|
Q: When did Jesus realize He must be the Son of God, or did He always feel that way, do you think? I find it hard to imagine what He must have felt like, especially if He always knew He was going to be put to death for our sins. — M.G. A: Dear M.G., The Bible doesn't tell us much about Jesus' boyhood—but even the one glimpse we have of him as a boy tells us that He was already aware of His unique status as God's Son, sent from heaven to die for our sins. The incident occurred when Jesus was 12. Mary (His mother) and Joseph took Him to Jerusalem for Passover, one of the annual Jewish feasts. Mary and Joseph were devout people, and apparently made the long trip from Nazareth every year. No doubt they had spent many hours with Jesus at home, teaching Him from God's Word and sharing with Him the uniqueness of His birth. On this occasion, they became separated from Jesus. When they found him several days later, He was in the Temple listening to the teachers and asking them questions about God's Word. He told them, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49). The Bible then adds, "Then he went down to Nazareth. ... And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:51-52). Never forget that Jesus was God in human flesh, from the moment of His miraculous conception. And because He was God as well as man, He was able to be the one final sacrifice for our sins. Have you received Him into your heart, and do you thank Him every day for His love? Q: If Jesus is God, why does the Bible talk about Him praying to God? A: Since the Bible affirms that Jesus is God, it is often perplexing to note that Jesus addresses God in prayer. The answer to this, as well as to all references to Jesus as tired, hungry, weeping, lacking knowledge, etc., is that Jesus was a true man, as well as God. The second Person of the Trinity, God the Son, took upon Himself complete humanity, except for our sinful nature, when He was conceived in Mary. He is described by theologians as one Divine Person having two natures, divine and human—the God-man. Passages of Scripture which describe Jesus' limitations are referring to His humanity. He lived His life as a true man, depending upon His heavenly Father day by day, just as we are expected to do. Many believe that even His miracles and supernatural knowledge were enabled by the Holy Spirit, not accomplished by switching back and forth between His divine and human natures. When Jesus cried from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He was expressing from His human consciousness the terrible sense of being separated from His heavenly Father as He suffered the penalty for the world's sin. He, of course, with respect to His divine nature, could not suffer or die. In all of this great mystery, we have only glimmers of truth which is beyond human comprehension. Q: Is Jesus God? A: In their book "Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics Ask About the Christian Faith," Josh McDowell and Don Stewart state the following: "Among the religious leaders who have attained a large following throughout history, Jesus Christ is unique in the fact that He alone claimed to be God in human flesh ... The claims of Christ are many and varied. He said that He existed before Abraham (John 8:58), and that He was equal with the Father (John 5:17-18). Jesus claimed the ability to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7), which the Bible teaches was something that God alone could do (Isaiah 43:25). "The New Testament equated Jesus as the creator of the universe (John 1:3), and that He is the one who holds everything together (Colossians 1:17). The apostle Paul says that God was manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16, KJV), and John the evangelist says that 'the Word was God' (John 1:1). The united testimony of Jesus and the writers of the New Testament is that He was more than mere man; He was God ... "Yes, Jesus claimed to be God. Why should anyone believe it? After all, merely claiming to be something does not make it true. Where's the evidence that Jesus is God? "The Bible gives various reasons, including miracles and fulfilled prophecy, that are intended to convince us that Jesus is the one whom He said He was (John 20:30-31). The main reason, or the sign which Jesus himself said would demonstrate that He was the Son of God, was His resurrection from the dead." Most importantly, countless people for almost 2000 years have discovered that Jesus Christ alone can meet the deepest longings and needs of the human heart. He can do this because He was God in human form, and He was raised from the dead by the power of God. He is alive today, and He wants to enter your life right now. Do not be blinded by your own ideas or the ideas of others regarding religious truth. Look at Christ, and when you do you will realize that in Christ alone "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Q: Is Jesus Christ going to return again to this earth some day? A: It is very clearly set forth in the Scriptures that Jesus Christ will bodily and visibly return to this earth. In the Old Testament there are prophecies which can be fulfilled only by our Lord's return. In the New Testament there are over 300 references to Christ's second coming. Christ Himself emphasized that He would come again. On one occasion He said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:3). On another occasion Jesus said, "You will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:62; see also Mark 13:26, Matthew 24:30 and Luke 21:27). The apostles continued the emphasis on Jesus' return. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Paul said, "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." Revelation 1:7 says, "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him." The bodily, visible return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the Christian's "blessed hope" (Titus 2:13). Q: I guess we don't know what Jesus looked like, but why didn't God have someone do a portrait of Him so we could know what He was really like? At least it would have kept artists from speculating about His appearance so much. — Mrs. F.C. A: Dear Mrs. F.C., No, we don't know what Jesus looked like; neither the accounts of His life in the Gospels or later writings from the early centuries of the Christian era give us any firm information. Why didn't God provide us with this information? One reason may be because He knew we might become preoccupied with Jesus' appearance, instead of focusing on what is really important about Him. Some people might even have been tempted to make idols that looked like Him and then worship them—which the Bible clearly forbids. The important thing is not what Jesus looked like, but who He was and what He did for us. He was God in human flesh, sent from Heaven to save us from our sins by His death on the cross. He was perfect and without sin, but in God's love all our sins were placed on Him, and He died in our place. The Bible says, "Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus Christ—not at His physical appearance, but at His sinless life and character. As the Bible says, "No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made him known" (John 1:18). Then respond to His love by giving your life to Him. Q: I don't understand what Jesus' suffering on the cross has to do with our salvation. After all, lots of people have suffered just as much as He did, or even a lot worse. — N.H. A: Dear N.H., Death by crucifixion was one of the most painful experiences imaginable, and Jesus' suffering on the cross was far more agonizing that anything most of us will ever have to endure. But Jesus' physical suffering was only a sign of a much deeper kind of suffering He was enduring: the suffering of His spirit. When Jesus died, the face of His heavenly Father was hidden, and He was torn from the presence of God. He who had enjoyed unbroken fellowship with His Father in heaven from all eternity now faced Hell itself. This was His real agony—an agony far deeper than that which any other person has ever endured. Why did He have to endure so much suffering? The reason is because all our sins were placed on Him, and when He suffered and died He was taking upon Himself the punishment we deserve. You and I only deserve judgment and hell—but He took our judgment and hell upon Himself. The Bible says, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21). He took your place! Why did He do this? He did it because of love! He loves us, and He wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Sin is serious—so serious that it sent Jesus to the cross. But God's love is greater, and because of Jesus' death and resurrection we can be saved. Turn to Christ and accept Him into your life today. Q: What do you think Jesus must have been like when He was a boy? Did He know then that He was going to be the Messiah? Or was He just like any other boy? — Mrs. C.H. A: Dear Mrs. C.H., The Bible doesn't give us many details about Jesus' boyhood, because its emphasis is on His ministry—especially what He did to save us from our sins through His death and resurrection. But the glimpses we do get suggest some important things about His early years. First, like any other boy, He had to grow and become strong, both physically and mentally. For example, as a boy, He probably went to school (as almost all Jewish boys did in those days). The Bible says that as a boy He "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). Secondly, as a boy Jesus grew spiritually, and in His understanding of the Scriptures also. At the age of 12, Jesus went to Jerusalem with His family and He become separated from them. When Mary and Joseph finally found Him, He was in the Temple, "sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions" (Luke 2:46). When they asked Him what He was doing, He replied, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49). He already realized He had a special relationship with God. Never forget that Jesus came down from heaven for one reason: to save us from our sins. He willingly left heaven's glory and became a man, living in the midst of this world's sin and violence. Why? Because He loves us. Have you responded to His love by giving your life to Him? Q: Was Jesus married? I read a best seller recently that claims He was married to Mary Magdalene (if I understood it correctly) but I'd never heard that before. — L.Y. A: Dear L.Y., The reason you had never heard it before is because there isn't one shred of evidence—not one—to support this idea. The book you were reading is fiction—and that's exactly what this idea is: fiction. Nowhere in the Bible (or in any other Christian writing after Jesus' ministry) is there any hint at all that Jesus was married. For example, His closest relatives and disciples came together at the cross as He was dying—but no wife is mentioned, as she would have been if He had been married. Jesus' sole concern then was for the welfare of His mother (see John 19:26-27). This isn't to say that Jesus disapproved of marriage—not at all. In fact, His first miracle took place at a wedding, to which He had been invited with His mother and some of His disciples (see John 2:1-11). God gave marriage to us, and Jesus spoke often about the joys and responsibilities of marriage. Most of the earliest disciples were married, including Peter (whose mother-in-law was healed by Jesus—Mark 1:30). Jesus came into the world for one reason: to die for our sins on the cross. Don't be misled by myths that might turn you away from that great truth. Instead, make sure of your commitment to Him, for "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree (cross), so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24). Q: I don't have any problem believing Jesus was a son of God, just as we all are (although He was more perfect than we are). But I can't believe He was the only Son of God. Why do Christians say He was, and what difference does it make anyway? — D.M. A: Dear D.M., You are right when you say Christians believe that Jesus was the unique Son of God. In fact, they have held this belief for almost 2,000 years—since the very beginning of the Christian faith. Why is this? The main reason is because this is the consistent testimony of the Bible. Jesus Himself declared that He was both fully man and fully God. To those who opposed Him, He said, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). They understood exactly what He meant, and even started to stone Him "because you, a mere man, claim to be God" (John 10:33). This also was the consistent testimony of the earliest Christians (including His closest disciples). John declared, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father" (John 1:1,14). Why is the divinity of Jesus so important? Because our greatest need is to have our sins forgiven, and only a divine Savior—and therefore without sin—could become the final sacrifice for our sins. I invite you to see Jesus as He truly was: God in human flesh, coming from heaven to save us from our sins. Then turn to Him in repentance and faith, and give your life to Him today. Q: I respect Jesus as a profound teacher and a great person, but I can't accept the Bible's myths about things like the miracles He supposedly did. I can't believe in miracles in our scientific age. — J.V.W. A: Dear J.V.W., I'm glad you respect Jesus for the things He taught—but have you ever asked yourself what part of His teaching shocked people the most? The answer, you will find, is His teaching about Himself. Jesus touched on many subjects in His teaching, such as human relationships, our care for the creation, personal integrity, and so forth. In fact, His teachings touch on almost every part of life. But intertwined with all His other teachings was something more basic: His teaching about Himself. What did He say about Himself? Repeatedly Jesus made the most startling claim imaginable: that He was God in human flesh. To His disciples He said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). To the crowds He declared, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me" (John 12:44-45). Why is this important? Because if Jesus was who He claimed to be (and He was), then we would expect Him to perform miracles. His miracles were signs—signs pointing to His true identity. They weren't myths; they actually happened! I urge you to see Jesus as He really is: the divine Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. And then I urge you to give your life to Him, for He is worthy of your full allegiance. Q: If Jesus came down to earth now instead of 2,000 years ago, do you think people would treat Him any differently than they did then? Although we still have a lot of problems, it is a less cruel world now than it was then, it seems to me. — H.B. A: Dear H.B., In some ways, we are a more civilized world—and one reason is because of the influence of Christ's followers over the centuries. They weren't perfect but they took seriously the Bible's command to "do good to all people" (Galatians 6:10)—and we live in a better world because of them. But one thing has not changed over the centuries, and that is the human heart. Down inside, we are all born apart from God, and we grow up selfish and demanding our own way. What the Psalmist said of himself is also true of us: "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:5). And one sign of our sin is that we don't want God's way in our lives, and we are in rebellion against Him and His will. How else do you explain the evil in the world? That's why if Jesus had come today the results would be the same. Only one thing caused Jesus to go to the cross, and that was our sin. He came to become the final, complete sacrifice for our sins, and only through His death and resurrection could we be saved. Have you faced your own need of Christ's forgiveness and new life? And do you realize what He did for you on the cross almost 2,000 years ago? By faith accept the gift He offers you today—the gift of eternal life. Q: I don't agree with those who say we are just as responsible for Jesus' death as the people who lived in the first century. Why would anyone say that? I didn't have anything to do with Jesus' death. — N.K. A: Dear N.K., No, perhaps you and I didn't stand with the crowd outside the Roman governor's palace on that fateful day and demand that Pilate execute Him. But in a far deeper way you and I were just as responsible for His death as they were. Let me explain. The key is to understand why Jesus died on the cross. Jesus didn't die because He was weak and powerless or because He had no choice. Remember: He was the Son of God, and as He told Pilate, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53). Instead, He submitted to His death willingly and voluntarily. Why did He do this? He did it for one reason: to become the final and complete sacrifice for our sins. You see, by nature you and I are separated from God because of our sins, and our greatest need is to have our sins forgiven. As the Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). But we can't take away our own sins; only God can do that. And that is what Jesus did for us on the cross. He was without sin, but all our sins were placed on Him and He died in our place. That is why we are all responsible for His death, for we are all sinners. Don't let pride or anything else keep you from Christ, but by faith open your heart to Him today. Q: If Jesus was God (as you Christians believe), how could He die? Does this mean that God died? How could that be? I'm not trying to be difficult, but I've honestly never understood this. — S.M. A: Dear S.M., Yes, Christians do believe that Jesus was not only fully human but also fully divine - that is, that He was God in human flesh. One reason is because of Jesus' own statements about Himself, such as His assertion that "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). How could Jesus die if He was God? One way to understand this is to realize that when Jesus' body died on the cross, He did not cease to exist. Yes, His body was dead—but His soul or spirit was still alive (just as ours will be when we die). Just moments before He died, we read that "Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit'" (Luke 23:46). A far more important question about Jesus' death, however, is this: Why did He die? The Bible makes it clear that Jesus knew His enemies would try to put Him to death—and yet He refused to escape. Why? For one reason: Jesus came to become the final and complete sacrifice for our sins. We deserve to die for our sins, but He died in our place. Why did He do this? He did it because God loves us and yearns for us to come to know Him and to love Him in return. He did it because He wants to forgive our sins and make us part of His family forever. Don't keep Christ at a distance any longer, but by faith open your heart to Him and commit your life to Him today. Q: My uncle just laughs when I say I believe in life after death. I tried to tell him I know there is life after death because of Jesus' resurrection, but he said Jesus was just in a coma and didn't really rise from the dead. Could he be right? — R.C. A: Dear R.C., No, he isn't right—not at all. A large number of people witnessed Jesus' death, and the Roman soldiers who took His body down from the cross were hardened men who were familiar with death. They made certain Jesus was dead before they released His body. Remember, too, that when Jesus was laid in a borrowed tomb (which was somewhat like a small cave), guards were placed around it to be sure the body wasn't stolen. In addition, a huge stone weighing hundreds of pounds covered the mouth of the tomb. It would have been impossible for someone who had had nails driven through his hands and feet to regain consciousness and move such a stone. Jesus' resurrection is one of the most carefully documented events in history—and this is the foundation of our hope. The Bible says, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile. ... But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:17,20). Your uncle still may not be persuaded, however. His real problem, I suspect, is deeper: not doubt but disbelief. He knows that if he ever admits Jesus rose from the dead, he will have to submit his life to Him—and that is what he refuses to do. Pray for him, and ask God to help you share with him the hope we have in Christ, both for this life and the life to come. Q: I know Christians believe Jesus was divine (in fact, we heard a lot about this at Christmas, with the carols and everything). But why do they believe it? After all, Jesus didn't claim to be God, did He? Wasn't that a later invention? — C.D. A: Dear C.D., No, the divinity of Jesus wasn't a later invention or an idea dreamed up by His followers. Instead, right from the first His followers were convinced that Jesus wasn't just another great man but that He was also God in human form. Why did they believe this? One reason is because Jesus Himself made that claim. To His disciples He said, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). On another occasion, He boldly stated, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). Even His enemies knew of His claim to be God; on one occasion, they accused Him of blasphemy and tried to stone Him, "because you, a mere man, claim to be God" (John 10:33). Not only did He claim to be God, but He also claimed to have the power to do things only God can do. For example, He said that He had the authority to forgive sins—something only God can do (see Luke 5:24). In addition, His miracles showed He could reverse the laws of nature—again, something only God could do. The ultimate proof of His divinity, however, was His resurrection from the dead. Why is this important? The reason is because only a divine Savior could save us from our sins—and that is exactly what Jesus Christ did through His death on the cross for us. Don't doubt God's love for you, but by faith open your heart and life to Jesus Christ today. Q: Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand why the death of Jesus almost 2,000 years ago makes any difference to me right now. I know you'll probably say Jesus died for my sins, but to be honest I can't buy that. — J.K. A: Dear J.K., If Jesus' death were simply a tragic event that ended the life of an ordinary man, then you would be right—it wouldn't make much difference to us today. But what if Jesus was more than a mere man? What if He was actually who the Bible says He is—the divine Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins? What if His death wasn't simply a tragic accident but part of God's eternal plan to make possible our salvation? I think you'd agree that that would make all the difference. And that is exactly what happened when Jesus died on the cross. Yes, from a human point of view Jesus' death was simply another tragedy—but from God's point of view it accomplished far more than we could ever imagine. The Bible puts it this way: "This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge" (Acts 2:23). In God's plan, by His death on the cross Jesus became the full and final sacrifice for our sins. Just as the men who signed our nation's Declaration of Independence over 200 years ago accomplished something that is still with us, so—in a far greater way—what Jesus did on the cross 2,000 years ago is still with us. Why did He die? He died because God loves us and He wants us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Don't turn away from Him, but by faith ask Christ to come into your life today—and He will. Q: What makes Jesus different from all the other religious leaders who ever lived, as you Christians say He was? I know He was a great man, and I respect His teachings, but other major religious leaders were just as great, in my opinion. — C.B. A: Dear C.B., Yes, Christians do believe that Jesus was different from every other religious leader who has ever lived or ever will live—and with good reason. Let me explain why. You see, the Bible—which is our only reliable source of information about Jesus—makes it very clear that Jesus was more than just another religious teacher or prophet. It tells us instead that Jesus was unique—in other words, that He wasn't like any other religious leader who has ever lived. How was Jesus unique? First, He was unique in His person. He wasn't just an unusually spiritual individual. He was more than that: He was God in human flesh. Yes, He was fully man—but He was also fully God. The Bible puts it this way: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). This is what we celebrated at Christmas. Second, Jesus was unique in His purpose. Why did He come to earth? He came for one reason: to save us from our sins. As Jesus Himself said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10). He did this by becoming the final sacrifice for our sins through His death on the cross. How do I know this is true? I know it because Jesus did something no other person has ever done: He rose from the dead. I invite you to look at Jesus as He is presented in the pages of the New Testament—and then to commit your life to Him. Q: Why didn't Jesus try to escape from those who were out to get Him, instead of deliberately putting Himself at risk and ending up getting arrested and killed? If He had gone on living, He could have done a great deal of good and helped a lot more people, it seems to me. — J.H. A: Dear J.H., The reason Jesus didn't flee but allowed Himself to be arrested and killed is because He came into the world for one purpose: to become the final and complete sacrifice for our sins. You see, our greatest spiritual problem is our sin. Sin isn't just misbehaving; sin is like a deadly disease in our souls. It deceives us into thinking we don't need God and can solve our problems on our own. Sin is also a destroyer. It has destroyed our relationship with God, and it also destroys God's plan for our lives. It has also destroyed our hope of eternal life. The Bible warns us that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Don't ever underestimate the destructiveness of sin! But Jesus Christ came to break sin's hold over us. He is the only cure for our disease of sin! How is this possible? It is possible because He willingly took upon Himself the judgment and hell we deserve. We deserve to die for our sins—but on the cross all our sins were placed on Him, and He died in our place. Now we have hope—hope of forgiveness and hope of salvation. Yes, Jesus might have helped some people if He had continued living—but by His death He helps every person who believes in Him. During this Easter season may you become one of them, as you turn in faith to Christ and ask Him to come into your life. Q: I have a friend who claims Jesus wasn't the unique Son of God (as I've always believed), but that He was only one of many sons of God, and in reality we are all sons (and daughters) of God. Is she right? She's very sincere. — C.P. A: Dear C.P., I'm sure your friend is sincere—but this is not what the Bible teaches about Jesus. Nor is it what Christians have believed (and been willing to die for) across the centuries. The Gospels make it clear that Jesus was absolutely unique—and the reason is because He was the unique Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. Yes, He was fully human—but He was also