Christ was, and is, at the centre of God’s plan for this world.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God from the beginning.
The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. This is the man, Jesus Christ.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not put it out.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. Yet to all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God.
[Adapted from John 1:1-18 NIV]
It was God’s purpose from before the creation (before the Big Bang, if you can accept this) that the transforming power of Jesus Christ would be offered as a free gift to all mankind, freeing us from bondage to a life lived in self-seeking gratification.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believed in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
[1 Peter 1:18-21 NIV]
Furthermore, Jesus Christ did not appear unexpectedly, but even his arrival had been foretold by the Israelite prophets.
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
[Hebrews 1:2-3a NIV]