The arrival of Jesus in this world was a profound mystery, revealing the true significance of humanity. In a world filled with wonders, the greatest miracle of all is humanity itself. Every human being is a unique and incomparable creation, a living testament to God’s divine craftsmanship. While Jesus’ life stands as an unparalleled miracle, His presence also serves to illuminate humanity’s true identity as children of God. The mere thought of being called God’s child should awaken awe and wonder, stirring the depths of our imagination.
Yet, humanity’s rejection of Jesus reflects a deeper tragedy: the rejection of God Himself. Created in God’s image, humans often turn away from their Creator and, in doing so, turn away from one another. Preaching Jesus means understanding that He came to reveal our true identity—not as children of a surrogate father, but as sons and daughters of God. This shift in identity, from our earthly ties to our divine inheritance, is the greatest mystery of all.
Many Christians today romanticize the idea of walking with Jesus during His time on earth, imagining the glory of witnessing His miracles firsthand. Yet, they often overlook the profound truth that Jesus continues to interact with humanity through those who have embraced their identity as God’s children. Modern Christianity sometimes idolizes a distant, unknown Jesus, but this perspective changes entirely when we realize that Jesus is present in every believer baptized in the name of the Trinity.
Jesus Himself promised His disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:18-19 NKJV). Just as the world failed to recognize Jesus as God’s Son during His earthly ministry, it remains blind to His presence among His followers today. True Christians are those who resonate with Jesus in every aspect of their lives, embodying His teachings and reflecting His love.
The Mission of Faith and Courage
The world is entangled in sin, and Jesus came to offer a way out of this labyrinth of confusion. He declared that those with faith as small as a mustard seed would perform even greater miracles than He did (John 14:12). This statement underscores the profound truth that there is no distinction between Jesus and those filled with the Holy Spirit. Yet, many Christians struggle to attain the faith necessary to confront life’s challenges. Why is this so?
At the heart of this struggle lies cowardice, often fueled by pride. Pride intimidates and suppresses, preventing individuals from stepping into their God-given potential. Christians, however, are called to rise above fear, empowered by the Holy Spirit. For believers, death holds no sting, and danger is no deterrent when standing for the truth. Jesus exemplified this courage by enduring the cross, and He calls His followers to do the same: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 NKJV).
This call to self-denial and sacrifice is the essence of Christianity. Yet, it is often overlooked or deliberately avoided, especially in a world where deception runs rampant. Jesus warned of the dangers of wealth, stating, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). The Apostle Paul echoed this warning in his letter to Timothy, describing the love of money as “a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
The Danger of Deception
Deception in Christianity often stems from a misplaced focus on hierarchy and authority. Many leaders elevate themselves, creating structures that prioritize their comfort and control over the equality Jesus taught. In doing so, they turn Jesus into an object of worship rather than an example to emulate. This contradicts Jesus’ explicit instruction: “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers” (Matthew 23:8 NKJV).
True worship, as Jesus explained, is conducted “in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). It transcends worldly rituals and hierarchies, emphasizing a direct relationship with God. Paul further emphasized this unity in Christ, stating, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NKJV).
This unity is beautifully illustrated in the functioning of the body of Christ, where each member plays a unique role (1 Corinthians 12). Just as a musical ensemble harmonizes without one voice dominating, the Church thrives when each believer contributes their spiritual gifts in unity. The fact that one member of the singing group may possess exceptional skills in coaching and coordinating others is not immediately apparent, except for the unified quality they collectively project.
The Call to Fulfill Our Purpose
Jesus fulfilled His mission through His death and resurrection, establishing God’s Church and redeeming humanity from sin. Yet, a common misconception in modern Christianity is the belief that Jesus is separate from His followers. Jesus Himself identified with His disciples, saying, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NKJV).
Every individual born into this world has the potential to become a child of God by following Jesus’ teachings. Tragically, many live and die without realizing this purpose, ensnared by deception and distraction. Jesus took on the responsibility of redeeming humanity, and those who are enlightened are called to make similar sacrifices. Losing one’s life in service to God is the highest honor, a testament to the transformative power of faith.
In the end, the mission of every individual mirrors that of Jesus: to reveal the glory of God through a life of faith, courage, and selfless love. By embracing our identity as God’s children and living in harmony with His will, we fulfill the purpose for which we were born. The call is to emulate Jesus, rather than distance oneself, assuming the calling is solely for worship.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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