Where is the One Who has Been Born King of the Jews?

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Wisemen (the Magi) from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him, (Matthew 2:1-2). The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has become a major destination for pilgrims looking for Jesus, especially at Christmas. People come to spend Christmas and New Year with Prophet TB Joshua in SCOAN because they know that they will find Jesus in that Arena. Tourists from all over the globe come to SCOAN to seek God's intervention for one reason or another and to pray with His prophet there. This 2020 Christmas, defined by covid-19, is going to be different and making the well known Arena of Liberty less busy and less noisy of our joyful praises and dancing. When the prophet refused to open after the Lagos State permitted worship places to reopen we were not too happy. But prophet TB Joshua insisted chooses to wait on God to order the reopening. We didn't know at that time that covid-19 would have a second wave stronger than the first wave with a new strain of the virus, and possibly more subsequent waves ahead. The prophet is correct after all.

The Wisemen from the East went straight to Jerusalem to the palace of King Herod looking for Jesus, the New Born King. When King Herod heard the news, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Today the kingdom of darkness is not rejoicing that the Promised King, prophesied by many prophets, had been born. Even Balam said about this King, "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A Star will come forth from Jacob, and a sceptre will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth, (Numbers 24:17). Jeremiah also said, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise for David a Righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land, (Jeremiah 23:5). Zechariah also said, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey", (Zechariah 9:9). Despite all the prophecies when King Herod heard that another King was born he was still disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. For us, we shall rejoice and sing, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest", (Luke 19:38). As for Christians all over the world we'll continually sing, "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things", (Psalms 98:1).

Now the 21st Century Church of Christ is facing increasingly numerous challenges. Prophet TB Joshua is nevertheless one of the Church leaders we can describe as serving, loving and struggling for the good of the "Complete and Balance Teaching" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ The church is near and dear to his heart, and he spears no effort or amount in making sure the true gospel goes out. He has also continued to raise many apostles of standing, with sound knowledge of this Jesus of Nazareth, who also is the Christ of Christmas. Some of the challenges also include the prevailing society that is only willing to raise the class of church it wants and to listen only to whatever it wants to hear; instead of the Church where Jesus Christ will be present or preaching what the congregation needs to hear. Our inability to live by biblical teaching makes the Church biblically illiterate and ineffective. On this, we thank God that Prophet TB Joshua has continued to impact on the global society that living by the Word of Jesus Christ brings Jesus into our situation always and making doing exploits, for and in Jesus' name, like mere spoken words. It is our prayers that 2021 will produce a Christ Church that is led by revelation from above and not by sight nor mere motivational speakers. Hence if you are looking for Jesus, look into the scriptures and you will find Him therein. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me", (John 5:39).

Emmanuel!!

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria