The Bible says:
‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’
John 10.10 (NIV)
People sometimes think that Christians only ever talk about sin, punishment, guilt and shame. But actually Jesus’ mission didn’t end on the cross. Jesus the Son of God really, actually died on the cross; if the Romans were good at anything, it was killing and making sure people were dead.
But, three days later Jesus’ closest friends saw him, talked and ate with him, touched the wounds in his hands and side, threw their arms around him in amazement and wonder. But if Jesus came to pay the price for our sin, why did he rise to life on the third day?
The clue is in Jesus’ own words: ‘I have come that they (you) may have life, and have it to the full: life in all its fulness, abundant life.’ Yes Christians about sin and shame – but only because they’re real, and because Jesus came to wipe it that away, to give us a fresh start, a new life, set free from the shackles of the past. That’s why we call it the ‘gospel’, which means ‘good news’.
And there is enough of that new life for every single person who has ever lived, and ever will. That includes you. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God’s way of saying, ‘I love you.’
That is the most important thing you could ever hear, and it will change your life for ever, and for the better, if you take it to heart and follow him. So please, if you would like to know more, connect with someone at our church. We would love to meet you and talk to you about Jesus, and help you come to know him for yourself, as we do.