At work, I attend multiple meetings focused on internet security and the many precautions necessary these days to protect ourselves and our data. Beyond that, I regularly take short, employee-focused security courses to keep myself informed and alert. After hearing a number of stories involving social engineering, spear phishing, and scams, I began suspecting just about everyone. It got so bad that when my computer popped up a notice that I needed to install updates, I immediately asked my manager if it was legitimate!
Internet scammers extract money from unsuspecting people every day by issuing threats, luring them with fake promises, or concealing their true identities. And while we do live among tricksters and thieves who want to take from us, some people still deserve our trust. And Jesus tops the list!
At Jesus’s birth an angel announced to some unsuspecting and startled shepherds,“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11). The good news is that Jesus came to save, not to judge, a fact that brings great joy to those who believe.“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17). We can trust Him because He came not to threaten us or take from us, but only to offer a free gift, that of eternal life (Romans 6:23).
Beyond that, we can trust what Jesus had to say. Luke 9:35 tells us that a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” In John 12:49 Jesus assures us, “For I did not speak on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.” Jesus also affirms that, “. . . the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life” (John 6:63). This is no bait and switch. Jesus has no hidden agenda or ulterior motives. His message of forgiveness and love is absolutely true.
And unlike suspicious email senders, Jesus is exactly who He says He is. Plus He‘s been authenticated by the Father’s stamp of approval: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). And we know exactly what the Father is like because when we’ve seen Jesus, we’ve seen the Father (John 14:9, Hebrews 1:3).
Because every book of the Bible, when correctly interpreted, points to Jesus, we can therefore trust the Word of God in its entirety. In both the Old Testament and the New, the message God wants us to read is that He loves us. Jesus came to prove that fact. He is God’s love letter to you!
Just the kind of love letter we ALL need! Thanks, Carrie.