Jesus, the Best Hope for the World

I still believe. I still believe Jesus is the best hope for the salvation of the world. Like you, I am often tempted by other “saviors.” Politicians make promises and offer us hope of a better world. And ever hopeful (and perhaps gullible), we believe that perhaps this one will make the difference. But after the glow of elections is past, we discover that all leaders have their flaws. They make compromises we wouldn’t make if we were in their shoes (right?). They let us down in some way. Truth is, the nature of bureaucracy is such that I wonder if any elected leader can overcome it.

We’re still waiting for science and technology to save us. Aren’t microwaves great, assuming those “waves” really don’t have any harmful effect? They can make bread last for weeks in our pantries without molding (I wonder what’s in those additives and what they do to our insides?). Aren’t cell phones awesome? Still, they are filled with toxic metals which if not properly disposed of become contaminants in our soil and water. Love those new spiral light bulbs? Same problem – better dispose of them properly. Every advance creates new problems.

How about the free market? Let’s turn all those entrepreneurs and corporations loose and there will be a marvelous trickle down effect. Oops! Sorry, that was before Enron, Quest, AIG, and . . . BP?

I still believe Jesus is the best hope for the world. He says, “Follow me,” and begins preaching good news for the poor, recovery of sight for the blind, liberty for the oppressed. He feeds the hungry, heals the lame, and casts demons out of the possessed. And he says the most important thing is for us to love one another, and he shows us what love is by giving his life for the life of the world.

I still believe Jesus is the best hope for the world. He carries no weapons to force his will on others. His military strategy is called “loving our enemies.” He offers no political agenda other than building relationships with the least and the lost. His economy is based on giving rather than keeping. Rather than keeping up with the Jones’ he wants us to check on the Jones’ to make sure they’re alright. His mode of communication is outdated, but there’s something undeniably authentic about one-on-one encounters with a person who cares. His health plan might be summed up in “caring for our neighbor.” And he’s so committed to his agenda that he is willing to give his life for it.

Someone once said that the problem with Christianity is not that it has been tried and found wanting, but that it has never been tried. Well, I’m trying. Feebly, I know. But I’m trying. And I still believe Jesus is the best hope for the world. He’s the best solution for all the ills we face. Maybe I am naïve, but I still believe.