fully God. Centuries before He was born, the prophets predicted that "they will call him Immanuel—which means, 'God with us'" (Matthew 1:23). Jesus Himself declared, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). He also said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). How do we know these claims are true? We know it first of all because of Jesus' character. His enemies constantly looked for something wrong in His life—but without success, for He alone was without sin. We know it also because of His power. He alone could cause a storm to cease or a dead child to come back to life—powers only God could have. We know it especially because of His resurrection, by which He conquered death and hell. Yes, Jesus was the unique Son of God—but why is it important? The reason is because only a divine Savior could save us from our sins—and He has, through His death on the cross for us. Pray for your friend, that she will realize what Jesus has done for her, and then turn in faith and commit her life to Him. Q: I think Jesus was one of the greatest men who ever lived—in fact, probably the greatest. But why did people decide centuries ago to believe that Jesus also was God? I can agree that He was a great man, but not God. — M.H. A: Dear M.H., This conviction goes all the way back to Jesus' first disciples, who believed that He wasn't just another man but He was God in human flesh. Thomas, for example, didn't believe Jesus had come back from the dead, but once he saw the risen Christ, he immediately exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)—thus affirming Jesus' divine nature. Why did they believe Jesus was God and not just a man? One reason is because this is what Jesus repeatedly taught about Himself. On one occasion, He declared, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). Another time, He stated, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). Even some of his enemies understood that this was His claim, since "he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God" (John 5:18). Those first disciples also believed Jesus was divine because of what He did. They witnessed His miracles, and they saw Him exercise authority over the forces of nature. Most of all, they were witnesses to the greatest miracle: His resurrection from the dead, which confirmed His claims. Why is this important? For one reason: Only a divine Savior could save us from our sins. We cannot save ourselves, nor can anyone else save us. But Christ can—and He did, through His death on the cross for us. Open your heart to Him today, for He alone is "the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6). Q: Why was Jesus put to death? From what I can tell, He was very popular with most people in His day, yet some people apparently hated Him and wanted to do away with Him. Why was that? It doesn't make any sense to me. — K.McD. A: Dear K.McD., No, it doesn't make sense—but then evil seldom does. After all, sin and evil never result in anything good, so why do them? When we do evil, we end up not only hurting others but also hurting ourselves—and yet we keep on doing it. Why did some turn their backs on Jesus and refuse to believe in Him, in spite of His goodness? One reason was probably jealousy; they resented all the attention and praise He was receiving. Others were afraid they would lose their positions of leadership if Jesus became more popular, fearing the people might make Him a king (although He had no desire to become a political leader). Still others refused to believe what He was teaching because they weren't open to anything new. Ultimately, however, the real reason was the stubbornness of the human heart. Down inside, we each want to run our own lives, and it's hard for us to admit we need God. Even when we know the truth, we often refuse to accept it. The Bible bluntly says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). People come up with all kinds of reasons to reject Christ; they did then, and they do today. Be sure you aren't like them! Instead, by a simple act of faith open your heart to Christ and commit your life to Him. The Bible's promise is true: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Acts 2:21). Q: I have a friend who recently read a novel that recounts a lot of stories about Jesus that aren't in the Bible. The problem is, my friend wants to believe this novel instead of the Bible, and he says Christians are just covering up the real story about Jesus. What can I say to him? — K.W. A: Dear K.W., The book to which you are referring is a work of fiction—and that needs to be kept in mind. To base your beliefs on something that is openly fictional is simply not wise or rational. In other words, a book like this is only the product of an author's imagination, and I know of no reputable Bible scholar or historian (Christian or non-Christian) who would agree with its claims about Jesus or take it seriously. There simply is no historical evidence to support its alleged "discoveries" about Jesus, nor is there any evidence at all that Christians have "covered up" the truth about Jesus. If anything, your friend is the one covering up the truth by refusing to take seriously the only reliable records we have about Jesus: the books of the New Testament. As I read your letter I couldn't help but think of Paul's description of the last days before Christ's return, when people "will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" (2 Timothy 4:4). Pray for your friend, that he will face his own spiritual need and turn to Jesus Christ. In addition, ask God to help you be a "living sermon" of Christ's love to your friend, both by your words and by the way you live. Only Christ can bring us the forgiveness we need, and only He can change our hearts. Q: What do you think Jesus was like when He was a boy? Was He like other boys, running and playing and so forth? And do you think He knew He was God's Son then, or did it only come to Him later? I've always been curious about this. — T.N. A: Dear T.N., The Bible doesn't give us many details about Jesus' boyhood—although there isn't any reason to think He didn't run and play like other boys His age. The Bible simply says that as a boy "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). Those words indicate that even as a young boy Jesus knew He was unique, and was set apart by God for a special mission. The only glimpse the Bible gives us of Jesus' boyhood years confirms this. Mary and Joseph were devout people, and every year they journeyed to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the major religious feasts. Jesus always went with them—but once, when He was 12, He got separated from them, and they only found Him several days later. Where was He? They found Him in the Temple, surrounded by religious teachers and scholars and "listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers" (Luke 2:46-47). Afterward He told Mary and Joseph, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49). He already knew that God was His Father and He was God's Son, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. The most important truth about Jesus, however, is this: He grew up and willingly went to the cross for us. He loves us that much! Have you responded to His love by giving your life to Him? Q: We had some people come to the door the other day, and they showed us from their Bible how churches have misled people through the centuries by claiming that Jesus was divine. What do you have to say about this? They said they thought you were a sincere person but that you were still wrong. — R.Q. A: Dear R.Q., I'm sure your visitors were sincere but I urge you to examine their claims very carefully. Sincerity is not the test of truth; only God's Word is our final authority. You see, it's significant that you mention they showed you these things from "their Bible." The reason is because this group you mention has been forced to make its own "translation" of the Bible to support their ideas—a "translation" which any scholar of the Bible's original languages would tell you distorts the Bible's clear meaning. In my view, this is a serious matter; the Bible itself warns us against adding to its words or twisting their true meaning (see Revelation 22:18). The Bible is clear: Jesus Christ alone was God in human flesh, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. He wasn't just a godly man; He was God in human flesh—fully God and yet also fully man. The Bible says, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). Why is this important? The reason is because we cannot save ourselves. No matter how good we are, we will never be good enough, because God's standard is perfection. That is why we need a Savior—and God Himself provided the Savior we need by sending His only Son into the world to die for us. Don't go down a false road, but by faith turn to Christ and open your heart to Him. Q: I grew up in a Christian home, but over the years I drifted away from it and don't believe in God at all now. My question is this: Once a person is a convinced atheist, is there any hope of becoming a believer again? I