem of Jesus’ garment will restore us. If we will hold firm on Jesus in 2018, all things will be possible for us. Holding on to Jesus is not a relationship between you and your pastor or professed men of God. It is between you and Christ, such that you feel his presence in your life without going through another human. I tell you, Christ is closer to you than your skin. Finally, remember the dying thief on the cross with Jesus, who cried out to Jesus to remember him. Though he wasted his life on earth, yet the day he called upon Jesus, he was saved to enjoy eternal life. Christ Jesus is the hope in this life and no matter how this life has treated you, all is never lost even in death. Never give up in this year for Christ is the way and he has come to help you.

Jesus Christ is the good shepherd of our lives, he is the resurrection and life, he is the creator of heaven and earth, he laid down his life for us and he is the only one who has better plans and future for us and therefore he is the one to hold onto in 2018.

Jesus is the way for us in 2018. Jesus is the truth for us in 2018. Jesus Christ is the life for us in 2018.

I can promise you, if you will walk with him this year, next year by this time, you would be singing the song in Psalm 124. Christ be with you.