Scripture: “I am the resurrection and the life. Everyone who lives in
Me and believes in Me will never ever die.” John 11:25-26
Civil
war in the Middle East. The political turmoil in Europe. The crises throughout
Africa. The unrest in South America. All over the world, we see the truth of
Jesus Christ’s statement to His followers: “you will hear
of wars and threats of wars” (Matthew 24:6).
Many have predicted that when
mankind became more educated, they would give up their warlike ways, and peace
would rule the planet. Yet the story of humanity, right up to the present day,
is a story of war, conflict and suffering.
Hope for a better world -- for true
peace -- can be found only in God, not in ourselves. Human striving leads to
death. Life comes from God alone.
Life from God
Over
2,000 years ago, God came to earth to live among us. He entered the world as a
helpless baby, born miraculously to a virgin mother. Jesus, the Son of God,
grew up living the only perfect, sinless life. And when it was time, He
gathered His followers and taught people about God’s ways, saying, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the
full” (John 10:10). But He was so much more than a great teacher.
Death to Sin
The
Bible tells us that God’s Son came to earth so that He could go to the cross.
On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself all the sins of the world. That includes
every sin you and I have ever committed, as well the sins we’ll commit in the
future. For those who believe in and follow Jesus, our sins were nailed to the
cross with Him (Colossians 1:14).
He was, and is, the eternal sacrifice that guarantees a lasting peace. When we
repent and turn to Him, He will forgive us and remove the record of every sin
we have ever committed: “You were dead because of your sins... Then God made you
alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins” (Colossians 2:13).
Jesus’ Greatest Miracle
We recall the death of Jesus Christ
on “Good Friday.” But we celebrate on Resurrection Sunday: By the power of God,
Jesus Christ rose from the dead! Muhammad, the Buddha, and every other
religious leader through the ages is dead, buried, and gone. Jesus’ grave is
empty, and our deepest yearnings for life, peace, and hope find fulfillment in
the empty tomb. When Jesus rose from the dead, he secured eternal and abundant
life for His people.
Identified With Him, in Death and Life
Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who
live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Although
we deserved death, it’s as if our death sentence has already been carried out
for us by Jesus. Jesus did not come merely to improve us, but to completely
remake us. And now we have a brand new life -- His life.
He is the Only Way
Jesus’
disciples asked him, “Show us the way.” He responded, “I AM the way, and the truth, and the life - no one comes to
the Father but through Me” ( John 14:6). He also said, “You must be
born again” ( John 3:7).
Do You Have this Life?
You can make Jesus Christ Lord of
your life, beginning with a simple prayer of faith. Believe in Him, let Him
rule your life, and become a child of God: Dear Jesus, I believe that You have made it
possible for me to live a new, godly life. Thank You for paying the penalty for
my sins with Your death on the cross. Please forgive my sins and teach me to
live for You. Thank You for Your resurrection; I believe You are alive, and I
accept Your new life, power, and hope, for my trust is now in You. Amen.
No human effort or sacrifice can
guarantee lasting peace. Jesus Christ paid for God’s eternal freedom, lasting
peace, and justice and mercy with His blood. Hope for a better world -- and
eternal life to come -- comes from God alone.
