The One

"Are you the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" •

We are all searching for the one thing that will give us fulfillment. We might find fulfillment in movies, music, our job, education, political leaders, friends, drugs, alcohol, sex—anything we believe will satisfy our physical and emotional cravings. We even consider ourselves as "number one". Selfishness and pride (though we often despise it in others) is what drives most of our decisions and actions. ‘It’s my life I can do whatever I want,’ right? Maybe. God gave us the freedom to make our own choices.• But considering that God created us and wants what is best for us, shouldn’t He be given the number one place in our lives?

Adolf Hitler manipulated millions into embracing, accepting, or at worst—conceding—to the execution of an entire race of Yahweh believers, as well as physically and mentally handicapped, homosexuals, Gypsies, Blacks, union members... all whom he considered 'undesirable'. Yet Hitler's followers hailed him as the One. "But that would never happen in our country today. We're much more enlightened. All humans are valued". Really? Our culture, over the past 36 years has grown to embrace, accept, and worse yet, concede to the execution of pre-born infants—totaling 10 times the number of innocent humans murdered during the Holocaust.

Saul was a Jewish leader and violent persecutor of believers in Christ in the first century AD. One day, this ‘hit man’ was on his way to yet another synagogue in another town—determined to drag more Christians back to Jerusalem for trial, and anticipating a judgment that would likely result in their execution. God miraculously intervened in Saul’s plan by blinding him, then introducing him to the One, Jesus, whom he was actually persecuting. Acts 9:3-5

So many things cloud our vision of the One. What a shocking revelation for Saul, a high Jewish leader, to finally be "enlightened" • . The very God whom he thought he was serving by attempting to eradicate Christianity was the One whom he persecuted. Saul had grossly misplaced his trust. Later, Saul (by this time, his name was changed by God to Paul) was encouraged by a friend who interpreted the encounter this way, “The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.” Acts 22:14 God stopped Saul on the road to destruction so that he could turn away from evil and turn towards the One, Jesus Christ, the true God. Acts 4:12

Jesus is much more than a wise teacher. He is God in the flesh. God’s entry into the world as Jesus fulfilled over three hundred predictions of the coming of the Messiah—God’s promised deliverer. The chance of anyone fulfilling all three hundred prophecies is virtually impossible, but, Jesus Christ proved that God fulfills all of His promises, even those made 400 years before Christ’s birth. • When Jesus preached on the earth, even demons recognized him as the One that God had promised would come and save the world. Mark 1:23-25 He performed miracles, forgave sins, and humbled himself to the point of dying on a splinter-ridden cross—providing the only road that leads to heaven. Acts 4:12 John 14:6

Is God halting you on your life's journey, just as He did with Paul, to open your eyes to the Truth? Paul continued to visit synagogues in various towns with the same zeal and determination—to make disciples of Christ, Acts 17:2-3 God’s Anointed One, who was executed in your place. Romans 5:8 He is called the Almighty, the King of the nations, a shelter, a rock, a shepherd, faithful and true, love, the One. 1 Timothy 2:5 Each name tells of His character, revealing that He is the One who can be trusted—and in whom you can entrust your life. Isaiah 9:6-7

"Are you the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" •

"Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.." • — Isaiah