Jesus Is the Alpha

August 6, 2020
Midweek Thoughts from Don:
Jesus Is the Alpha
In the first century, when the church first came into existence, Christians were being slaughtered by those who hated them (the Romans and the Jews). The Romans saw the early church as a dangerous entity because the Christians would not swear their first allegiance to Caesar. They were unashamedly committed to Jesus, and because of this, the Romans declared Christians must be eradicated. The Jews saw Christians as heretics and apostates. The Christians said that Jesus was God. In response to this, the Jewish leaders said Christians must be killed. In response to this bloodbath, God sent a special message to the first century church. This message is found in the Book of Revelation (The Book of the Apocalypse as we called it last week).
What gave these oppressed believers the courage and strength to go on? A message regarding Jesus. The Book of Revelation describes Jesus as the Alpha and the Omega. We will consider what it means for Jesus to be the Omega next week. This week we will look at what Scripture means when it describes Jesus as the Alpha. This is a reference to his divinity. Jesus claiming that he is the Alpha is a strong statement regarding his Godhood. Consider with me, who made this universe? God did. God has always been here. He was here before the dawn of time and the birth of the universe. To say “I am the Alpha” is to claim to be the beginning of all things. As we ponder life and the meaning of life, all things must begin with Jesus.
There might be someone reading this who says: “What does this have to do with me?” It is not uncommon in today’s culture for people to question why this matters. The answer is that if Jesus is the “Alpha,” then the meaning of life and all the answers to life’s big questions begin with him. For many people, the quest for meaning and purpose in life begins with themselves. The result of this self-seeking quest is always disaster and frustration. In order to get a proper view of life (and

ourselves) we need to gain a perspective that is accurate. If I were to ask you to place your hands over your eyes, what would you see? What would your perspective be? You’d see nothing. When you place your hands over your eyes, you end up blocking out the light that is needed to see properly. When you move your hands a millimeter away, light might be available, but you still cannot see properly. Only when you move your hands a proper distance away from your eyes and gain proper perspective can you see your hands in a way that makes sense. The same is true with Jesus. Life will only make sense when we make Jesus our Alpha. He must be the source and the basis for operating and living.
You are not the Alpha. When you start with yourself, you will never find “you.” You must get out of yourself to find yourself. This is one of the main truths of Scripture. If you want to find life, you cannot begin with yourself. Finding life always begins with Jesus, the source of life. Many people are attempting to deal with their hurts, their confusion, and their frustrations by looking within
themselves. God says, make me your “Alpha” point and you will find healing, clarity, and
peace. Begin with Jesus and you will have all you need to live life.
Our conversation today began with the first century church looking for help and encouragement in the midst of devastating persecution. It makes perfect sense that Jesus would remind his people that they must look to him. When Christians make Jesus their “Alpha Point” they are able to weather any storm that might blow their way. Let me ask: “What is anchoring your
soul?” “What is it that you trust in to make it through each day?” If it is a person, they will let you down. If it is money or stuff, then you are a “bankrupt life” waiting to happen. The only secure refuge is Jesus. God has the answers. God cares. God made you and all of this creation. Therefore He is interested in what happens to you. Join me next week as we continue to investigate the idea that Jesus is all we need in life. Keep looking up!