don't see how it's possible, but I'd be interested in your answer. — A.McD. A: Dear A.McD., Yes, of course it's possible for a convinced atheist to become a believer—if they aren't close-minded. Unfortunately, in my experience many convinced atheists don't have an open mind, and aren't really willing to reexamine the evidence honestly and fairly. I hope that won't be the case with you. I could, of course, give you a number of reasons why it makes sense to believe in God; you probably already know them. But the most important thing I can do is urge you to look at Jesus Christ—not through the "lens" of your past experiences, but through the "lens" of the New Testament. Before you begin reading it, I challenge you to pray something like this: "God, I don't even know if You exist—but if You do, show Yourself to me." God will answer that prayer. Why do I urge you to look at Christ? The reason is because He made a very startling claim about Himself: He said He was God in human flesh. "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find" (Matthew 7:7). Don't let anything keep you from seeking God, for He loves you, and coming to know Him will be the greatest discovery you will ever make. Q: Where did the idea come from that Jesus would return to earth some day? I know it's popular in some circles but I never heard it taught in the church where I grew up and wonder where it came from. — Mrs. K.O'C. A: Dear Mrs. K.O'C., Jesus Himself repeatedly taught that He would return to earth someday to establish His rule over all creation. He told His disciples, "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory" (Mark 13:26). This is why the various Christian churches have always believed this (even if—like your church—they haven't always emphasized it). The first Christians stressed it; the Apostle Paul called it "the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Every major church doctrinal statement or confession of faith since then has included this truth. Why is Christ's second coming important? First, it gives us hope—hope that someday all the evil and injustice of this world will be destroyed. The Bible says, "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13). The second coming of Christ, however, is important for another reason: It warns us that someday this world as we know it will suddenly come to an end, and it will be too late to repent and turn to God. Are you ready for that day when you will stand before God—either because of death or because of Christ's return? You can be, by turning to Christ in repentance and faith and committing your life to Him today. Q: Where did the belief come from that Jesus might return to earth some day? I know it's a popular idea in some circles, and I even read a novel about it a few months ago. But I never heard about it in my church when I was growing up, and I've wondered where it came from. — Mrs. K.O'C. A: Dear Mrs. K.O'C., The belief that Jesus would come back to earth someday actually came from Jesus Himself. He promised that one day the whole earth "will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30). Every Christian church affirms this truth (although some may not emphasize it). How different His second coming will be from His first! During this Christmas season, we remember how humble Jesus' birth was: born in a stable to poor parents, who lived in an obscure village in an insignificant part of the Roman Empire. But when Christ comes again, all the earth will see His divine glory. We can't fully imagine what that day will be like, for it will be far greater than anything we have ever experienced. His second coming will be different also because of its purpose. When Christ came to earth slightly over 2,000 years ago, He came for one reason: to become the final and complete sacrifice for our sins by His death on the cross. But when He comes again He will establish His Kingdom of righteousness over all the earth. Are you ready for that day? Or do you fear it, not sure if you will be saved from God's judgment? You can be ready, by turning to Christ and trusting Him alone for your salvation. Open your heart to Christ today. Q: Like you, I believe that Jesus is going to return to earth some day. But how do you know He hasn't already come? Maybe He's already living as a small boy in Africa or Asia someplace, or something like that. — M.M. A: Dear M.M., Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated Christmas, which commemorates Jesus' birth in the little town of Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. And when we celebrated it, we remembered how He was born in very humble circumstances: in a stable, with a feeding trough for a cradle. Almost no one paid any attention to His birth. But Jesus' second coming will be far different! Instead of being born in obscurity, He will come again with glory and power, accompanied by all the angels of Heaven. Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory" (Matthew 25:31). When He comes again, His true identity as the Son of God and the King of kings will be fully revealed. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that when He comes the whole earth will behold Him—instantly and completely. The Bible says, "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him" (Revelation 1:7). For those who have believed in Him it will be a glorious day—but for those who have refused to believe in Him, it will be a day of mourning. For them it will be too late. Yes, someday Christ will return. We can barely imagine what it will be like, for it will be far more glorious than anything we can picture. But are you ready for that day? You can be, by giving your life to Christ and becoming His follower today. Q: How do you know Jesus was really divine? I work in a state mental hospital, and we have several people here who think they are God. What's the difference between them and Jesus? I'm sure you are a sincere person, but as you can tell, I'm fairly cynical about religion. — N.S. A: Dear N.S., I sincerely hope you won't turn your back on God simply because some people are confused about Him (or about themselves). You don't refuse to believe in the law just because you hear about a corrupt judge, nor should you refuse to believe in God just because you meet someone who is confused about Him. Anyone can claim to be God, but you rightly put your finger on the real issue: What evidence is there to support their claim? The answer is clear: None. But Jesus Christ was different, and the reason is because He not only claimed to be God, but His whole life was a witness to its truth. Because of that, He alone could truthfully say, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). What evidence is there for Jesus' divinity? The first is that of His sinless life—something only God could do. The Bible says Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Then there is the evidence of His miracles—miracles that demonstrated the power of God. But the final proof of Jesus' divine nature was His resurrection from the dead. Anyone could claim to be the Son of God, but only Christ proved it by coming back from the grave—an event witnessed by hundreds. Who was Jesus Christ? He was God in human flesh—and He came into this world for one reason: to save us from our sins. Why not open your heart to Him today? Q: What did Jesus look like? I've always had a mental picture of Him, drawn I guess from the pictures I saw when I was a kid in Sunday School. But does the Bible give us any description of Him? — Mrs. B.Y. A: Dear Mrs. B.Y., No, the Bible doesn't tell us what Jesus looked like, nor do we have any paintings or other images from His time that portray Him. Later artists often tried to imagine what He must have looked like (either as a baby or as an adult), but they are simply that—the product of the artist's imagination. Jesus, however, must have been a person who drew people to Himself, both by His righteousness and by His compassion. When people looked in His face they must have sensed God's love—and also Jesus' divine authority. When some of His enemies tried to get Him to contradict Himself or say something wrong, they eventually gave up in defeat, and we read that "from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions" (Matthew 22:46). Both His wisdom and His physical boldness must have confounded His opponents. I suspect one reason the Bible doesn't tell us what Jesus looked like is because if it did, some might try to manufacture idols of Him, and people would end up worshiping them instead of Christ. But that would be wrong, for the Bible is clear: "You shall not make for yourself an idol" (Exodus 20:4). Although we don't know what Jesus looked like, we do know who He was—and that's the important thing. He was God in human flesh, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. Does Christ live in your heart? If not, give your life to Him today. Q: We've been attending a church recently that always uses an ancient statement of belief (the Apostles' Creed) in its services. One line in it says something about Jesus descending into Hell after His death, and this confuses me. Why