When we study the life of Jesus, we study the life of a man who lived over 2,000 years ago. His life, arguably, is the most significant human life to have ever lived. There are over 2 billion people out of the 8 billion that live on this planet today, who claim to follow him -- here, now, in the 21st century.

Why?

Simply because of the one fact, the one fait accompli that cannot be ignored. After Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, he came back to life and continues to live today.

Now, here in the 21st century.

Without this one salient fact, there would be nothing called 'Christianity' in our modern day realities. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event ever to take place, not only in human history, but in the history of the universe itself!

Jesus, in the twenty-first century, is essentially the same as he was he when walked with Adam in the Garden of Eden, in the cool of the day, or when he spoke to Abraham, or wrestled with Jacob, or when he stood in the burning fiery furnace of king Nebucadnezzar, with Shadrach, Mechach and Abed-nego. He is the same Jesus that spent the night on the beach around a campfire with the disciples, or on mount Hermon where he was "transfigured," or when he ate a fish breakfast with the disciples after the resurrection.

He is the Jesus of whom the angel spoke at his ascension, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven."

You see, Jesus never changes.

Nor, it seems, do we. He is just as righteous, pure and clean. We are just as evil. And amazingly, he still loves us. In a 21st century culture of relativism, vulgarity, dissipation and wholesale depravity; in a society of transgenderism psychosis, abortion and sexual perversion Jesus remains the same. Despite all of this, he still loves us. He is the one, solitary Absolute.

He does not change. He is the Rock upon which we build our lives.

That is why you and I must not fear those who would rob the cross of its meaning, or would threaten to kill and maim us with beheadings, drugs, cyber hacks or thermonuclear explosions. We need not fear a culture of sexual perversion, nor yet even a so-called, "cancel culture."

This does not mean we should not respond, it means that we should not fear. We need not be apprehensive to the image of a bearded muslim murderer, nor should we be frightened of the new age philosophies of high-profile, celebrity wanna-be-messiahs. With Jesus, there is no "New Age," there is only his promise -- his absolute promise -- to be with us, to watch over us, protect us, and energize us wherever we are and in whatever we face.

We need not fear for who is elected President. Or who is not.

Jesus invites us to "Come to him all of you who labor and feel heavy-laden, learn of me, and I will give you rest." -- Jesus Christ

With this hope and with this promise comes my prayer that it will give us all cause to take comfort in him who is the God of all comfort.

You are secure in the grip of holy omnipotence!

Enjoy your day. You belong to him.