The Answer

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10).

Recently, I had breakfast with a friend, and as we talked about life and all its many problems and unanswered questions, I was reminded of a sign by the freeway where I live: In big neon letters, it says Jesus Is The Answer.

Why was I reminded of that sign? Because we kept returning to Him. The person of Christ. But what struck me most about that conversation was what we did not keep coming back to.

We did not keep coming back to a formulaic solution (Do these three things, and you’ll have your answer). We did not keep defaulting to an algorithm (If you do this, then God will do that). And we did not go to legalism or morality (The dos and don’ts of life; If you perfunctorily perform the following list of religious duties, then you’ll appease and satisfy your stern Father, earning His favor and guaranteeing smooth passage ahead).

No, ultimately, the destination we kept arriving at was not morality, virtue, activity, or effort. In fact, it wasn’t even Christianity, one of many sitting on the shelf of world religions.

The answer we kept coming back to was a Person. The Person of Jesus Christ.

When Thomas wanted to know the destination, surprisingly, Jesus only pointed him in one direction. Himself. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).

In response to those loaded down with weighty problems, Christ’s solution was again Himself, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (John 11:28).

And in the final words He chose to speak before He ascended, we see this pattern yet again, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

So yes, in bold neon letters, Jesus Is The Answer. There may be no immediate fix to your difficult dilemma, no quick solution, or speedy responses to the unanswered questions of life. But He will be there.

And finding Him in the mess of it all, ongoing communion, and trust in Jesus will be His answer for you.