A lot of people think that Christianity is all about church tradition and religious practice. But thats not true! Those who really know Jesus love Him because of who He is. Allow me to segue to the... Reason I Love Jesus #1: (not necessarily in importance) Fully God, Fully human. Jesus is real - not just in the sense that He exists, but in that He has a real heart, loving and understanding people. In John chapter 11, Jesus finds out that his friend Lazarus (the brother of his friends Martha and Mary) had died. Versus 33-35 say this: When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They *said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. STOP. Remember who Jesus is. Take hold of what is going on here. Jesus is GOD - He has the power to resurrect people and Hes about to use it to resurrect Lazarus. WHY then is He crying and His Spirit troubled? Why isnt His attitude, No big deal. There you go. Hes alive again. Yeh. :D? Even though He knew the pain of Lazaruss death would only last for a short while, He saw the pain of the people around Him who had lost their friend. He didnt trivialize it or offer some cheap cliche (Hes in a better place now/Gods in control). He allowed Himself to experience that pain, and it broke His heart. He didnt have to concern Himself with humanity, but He left the comforts of being the prince in Heaven and He came down out of love. He denied the easy life and took up His cross. Hes the King of kings yet He cares for the least of all people. Also: Hebrews 4:15 says, For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin. He knows our struggles with temptation and sin, but He was without sin so we could have forgiveness for sins. He doesnt ask us to do something that He wasnt willing to do Himself, plus He offers grace for those who truly love Him and follow Him, yet stumble. Hes patient. Hes forgiving. REWIND. In verses 23-27, Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.” Jesus was saying that He would bring Lazarus back to life, but He was also pointing to something more significant - something for all of us, not just one man. Anyone who lives in and believes in Christ (follows Christ) will never die (Spiritually). They have eternal life, forgiveness of sins and have been born again. Do YOU believe this?
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 00:55:45 +0000
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