didn't He go to heaven after His death? — Mrs. G.F. A: Dear Mrs. G.F., I can understand your confusion; after all, the Bible tells us that Jesus was perfect and without sin. If anyone could enter heaven at death, surely it would have been Him! The Bible says Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). But listen: When Jesus died on the cross, all our sins were placed upon Him. In other words, although He was sinless in Himself, in God's eyes He became a "sinner"—because our sins were transferred to Him. Now He could no longer enter heaven—not until He had endured God's judgment on sin. You see, we deserve to die for our sins—but Christ died in our place. We deserve to be judged for our sins and go to Hell because of them—but Christ took upon Himself our judgment and our Hell. The Bible says, "God made him who had no sin to be (or become) sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Do you want to know how much God loves you? Then look at Christ and what He did for you. He loves you so much that He was willing to take upon Himself the Hell you and I deserve. Have you responded to His love? If you have never done so, stop right now and thank God for His great love for you—a love so great that Christ was willing to undergo death and Hell for you. Q: I have a friend who says that over the centuries the organized church suppressed what Jesus taught, and that what we have in our Bibles today isn't the full story about Jesus (or even the right story). I don't know where he gets this, but is there any truth to it? — J.D. A: Dear J.D., No, there is no truth to this. Recently, some popular novels have claimed this, but they have no basis in fact, and they should be taken only for what they are: fiction. It is true that during the first few centuries after Christ some pagan philosophers tried to blend Christianity with their pagan beliefs—but Christians strongly rejected their efforts. Interestingly, the Roman officials who persecuted the early Christians understood the difference between Christianity and these pagan beliefs; those philosophers were never persecuted, while Christians were. Never forget: Christ alone was God in human form, and He alone is the divine Savior sent into the world to save us from our sins. The Bible says, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). Because of this, He cannot be made part of any philosophy or system that denies His uniqueness. Jesus declared, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). The proof of this is that He rose again from the dead. The real issue, however, is this: What does Jesus Christ mean to you? Have you faced your own need for God's forgiveness, and are you trusting Christ alone for your salvation? Don't turn away from Him, but by faith commit your life to Him today. Q: If Jesus was really God (as I understand you Christians believe), how could He die? I thought God is supposed to be eternal and can't die. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, because I'd really like to find out more about your beliefs. I come from a country that is not Christian. — R.V. A: Dear R.V., I'm thankful you are interested in finding out what Christians believe, and I hope you'll continue to do so. One way to do this is to read the Bible, which tells us about God and how He wants us to live. I suggest you begin in that part of the Bible called the Gospels, because they tell us about Jesus, who is the center and foundation of our faith. You are right: God is eternal and He can never die (i.e., cease to exist). This is why we can trust Him and put our lives into His hands. The Bible says, "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). And you also are right in saying that Christians believe Jesus was God. The Bible tells us He wasn't just a saintly person or a great religious teacher; it tells us that He was God in human flesh. This is a mystery we can't fully understand, but Jesus repeatedly taught, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). The proof is that He rose again from the dead. But when Jesus died on the cross, He didn't cease to exist—nor do we when we die. Instead, He entered eternity, and went into the heavenly realms to prepare a place for us (see John 14:2-3). Why did He die? He did it for one reason: to become the final sacrifice for our sins, so we could be cleansed from sin and be ready for heaven. May you discover this truth for yourself. Q: I know you won't get this until Christmas is long past, but I've always been puzzled by what the Bible says about the virgin birth of Jesus. People in those days surely knew that things like that don't ever happen. Why did they claim it did? — A.A. A: Dear A.A., The first Christians claimed Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary for a very good reason: They were absolutely convinced that it actually happened. Remember, Mary expressed disbelief when the angel first told her what was about to happen. And yet the Bible's witness is clear: "The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you. ... So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God'" (Luke 1:35). Jesus' first followers knew His mother and His immediate family well, because they often followed Him from place to place. If the virgin birth was only a myth, those disciples would have known it, and neither they nor Mary would have allowed it to be proclaimed. It's significant that the most thorough Gospel account of the virgin birth was written by Luke, who was a medical doctor. If anyone knew the impossibility of a virgin birth it was Luke—and yet, after careful research, he knew it was a fact. The God who was powerful enough to create the whole universe also was powerful enough to bring Jesus into the world without a human father. You will only understand the virgin birth of Jesus when you understand who He was: the divine Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. His miraculous birth was a sign, pointing the way to our salvation. Why not put your life into His hands? Q: Why did the crowds turn against Jesus during the last few days of His life? They seemed to welcome Him when He came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, didn't they? What happened to change their minds? — Mrs. J.McM. A: Dear Mrs. J.McM., Yes, the crowds did welcome Jesus when He entered Jerusalem less than a week before His death—and yes, they did turn against Him only a few days later. The Bible says they shouted to Pilate (the Roman governor), "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" (John 19:15). What happened to change their minds? One reason was disappointment; many expected Jesus would declare Himself to be their king, and would lead a revolt against the Romans who were occupying the Jewish nation. In other words, they hoped Jesus would become a political leader. But Jesus didn't come to set up a new political system. He came instead to change our hearts and save us from our sins by His death and resurrection. He declared during that last week, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight. ... My kingdom is from another place" (John 18:36). This deeply disappointed those who hoped He would throw out the hated Roman occupiers. But the main reason the crowds turned against Jesus was because their hearts had grown spiritually cold. Jesus had been with them three years, performing miracles and teaching them the truth about God. What more evidence did they need that He was the Savior? And yet they rejected Him. Don't let this be true of you, but during this holy season turn your life over to Him. Q: What makes Jesus different from any other religious leader who has ever lived? I've been studying various religions, and I'm wondering what's unique about Jesus. — D.W. A: Dear D.W., By the time you read this, Easter will be only a few days away—and Easter vividly reminds us that Jesus wasn't like anyone else who ever lived. Only Jesus died and then came back to life by the power of God, never to die again. The Bible says He "was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:4). You can visit the tombs of philosophers and religious teachers of every kind across the world—but you can't visit Jesus' tomb, because He rose from the dead and is now in heaven. Someday, He will return in glory to destroy all evil and rule in perfect justice. Have you ever asked yourself why you're interested in the world's religions? I suspect it isn't just curiosity, but something more than that. I suspect instead that you are really searching for God. And I hope you won't get discouraged, but will persevere until you come to know Him. And you can know Him—because He wants us to know Him! He wants us to know Him so much that He came down and walked on this earth in the person of Jesus. Do you want to know God? Look at Jesus, for He was God in human flesh. And when you do, you also will discover that God loves you. He loves you so much that Christ was willing to die for you so you could be reconciled to God. This Easter, open your heart and life to Jesus Christ. You will never be the same. Q: I've never understood why people refer to the day that Jesus