Young Men and Women, Christ Is The Centre of Everything

"Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ…"

(2 Timothy 2:8, Philips)

As Paul advice the young Timothy on how to be a faithful minister, he injects this powerful exhortation: Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ. Only when Timothy keeps this in his mind and heart he will be able to keep his priorities right. We, too, do well to observe it. The risen Christ is the centre of everything for Christianity is – Christ.

He is central in history, for in a very real sense history is His Story. Time is divided by His birth (BC = Before Christ; AD = Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord). The course of world history has been defined by His presence on earth. If Christ is omitted, history does not make sense. Nations may ignore Him, but He controls the destiny and sways the future of them all. Ernest Renan wrote, "All history is incomprehensible without Christ"; Kenneth Scot Latourette declared, "Gauged by the consequences that have followed, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have been the most important events in the history of mankind"; and Charles H. Spurgeon observed, "Christ is the great central fact in the world's history. To Him, everything looks forward or backward. All the lines of history converge upon Him."

Now, who can deny that He is central in art? Visit the famous art galleries of the world and note the subject of the greatest paintings. In literature, He occupies the central role and subject. The greatest masterpieces of music found their inspiration in Him. In architecture, no structures combine such symmetry, beauty, and grandeur as the buildings created for His worship.

He is the centre of the human race. In His alone do we find ideal humanity. He revealed in terms of human life the full perfections of Deity. In many places, Scripture introduces Him as the central figure. We see Him in the midst of the teachers, the experts in religious instruction, to learn of His Father's world purpose (read Luke 2:46-47). He is seen in the midst of sinners, bringing salvation (read John 19:18). He died as a criminal and He was in the central cross.

He appears in the midst of the churches, Revelations 1:13 says, "And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man…" Having triumphed over death, He now judges over the work and witness of His Church. Our final glimpse of Him is in the midst of the throne in heaven. "I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne…" (Revelations 5:6). Oh, what gladness and joy to see Jesus Christ reigning and being worship by the whole redeemed creation! He occupying the central theme of the universe! Wow!

Surely this must be the climax. But no, there is something more wonderful. Jesus Christ is in the midst of us all. He said, "For where two or three gather together as my followers (or gather together in my name), I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20). Christ is the centre of everything!

Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.