Relationships

How ‘distant’ were your relationships with friends and family over Christmas and the New Year? Christmas 2020 was different to what has gone before. Irrespective of COVID-19, it is often said that many relationships are under increased strain over the Christmas/New Year period. Currently the lockdown means some families are experiencing a home life where physical closeness is bringing its own pressures, resulting in a distancing of relationship.

The Christian message is about closer relationships. It tells us how the God of the universe came to earth, choosing to take the form of a man. At first hearing, that sounds incredible. This man, whose name is Jesus, referred to God as ‘my Father’ – a relationship which, he said, pre-existed his earthly life.

He would spend around three years of this life allowing his words and deeds to be scrutinised by political leaders, religious leaders and also men and women from all classes of society. No one could disprove his claim to be in an utterly unique relationship with God.

For 2000 years, some men and women have sought to label Jesus as an impostor, a blasphemer or nothing more than a rabbi (teacher) of his day. None have made their case stick. These days, the majority of us are vague about the claims made by Jesus and therefore are apathetic towards him.

What was the purpose in this coming of God as man? It’s to restore the distanced relationship that exists between God and people like you and me. This is what he says we need: our recognition of a damaged relationship and an effective reconciliation.

As we launch into 2021, we are hopeful of better things with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. The strong desire to return to unrestricted social and family relationships rather than connecting at a distance is a good picture of what God purposed in the sending of Jesus: he desires that our relationship with Him not be distant but restored to that of close family. Jesus has made this possible. Why not resolve, in 2021, to ask God for help in getting to know him personally. Jesus says, ‘…whoever comes to me I will never drive away.’ The effect of ‘coming to Jesus’ is that we come to God also.