died as "Good Friday." It seems to me that Jesus' death was a great tragedy, because it brought the life of an innocent man to an end. What's so good about that? — K.F. A: Dear K.F., You're right, up to a point; Jesus was innocent of any crime, and from a human standpoint He didn't deserve to die. You also are right in saying that Jesus' death was a great tragedy—for it was. Why do Christians call the day of His death "Good Friday"? They do so because of what He accomplished for us on that day. The key is to understand who Jesus was, and why He came into the world. Jesus wasn't just another human being; He was also God in human flesh. Jesus Himself declared, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). And the reason He came into the world was to deal with the greatest problem of the human race: the problem of our sins. Jesus was perfect and without sin—but on the cross all our sins were transferred to Him, and He died in our place. We deserved to die on that cross, but Jesus took the punishment we deserve—and because He did, we can be forgiven and cleansed of all our sins. Yes, it was a tragedy Jesus had to die—and the reason He had to die was because of us. There was no other way for our sins to be forgiven, and no other way for heaven's door to be opened to us. He was willing to do this because He loves us, and He doesn't want us to spend eternity apart from Him. Open your heart to Christ today, and when you do, it truly will become your "Good Friday"! Q: A friend of mine says that Jesus didn't really die on the cross, but He was just drugged to make it look like He was dead. Then He recovered in the coolness of the tomb and went on to live in secret with His disciples. I know this isn't the traditional view, but is it possible he's right? — R.L. A: Dear R.L., No, your friend is not right—and this isn't just because Christians believe otherwise, but because what he's suggesting isn't logical. Why is this? If you stop to think about it you'll see why: Christ's death was witnessed by hundreds (if not thousands) of people. They saw the nails being hammered into His hands and feet, and they saw how the beatings and the loss of blood from His wounds weakened Him. They witnessed also His final seconds: "Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last" (Luke 23:46). The Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus also had no doubt He was truly dead. As executioners, they were very familiar with death, and when they took Jesus' body down from the cross they made sure He was not alive. They knew that if they failed to carry out the death penalty, they could be severely punished. Later, His body was tightly wrapped in strips of cloth, then laid in a guarded, cave-like tomb with a huge stone across the entrance. Only one conclusion is possible: On that first Easter, Jesus Christ rose from the dead by the power of God. And because He did, you and I have hope of eternal life. Death and Hell and Satan have been defeated! Don't let anything keep you from Christ, but open your heart and life to Him today. Q: Our teenager asked us the other day who we thought is more influential—Jesus or the latest pop star. We told him Jesus, but he said we're just out of touch because almost no one his age pays attention to Jesus. Is he right? — Mrs. R.W. A: Dear Mrs. R.W., He may be right when he says most people his age are influenced more by the latest pop star than by Jesus—but of course that isn't the whole story. After all, pop stars come and go, and what was popular last year is outdated this year. But Jesus never changes, and that's why it's far better to build our lives on Him instead of on the shifting sands of the latest fad. As the Bible says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). And in my experience, many young people today are discovering this and committing their lives to Jesus. I hope you'll also remind your son who Jesus really is. He is the Son of God, the One God sent from heaven to save us from our sins. No one else can do this for us; in fact, the latest pop craze is likely to turn us away from God, or even mock Him and His will for our lives. But when we know Christ, we know where we came from, and why we are here, and where we are going when we die. He also guides and helps us as we face life's decisions. Pray for your son, and encourage him to commit his life to Christ and learn to follow Him instead of the crowd. Jesus warned, "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it" (Matthew 7:13). May neither you nor your son make that mistake, but may you put your faith in Christ and learn to follow Him every day. Q: I know you won't get this until after Easter, but which do you think was worse for Jesus, His physical suffering or His emotional and mental suffering? I tend to think the latter, because rejection is a terrible thing to bear, and He must have been very hurt when everyone turned against Him. — Mrs. J.E. A: Dear Mrs. J.E., Jesus' physical pain was far greater than anything most of us will ever be called upon to endure; crucifixion was widely seen as the cruelest method of execution. And His emotional and mental suffering must have been just as intense. The Bible says, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering" (Isaiah 53:3). But far greater than either of these was Christ's spiritual suffering because all the sins of the world were placed on Him, and He endured the punishment and Hell we deserve. He was the divine Son of God, and from all eternity He had known nothing but unbroken fellowship with His Father. But on the cross that fellowship was broken. No wonder He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). Don't ever take lightly what it cost Jesus Christ to purchase your salvation. His physical and emotional sufferings were only indications of a far deeper suffering—the suffering of His soul for you and me. Why did He do it? He did it for one reason: because He loves us. We don't deserve it, but He loves us anyway. The Bible says, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10). Have you responded to His love by giving your life to Him? Q: I come from another country, and I am working here for my company for the next three years. Please, sir, would you tell me who Jesus is, and what a Christian is? The people I work with don't seem to be able to explain it. — R.V. A: Dear R.V., I'm thankful you want to learn about Jesus and Christianity. I hope what I say will be only a first step for you, and that you'll continue to grow in your understanding. A Christian, very simply, is a person who has decided to be a follower of Jesus Christ. As you may know, Jesus lived in the Middle East about 2,000 years ago, and after preaching and teaching for about three years, He was put on trial and executed by His enemies. The Bible (our source of information about Jesus) tells us that three days later He came back to life by the power of God, and was taken up into Heaven. Someday He will return to conquer evil and rule over everything in perfect justice and love. What sets Jesus apart from every other religious leader or philosopher? Simply this: The Bible says He was God in human flesh—completely man, but also completely God. He came to earth for one reason: to reconcile us to God. Sin had separated us from God, but Jesus (who was without sin) took all our sins upon Himself, and He died in our place. Why did He do this? The Bible says the reason is because God loves us, and He wants us to be with Him in Heaven forever. It says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). I pray that someday soon you too will become Jesus' follower, by giving your life to Him. Q: What did Jesus mean when He said somewhere that the days just before He comes again would be like the time of Noah? Does this mean God is going to judge the world by sending another flood? — P.W. A: Dear P.W., You are referring to what Jesus told His disciples about His second coming, shortly before His death. He said, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:37). He then explained that He wasn't talking about another great flood like Noah's, but on people's attitude just before it came. He said, "In the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage ... and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away" (Matthew 24:38-39). In other words, just before the flood, people were doing what they always do—eating, drinking, marrying and so forth. But in the midst of it all, they ignored Noah's warnings and deliberately turned their backs on God. They had ample warning of God's coming judgment but they refused to believe, and were swept away as a result. It will be the same, Jesus said, before He returns. Most people will ignore God's Word and go on living their lives as if God didn't even exist. But suddenly, time will run out, Christ will return—and then it will be too late. But it doesn't need to be this way! When we know Christ, we have no reason to fear the future, because we belong to Him forever. Are you ready for that day? You can be, by giving your life to Christ. Q: I know my life would be better if I were a believer but I