Alastair Bateman, CEO of Church Mission Society, reflects on what “Only Jesus” can do this Christmas.

At CMS, we often get a front row seat at “Only Jesus” moments – when we know for sure only Jesus could have done it.

Alastair shares some of these with you as we approach Christmas, with the reassurance that only Jesus never leaves us.

To make sure many more people can experience the hope and peace only Jesus brings, please consider a donation to our “Only Jesus” Christmas Appeal.

What only Jesus can do…

Transcript

Have you ever had a time in your life where you had nowhere to turn to for help – other than Jesus? Or have you ever seen a situation change in such a beautiful way that only Jesus could have done it?

Working at CMS, my colleagues and I often get a front row seat to things like this – these “Only Jesus” moments. And Christmas seems like a perfect time to share some of these with you.

Earlier this year we welcomed local partner Bisoke Balikenga to our Oxford office. Bisoke leads a peace centre in eastern DR Congo, an area that’s struggled amid violent conflict for more than 20 years. If ever a work could be described as “at the edges” it’s this. The people who come to the peace centre have faced – or even perpetrated – horrific violence. Their hearts and hopes have been crushed.

How can hope be rekindled amid such brutal tragedy? Bisoke told us: “Only Jesus.” He said, “People have lost hope in the government, in our armies. At the peace centre we share only Jesus. People have discovered after so many traumas – they have seen that the only one who can help them is Jesus. That’s our motto. They are finding that only Jesus can change them, heal their trauma and give them hope.”

It’s true isn’t it. We might long for a new government, a strong economy, effective diplomacy – and when these things come, we’re grateful. But only Jesus brings true justice, and lasting peace.

Bisoke’s words are echoed in a remarkable story that we have been watching unfold in South Sudan, between two tribes that have been attacking each other for years.  Previous diplomatic peace making efforts have all failed. So, our colleagues in Africa decided to try to bring together the church leaders from these two warring tribes. It was a big risk and challenge, but after a week together, these pastors have agreed to put their identity in Christ above their tribal identity and work together for peace in their communities.

Our regional manager for Africa, Joan Busolo, has told me that only Jesus can transform hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. When we truly follow Jesus, when we see people as he sees them, when we find our identity in him, the dehumanisation that leads to violence becomes unfathomable.

Only Jesus has been the central message of our Christmas appeal: Only Jesus brings true and lasting peace to our hearts and our world. So, we must keep sharing Jesus and being active, faithful witnesses to him in our words and our actions. Together. Your prayerful support means that together we can keep sharing Jesus in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the UK.

I’m told that years ago, before I became part of the CMS staff team, Rowan Williams, then Archbishop of Canterbury, delivered a Christmas message at the CMS office in London. According to my colleague, Dr Williams verbally painted a vivid nativity scene – noting that eventually, all those who came to present gifts and pay homage left and travelled home. Everyone departs. But Jesus stays.

Governments come and go. Military strength fades. Diplomatic ties unravel. Only Jesus never leaves us. So, let’s keep sharing Jesus together.

I’ll close with the prophetic words of Micah 5:5, speaking of the coming Messiah, Christ Jesus: “He shall be great to the ends of the earth. And this one shall be our peace.”

I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a New Year full of hope.

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