“One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.” So sang Three Dog Night in the late 60s. They were, of course, talking about love lost.
Back in the 60s and early 70s a movement swept across the landscape of our country which changed things drastically. As prominent as it was, it is the not the VietNam/anti-war movement I am referring to. This one had a different focus.
It changed the religious landscape. It was called the Jesus Movement. You could recognize it by many things-dress, music and signs. One of the most iconic was the index finger raised in the #1 position indicating “One Way.” That One Way was Jesus.
Jesus made a unique claim in John 14:6: “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father but by Me.” Controversial then. Controversial now. People resent it as much today as they did back then. It seems even more nowadays due to our pluralistic society which says, “All roads lead to God.”
There are several verses which say the same thing only in different words: Acts 4:12; John 3:36; I Timothy 2:5; and I John 5:11-12. Jesus is the One and only way to the Father. There are many reasons why this claim is made by Jesus. One claim stands out…the Virgin Birth. That one belief is the essential thread in His claim.
I will be speaking on “One” this Sunday. As you might guess, there will be a segment where I will spend time on the Virgin Birth. I do believe belief in the VB is absolutely essential for one who wants to be a follower of Jesus. To deny that is to deny His deity, His uniqueness, the thing which sets Him apart from all others.
Thanks for your prayers. It is not an easy subject to speak about.
I love that verse. And I love the idealized version I have in my mind of the Jesus Movement.
I am not sure why the virgin birth is so significant given the frequency of virgin births amongst other Gods and non Gods throughout history. Some examples such as:
Perseus, the god Buddha, Huitzilopochtli, Attis, Genghis Khan, Krishna, Horus, Jesus, Mercury, and Romulus.
It is not all that unique.
Amen. Praying for you, brother.
Good luck this weekend. I hope your message resonates with your group.
My pastor spoke on this recently too. It definitely is a crucial aspect of the Gospel. Jesus IS the dividing line… preach it, my friend!
I’ll keep you in prayer, Bill. That’s not an easy topic to speak about, but I know you will speak from your heart.
Blessings!
Sigh.
I loved 3 Dog Night. Those were the days!
Christmas blessings, friend. I’m grateful that our pathways have been intersecting in recent months. I do appreciate what you add to my journey.
I have a Christian friend who was a Bible study leader. He was asked, “How committed are you to the virgin birth?” He said, “Uhhh, pretty committed” and we laughed about it. It’s amazing to me that people want to make God less than divine. Wish I could have heard your sermon! Maybe sometime. 🙂
Growing up in the church, we so often hear about the virgin birth that we seldom stop to really just think of how amazing it is. Praying that your sermon goes well.