Day four - Jesus is the answer

I’ve always loved music of every type and style from the classics to Jimi Hendrix - although it was difficult to relax the same when listening to Jimi Hendrix. The facilities we have now a days to find music of every era is really fantastic, for modern tech has made all this stuff easily available to us.

One of my favourite singer songwriters of the 70’s/80’s was Andrae Crouch and at that time he was known as "the father of modern gospel music". Some of the songs he penned include: The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power; My Tribute; and, Soon and very soon we are going to see the King, all brilliant compositions. The song that I loved the most though was Jesus is the answer. The lyrics in the chorus are:

Jesus Is the Answer for The World Today

Above Him There's No Other Jesus Is the Way

Jesus Is the Answer for The World Today

Above Him There's No Other Jesus Is The Way

The lyrics do raise the question of what does it mean “Jesus is the answer?” What is it we are trying to convey when we claim Jesus is the answer? This comment can easily move us to another question such as where would you like to begin? On a global aspect we could suggest Jesus is the answer to the problems of the world. Experience tells us that the world is broken and in need of repair —sometimes its brokenness is rather obvious.

Jesus is the answer and he has a plan to fix this broken world. It isn’t so long ago at Christmas when we were quoting verses like: “The government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

If we look at the wording in the first verse of the song it gives us a direction to where we should be looking to find our answers.

If you have some questions in the corners of your mind

and traces of discouragement and peace you cannot find

Reflections of the old past, seem to face you every day

There's one thing I know for sure that Jesus is the way

Words of encouragement come when we read Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Some of you will remember the old chorus,

Christ Is the Answer to My Every Need;

Christ Is the Answer, He Is My Friend Indeed.

Problems of Life My Spirit May Assail,

With Christ My Saviour

I Need Never Fail,

For Christ Is the Answer to My Need

Tom Bonnar