Jesus is the Answer For the World Today

Years ago, the great Christian musician Andre Crouch wrote a song entitled, "Jesus Is The Answer." The chorus goes:

"Jesus is the answer, for the world today.
Above Him there's no other. Jesus is the way.
Jesus is the answer, for the world today.
Above Him there's no other. Jesus is the way."

Is Jesus still the answer today? The answer is, "Yes, because Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God," He is everything we need, but sometimes we get a bit confused about what it is we truly need. You see, we live in one of the most self-centered, corrupt, greedy, narcissistic cultures in history. The chief goals of most Americans, are self-fulfilment and personal advancement. The leading question of our day for many is, "How can I be happy and satisfied?" Everything is about "me, me, me.”

That is not the Christian mantra – it is Praise God and Thank You Jesus.  It is Come Holy Spirit.  It is love and care for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  It is “we, we, we.”

This self-focused, corrupt, greedy, narcissistic culture, has destroyed many a marriage, and many a home. This self-focused, humanistic, narcissistic culture has reshaped Christianity in America. The gospel and Jesus have become a product for sale, packaged and marketed to a consuming public. Salvation has been transformed into a road for personal wealth and prosperity. The purpose of religion has become a means to help us get what we want, rather than man's forgiveness of sins and a right relationship with God.

James begs to differ. He tells us in James 1:27, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Potential converts are now being told that knowing Jesus, coming to Jesus, can make them happier, satisfied, successful, and prosperous.

Too many Christians are asking Jesus how He can fulfill their lives, instead of asking Jesus how they can serve in His kingdom. Narcissism (the worship of self,) embraces hedonism (the worship of pleasure,) which robs us of any genuine concern for others, and is taking a whole generation of servants away from the church! Narcissism and hedonism lead to an empty existence, and eventually to death! Some people, have tried to fill that void and emptiness with drugs, alcohol, sex, entertainment, materialism, and other things, but they are not the answer!   Jesus is the answer!

Yes, Jesus is still the answer.  True discipleship is denying self, taking up a cross, crucifying our flesh, and following Jesus! The Christian life is making it our passion and determination to let Jesus live His life in and through us! Jesus is still the answer if you are asking the right questions. Questions like: the following Questions People Should Ask:

How do I deal with my sin?. Jesus came into the world for this purpose. We need a Savior! Before Jesus can help us in any area of our lives, we must first deal with our sin. John the Baptist would point you toward Jesus and say, "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." The repentant thief who hung on the cross beside Jesus would say, "All you have to do is admit you are a sinner, deserving nothing but an eternity in Hell. Look to Jesus, believing that He died on the cross for your sin! When you do that, Jesus will wash you whiter than snow." From Paradise, the thief would shout, "Jesus is still the answer."

How can I become more sensitive to the needs of others around me? The woman who suffered a hemorrhage for years, spending her savings to find a cure, without success, would tell you about a day she found Jesus. He was thronged with hundreds of people, pushing and shoving to be near Him. In her desperation, she reached out to touch the hem, the corner tassel on the edge of His outer garment. The second she did so, Jesus stopped and asked, "Who touched me?" She would say, "Out of all those people, Jesus sensed my need and stopped everything to heal me. Now I am more sensitive to those around me." She would say, "Jesus is still the answer."

How can I face the rejection of the world? Mary would tell you about the way the citizens of Nazareth treated her Son when He visited His home town. They refused to see Him as anyone more than the "son of a carpenter." Jesus said, "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house." On one occasion, they attempted to push Jesus off of a cliff overlooking the town. Eventually, everyone would walk away from Jesus. Anticipating the coming rejection, Jesus said, "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me." Observing the rejection of her Son, Mary would tell us today, "Jesus is still the answer."

How can I learn to love people who are different from me? The Samaritan woman would tell you about the day Jesus broke through the barriers of ancient bigotry and class hatred, to enter her world. She would tell you how Jesus risked everything to include her in His kingdom. It all began with Jesus asking her for a drink of water, and treating her kindness. She would tell us, "Jesus is still the answer."

How can I forgive others? In Luke's account of the crucifixion, we are told that Jesus cried from the cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Following those powerful words we read, "And they parted His raiment, and cast lots." Gambling is vice, and vice is sin. Those hardened Roman soldiers who were gambling at the foot of the cross, had to be shaken when they heard those words. God's forgiveness included them! It included those who nailed Him to that cross. It included those who cursed Him, beat Him, and crowned Him with a crown of thorns. Surely those who stood in the shadow of the cross that day, who witness first hand the power of Jesus to forgive others, would say, "If Jesus could forgive us, how can we not help but forgive those who hurt us? " Jesus is still the answer."

At the end of his life, John Newton, the author of the beloved song, Amazing Grace, said this, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior." At the root of every question is man's sin. It is sin that separates us from God. God has made the supreme sacrifice by giving us His Son Jesus, the answer for the world today. Jesus is still the answer for man's greatest need, the forgiveness of sin. Praise the Lord!