Following Jesus

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 8:12

Maybe you have wondered why there's all this fuss about Jesus.  In fact, maybe lots of religious people have talked to you about Jesus and somehow it always turned out to be another way for them to tell you how to live or how bad you are.  Sorry about that.  That's not the message of Jesus! 

As Christians we read in the Bible about a God who is searching for us, calling to us and even entering our world in order to invite us into a deeper way of life.  As one writer puts it in the New Testament, Jesus is the image of the invisible God.   Have you wondered what God is like?  Have you wondered if God cares?  Have you wondered if there is any value in life?  For us, the answer to those and many other questions are found in Jesus.  

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:6-8

Still sinners...here's the cool part, religion often implies that you need to get your life turned around.  Jesus came to say that even if your life is a mess, you can know that you were created by a loving God, that your life has meaning, that there is hope.  In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus we see God saying to you, "I am not giving up on you".  "I will do whatever it takes to get through to you, to tell you how much I love you, and offer you the kind of life that you were created for." 

1. Jesus came to show us what God is like...loving, generous, sacrificing, determined
2. The death and resurrection of Jesus was real and historical.  And watching the way peoples' lives are changed when they believe in Jesus is perhaps the best proof.
3. Jesus came to offer us a glimse at a better way to live, not just a location for us when we die.  Your life (and my life) matters to God.  Today can be a new day.  Your past, your mistakes and your regrets can all be forgiven.  The highlights and beautiful moments in life can be a glimse into the goodness of God.  Jesus lived and moved and breathed.  God in flesh.  Life matters.  Today is good.  God is real!
4. By believing in Jesus (not by living a good enough life!) we are offered eternal life with God.  We call this grace.  We can't earn eternal life and we are free to stop trying.  God wants our HEART!  He wants a relationship with us.  An honest, deep, trusting relationship.  The kind we all long for.  So does God!  That's why he sent Jesus.  Relationship!  We shouldn't ever have to earn or strive or fake our way to God.  Give God your heart. 

So what do you believe about Jesus?  If you want to know more, the best place to start is by reading about Jesus.  Pick up a Bible and read the book of Mark or Luke to start with.  Watch as Jesus hangs out with ordinary people, loves and heals and shares stories about God, and then freely gives his life because that's what love requires. 

If you have questions, if you want to talk about this Jesus, or if you want to find out more about starting a relationship with Jesus, we would welcome that!