Editorial December 19, 1983 Issue

Christ's great meaning for us today

DeWitt John

When we take time to think about the practical meaning of the Christ, we understand the amazing spirit of joy and revelation which—despite the opposition, suffering, and crucifixion that awaited Jesus—pervades the New Testament record of the Saviour's mission and teachings.

Word of Jesus' birth came as "tidings of great joy"^{ Luke 2:10.} to the watchful shepherds on Judean hills. Here was the long-awaited Messiah, the anointed one of God, the Christ. (The Greek name Christos, like the Hebrew Messiah, comes from the word for anointed.) His teachings brought gladness to many who heard him and release to those whom he healed. The Bible tells us that after the resurrection and ascension, the disciples "returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God."^{ Luke 24:52, 53.}

Despite deadly opposition and persecution, the little band of early Christians was animated by an unmistakable joy, a holy spirit of conviction. The Bible translator J. B. Phillips writes, "The reader [of the book of Acts] is stirred because he is seeing Christianity, the real thing, in action for the first time in human history.... The young Church, like all young creatures, is appealing in its simplicity and singleheartedness. Here we are seeing the Church in its first youth, valiant and unspoiled—a body of ordinary men and women joined in an unconquerable fellowship never before seen on this earth."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Awake from the dream of sickness!