Last time, I tried to explain how sin entered the world and why suffering exists. We saw that in Genesis 3 humanity chose independence from God and were removed from His presence. We saw how generations after Adam and Eve continued to disobey and sin. So the question now is “If everything is broken… can it be restored?”
The Problem; Sin & Separation
The Bible is very clear about sin, Romans 3:23 says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
And the result is serious: Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
This death is not physical but rather the spiritual death we experience when we allow sin to take over lives. God is Holy and Just while we as humans are sinful. Those two cannot work together.
And because there are consequences for sin, we needed to be saved from ourselves.
This is the reason why God sent His Son (John 3:16) someone needed to pay the price for the sins we committed so we can be saved from the death that sin leads to.
The Solution: Jesus Christ
The coming of Jesus was something that had been prophesied a long time ago. It wasn’t a last minute plan God had. There are more than enough verses to back this up: Isaiah 7:13 – 14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Galatians 4:4–5, Matthew 1:22–23.
Jesus is not just sent by God, He is God Himself dwelling amongst us humans. In other words, He is God with us. Matthew 1:23: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
I also tried to explain the trinity in one of our earlier lessons. We’re different from other religions because we not only believe in Jesus Christ but because we also believe He is God.
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.”
John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”
So to us Christians, Jesus is fully God and fully human. This is what makes us different from other religions. We believe in Jesus Christ as human AND also as God.
- In Islam: Jesus is a prophet, not God
- In Judaism: not accepted as Messiah
- Many today: just a teacher
Again, the solution was given to us by God and all we had to do is believe. Even this seems too difficult for most of us.
The moment Jesus started His ministry, there was no stopping Him. He gave several teachings, so that we knew what was expected from us.
Jesus was fully aware of His mission, He knew what was expected of Him, He knew the type of people we were and yet He did His part.
Mark 10:45: “The Son of Man came… to give His life as a ransom for many.”
He had to die for us because someone had to pay for our sins. Since the punishment for our sins was death, someone would have to die. But God is so loving and faithful that He found a way to save us.
Romans 5:8 “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The question is; what are you doing with this new life that was given to you? Do we keep committing crimes that require death? Do we take for granted the sacrifice He made on the cross?
How does this make us different from those who crucified Him?
Look into your life and ask yourself; Do I deserve the mercy that has been given to me?
I already know the answer but do you? Are you grateful and do you show this?
The next few weeks, you’ll probably be hearing a lot about easter and the sacrifice Jesus made. Let it not be just another year, hearing stories about His crucifixion.
Our savior came to wash us clean, don’t let His sacrifice go to waste.
Stay Blessed x
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