Does Jesus Matter That Much?
Detective novels are ‘Whodunits’. The gospels are basically ‘Whowasits’.
John’s gospel begins with the teaching that Jesus is God who came to earth in the flesh.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Clearly, if this is true, then rejection of God puts us in the wrong. And who else is there that can forgive us our sin but God alone? John the Baptist pointed Jesus out to his own followers with the words,
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
At the end of the first chapter of John, Nathaniel makes a remarkable declaration to Jesus,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” John 1:50
This teaching is mind blowing – so big that it is hard to take it in. There was a schoolmaster who was teaching a class of 10 year olds. One boy asked him,
“Please sir, have you ever seen God?”
His reply was precise,
“No, but if I’d lived in Israel 2000 years ago I could have done.”
The four gospels are records of the evidence that convinced the disciples with the effect that they were willing to give their lives, literally, to doing what he wanted. Thus John could write towards the end of his gospel,
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31-32
How can we help ourselves and our families to understand these issues? Why not come and see what happens at 10.30 am a Sunday morning service in Christchurch? If informality is your scene come and try Sunday at 6. Help your children think about these issues by bringing them to the Sunday Club at 10.30 on Sunday mornings. Encourage the youngsters to join the Christians in Sport group. You could read ‘Cure for Life’ which is available from this website. You could join a Christianity Explored group where the Christian claims are informally discussed.
BVP