just can't seem to get there. Every time I start to commit myself to Jesus, I begin thinking of all the questions I have and whether or not I'm strong enough to be a Christian, and I end up not doing anything. Maybe you can help me. — J.R.R. A: Dear J.R.R., Did it ever occur to you that this is exactly the way the devil wants you to act? He doesn't want you to give your life to Jesus and will do everything he can to keep you from it. And one of his most effective tricks is to make us look at ourselves rather than at Christ. As long as you focus on yourself, you will always believe you're too weak, and doubt if you are strong enough to be a Christian. You also will manage to think up all sorts of "reasons" why it doesn't make sense for you to give your life to Christ. Don't focus on yourself; focus instead on Jesus Christ and what He did for you. Do you want to know if God loves you? Look at Christ as He hung on the cross and shed His blood for you. Do you want to know if there is life beyond the grave? Look at Christ after His resurrection from the dead. He alone could say, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Why doubt any longer? And I urge you not to delay. Don't be like the official to whom the Apostle Paul spoke, who said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you" (Acts 24:25). But he never did. By a simple prayer of faith ask Christ to come into your life right now—and He will. Q: Don't you think the world would be better off if we learned to follow the teachings of Jesus? Do you think that could ever happen? — Mrs. K.R. A: Dear Mrs. K.R., Yes, we certainly would be better off if we followed Jesus' teachings and learned to treat each other the way we should. Think what a difference it would make, for example, if everyone followed Jesus' command to "Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Luke 6:31). What is the problem? Why is the world constantly torn by conflict and war—and why do our lives often turn into war zones as well? The problem isn't just that we need to be taught what is right (although there is a place for that, as every parent needs to learn). The problem is that even when we know what is right, we don't do it. The Apostle Paul put it this way from his own experience: "For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing" (Romans 7:19). In other words, our problem isn't just a lack of knowledge. Our problem is deeper than that; our problem is within our hearts. Down inside, we want to put ourselves first instead of others—and instead of God. Even when we try, we cannot root out this drive to put ourselves first. This is why our greatest need is to have our hearts changed—and that's why Jesus Christ came into the world. When we ask Him to come into our lives, He erases the past, and He comes to live within us by His Holy Spirit. From that moment on, God begins to change us from within. Has this happened in your life? It can, by turning to Christ and giving your life to Him today. Q: I just read a book that claims the real truth about Jesus was suppressed by the church, and that what we have in the Bible isn't the full story, or even the right one. It was an interesting book but it did raise some questions in my mind. Is there any truth to it? — D.T. A: Dear D.T., You can be absolutely confident that what was written in the Bible about Jesus is accurate, and its accuracy has been confirmed by scholars (both Christian and non-Christian) repeatedly over the centuries. After all, who had a stronger desire to preserve and pass along accurately the message of Jesus than the first Christians? They believed He alone was the Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. They also believed nothing was more important than obeying His command to "go and make disciples of all nations ... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). What possible motive could they have had to change Jesus' message or suppress the facts about His life? The only logical answer is: none. Instead, they diligently wrote down the record of Jesus' life and teachings (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit). Luke, for example, began his Gospel by assuring his readers that he had taken pains to be sure it was accurate: "I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning" (Luke 1:3). Don't let anything shake your confidence in what God has given us in His Word, the Bible. Most of all, don't let anything shake your confidence in Jesus Christ, who alone came down from heaven to save us from our sins. Q: If Jesus willingly came into the world to die for our sins, then why did He try to avoid the cross and ask God to open up some other way? For that matter, why didn't God simply forgive us and not bother with the cross? — M.S.D. A: Dear M.S.D., You are probably thinking of Jesus' agony just before His arrest and trial. He knew what was about to happen, and He went to a secluded place (the Garden of Gethsemane) to pray. The Bible says He was in anguish—so much so that "his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:44). His prayer was simple: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me" (Matthew 26:39). You and I can barely understand the horror and suffering Jesus faced as He went to the cross. Not only would He endure terrible physical suffering (for crucifixion was an agonizing way to die), but ahead of Him was the terror of Hell itself. He was sinless and pure—but on the cross all our sins were placed on Him, and He endured the death and Hell we deserve. He who was holy and pure, and had never been separated from His Father, now would bear our sins and be separated from God. No wonder He asked God if there was any other way for our salvation to be won! But there was no other way. God is holy and just—and because He is, sin must be punished. But God also loves us—and because He does, His Son willingly came into the world to take our punishment for us. The Bible says, "He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10). Have you responded to His love for you? Open your heart to Christ, and then ask Him to help you tell others about His love. Q: I know God forgave my sins when I asked Jesus to come into my life a few months ago, but what happens if I sin again? I'm trying to stay on the right path, but if I commit a sin in the future, does this mean I'm no longer saved? I worry about this. — D.McD. A: Dear D.McD., The devil's primary goal is to keep us away from Christ—but if we do give our lives to Him, the devil will still try to fill us with doubt and fear. And one of his oldest tricks is to get us to doubt our salvation. The Bible is clear: Once we truly give our lives to Jesus Christ and trust Him alone for our salvation, God cleanses us from all our sins and makes us members of His family forever. The Bible says, "The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). If we lost our salvation every time we sinned, then we'd lose our salvation every day—because we sin every day. We may not even be aware of our sins, but an impure thought or an unkind word is sin in God's eyes. The key is to remember this: Your salvation does not depend on you, but on Christ. If it depended on you, you could never be saved, because you are never good enough. But your salvation depends solely on Christ and what He did for you on the cross. Why not pause right now and thank Him for being willing to die for you? God loves you that much! Sin is still serious, however; when we sin, we hurt our fellowship with God. But we are still His children if we know Christ, and nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39). Q: Lots of great religious leaders have been very spiritual and saintly (almost otherworldly, you could say), but what was so different about Jesus? — G.R. A: Dear G.R., The Bible says one thing set Jesus apart from every other person who has ever lived: He was both fully God and fully man. The Bible says, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). In other words, Jesus wasn't just a godly person who possessed an extra measure of spirituality. Nor was He simply a great religious teacher who had unusual insight into God's will. Nor was He only someone with special spiritual powers who could do miracles. He was more than these—for He was God in human form. Think of it: Twenty centuries ago, the holy God of the universe stooped down, entered this sinful world, and became a human being! Why did He do this? One reason is so we could know what God is like. The Bible says, "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known" (John 1:18, TNIV). And what do we learn about God when we look at Jesus? We see God's love—a love so strong, Christ was willing to go to the cross for us. We also see God's power over evil, for by His resurrection from the dead, Christ conquered sin and death and Hell and Satan. But Christ also came to offer us the gift of eternal life. Death is not the end, for beyond is the joy of heaven for all who belong to Him. Have you responded to His love by opening your heart and life to Christ? Don't let another day go by without Him, but by faith commit your life to Him today. |