Have you ever thought about what the world might look like if Jesus had yet to come? It’s kind of hard to wrap your head around, but it’s worth thinking about. Because honestly, it would be a completely different world! Darker, colder, and a whole lot more hopeless…
If Jesus hadn’t come, we’d still be stuck in a world where everyone’s trying to earn their way to God. We’d be keeping score — measuring our worth by how well we followed rules, how often we went to the temple, or how many sacrifices we made. Our relationship with God would be all about doing — and never really knowing if we’d done enough. That’s what life was like before Jesus. The religious system was heavy. It was exhausting. It was never finished. Imagine being on that religious hamster wheel, never really going anywhere!
And think about how much of our everyday life is touched by who Jesus is. The way we speak about and try to actually practice forgiveness, compassion, kindness, equality — all of that has roots in Him. The idea that every person matters, no matter their background or mistakes? That’s Jesus. Without Him, our world would probably still revolve around power and performance — the strong dominating the weak, and the proud taking the lead. Mercy wouldn’t make sense. Grace wouldn’t exist.
Even more personal than that — without Jesus, we’d still be separated from God with no direct access. No confidence to pray. No assurance that we’re loved, forgiven, and made right. We’d still be trying to bridge that gap ourselves, one good deed or religious ritual at a time. So much futility! Deep down, we’d know it wasn’t enough.
But thank God, that’s not our story! Jesus did come. He tore down the wall between us and God. He finished the work we never could. Because of Him, we don’t have to perform to be accepted. We don’t have to live in fear or guilt or endless striving. We get to walk in grace — forgiven, free, and fully loved.
And yet… so many people today are living as if He never came. They’re still carrying the weight of trying to be “good enough.” Still chasing peace through achievement, religion, or the latest self-help program. Still trying to earn what’s already been given.
That’s the sad irony — that Jesus has already done everything needed to set us free, but a lot of us live like we’re still waiting for Him to show up.
So maybe the question isn’t just, “What if Jesus hadn’t come?” Maybe it’s also, “Am I living as if He hasn’t?”
Because the truth is, He has come. He’s here. He’s alive. And because of that, we have hope — real, unshakable hope. Every day.
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” – Galatians 4:4-5
Former Blackout Artist 