WHY JESUS?
DO YOU KNOW JESUS YET? WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST HIM?
There are many religions in the world but only Jesus has risen from the dead. His name is the only name we can trust to save us, in this life and the next. Paul said in Acts 17, while discussing the altar to the “unknown God” there may be partial truths in other faiths that actually point to Jesus, such as the “golden rule”. However, The founder of every other religion died and stayed dead.
I can understand that Jesus being the only way, may sound judgmental or exclusionary to the modern mind, but I would rather share the truth than give people a less offensive lie or a false assurance.
I believe the God of the Bible is objectively real and just as he proved himself in Elijah’s day over the prophets of Baal that He is well able today to show He is real and true against any and all other religions.
Only Jesus rose from the dead. Both the gospel and the Bible are a reliable witness. 2 Tim 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed Acts 4:12 - Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
Have you ever heard of the Christian word “gospel”? Gospel is just a church word that means good news. It can refer to the 4 gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which describe Jesus life, death and resurrection. The gospel is also the central message of Christianity and the doorway to a personal relationship with God today.
It is in fact an invitation from the God would created heaven and earth to know Him personally, receive forgiveness and be invited into a love story that spans from now and into eternity. There are several different ways the gospel is presented in the Bible. My favorite way to share the gospel is through the concepts of “Creation”, “Fall”. “Redemption”, “Call”.
One gospel presentation from Acts 17:24, Paul begins the gospel message with sharing that God himself is the creator. He writes, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. [CREATION]
In Paul’s letter to Titus, he doesn’t start out with the creation story but he has the other 3 gospel elements of Fall, Redemption, and Call.
One expression is from Titus 3:3-8 - At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. [FALL]
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. [REDEMPTION]
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. [CALL].
THE GOSPEL
So, let’s go deep together into the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ through the lens of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Call. At the end, there will be an opportunity for your to pray to respond to the gospel and receive Jesus Christ as savior. Also, I share my testimony and video testimonies of people finding Jesus from almost every possible background. Let’s dive in!
1. CREATION - “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen 1:1) The beauty in creation and in the world is not accidental it is the masterpiece of a God of great wisdom and awesome power. One of my favorite TV shows is the BBC Planet Earth series because it shows the absolute beauty and grandeur of the world God created.
One of the most amazing Biblical truths is that God created the heavens and earth. The Bible is clear that the world is not an accident that happened via evolution or some natural process but with an intelligent designer, a loving and personal God who created the world. The Bible describes creation as occurring in six, 24 hour days with morning and evening each day.
God made everything from the jungles of the amazon rainforest to the great plains of America, and the mighty mountains of the Swiss Alps, and every creature and plant that lives there. It didn’t take God millions of years to do it or use progressive evolution. False religions like the ancient Babylonian ones believed that it took God 6,000 years to make everything because they thought the earth was very old and couldn’t conceive of any God powerful enough to create the world in a short time. However, the Bible speaks that God is so powerful that it took him just 6 days.
When my pastor gave me a book on creation science and I saw strong scientific evidence that evolution was not true, but that the Bible’s account of Christian was true, and science itself suggested “intelligent design” it was for me a first step to trusting that everything in the Bible was also true, inspired, and God breathed. The Genesis account is not a myth, but in fact a true story. Some Christians disagree about a young earth and 6 day creation, and it is not necessary for salvation to hold this view on creation, but I personally hold to an awesome God made everything exactly how the book of Genesis describes.
After creating the heavens, earth and every plant and animal the crown jewel of God’s creation was humanity. Instead of speaking humanity into existence like God did everything else, he formed Adam & Eve by his own hands and made humanity in His own image and likeness. You are an original. You are not an accident. God didn’t create any person as a failure, a mistake, a loser, or a nobody. The value of the painting is determined by the artist. There is no artist more accomplished than God. Da Vinci and Van Gogh can’t hold a candle to Him.
Since God created you, You have great inherent value as an image bearer. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27) The Bible says you were “made in the image of God”. This is something you can look in the mirror and declare “I am made in the image of God, and in Jesus I am very good again”.
Also, your gender is not an accident, but its part of God’s special design and plan for you. Nobody is born in the wrong body. “Male and female he created them”. The Bible teaches plainly there are only 2 genders. Any other gender ideology is demonic.
Jeremiah 29:11 - “ For I know the plans that I am planning concerning you,' declares Yahweh, 'plans for prosperity and not for harm, to give to you a future and a hope”
The Bible is clear that there is a reason for you being alive and a specific plan for your life.
Colossians 1:27 says, “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
When I read this verse I envision a beautiful cathedral with many stained glass windows. The light of Christ shining through my life will look different like the different colors and scenes from different stained glass windows, but as we surrender our story to God’s story His same light and glory will be known through our lives.
2. FALL - God created a world with no sin or death or problems so to speak of. When Adam & Eve sinned against God by eating of the forbidden fruit and then lying and blaming about it, there were 3 relationships broken in that moment. The covenant relationship between humanity and God was broken, the relationship between people and other people was broken, and even the relationship between humanity and the earth was broken. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
Greek Orthodox Icon depicting the Fall of Humanity and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden
After Adam & Eve sinned, they turned on each other [relational brokenness between people], they were expelled from the garden of Eden and the tree of life [relational separation from God]. Finally, Thorns and thistles grew up, signifying the powerful affects of the curse, which meant a broken relationship between humanity and the earth. The very ground beneath their feet, that they had been ordained by God to steward, was affected by their broken relationship with God their creator. [brokenness between humanity and creation]
They would no longer be eternal or live forever but would experience physical death and be vulnerable to diseases which would lead to their deaths. Romans 6:23 - “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” After death they would face judgment.
Though it is unpopular to discuss “Hell” it is in fact a real place and Jesus talked about it. Matthew 25:41,46 - Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” The Bible is clear, Hell was not originally created for people, but as a place to torment the devil and demons in eternity, however on the judgment day some will unfortunately also go there. There will be a great judgment seat of Christ where he judges all people.
If you had an impending court date, you would be wise to know the terms of the judgment. Many people might say, “I’m a good person, I don’t need a savior. Surely I will get to heaven on my own merit.” However. Romans 3:10, says “As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one”. If I brought that excuse to even a local traffic court, the judge will say, "You may be a good person but you still ran that red light”, and you are still responsible for the consequences. The Bible talks about the 10 commandments as one picture of God’s moral law we are bound to keep. In Matthew 5-7 Jesus famous sermon on the mount, he takes it a step further, calling people beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of it.
I used to feel mad at God since it seemed he had so many rules. However, I came to realize that God’s law is His instruction manual for us. When our microwave broke, we purchased a new one. The manufacturer put cautions in the instruction manual to protect people. We know if we microwave metal objects it’s extremely dangerous. So God is not trying to ruin our lives or spoil our fun. Actually, His law is a pathway for people to be their absolute happiest and most thriving. However, it is impossible by our own willpower and determination to obey the law perfectly or to live God’s way.
James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all. Romans 3:20 - Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8
So in summary, every person has broken God’s holy law and is in need of a rescue.
When the Fall occurred the affects of sin were not only personal, but spread to culture and also the spiritual realm, so culture also needs a rescue.
The combined influence of sin in mankind in culture is referred to the Bible as “the world” I John 1:15-16 - “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
The fall of mankind was also partially instigated by a previous fall in the spirit realm of the devil, Satan or Lucifer, who led a rebellion of angels (Rev 12:9) and tempted Adam & Eve. Once fallen they became demons. As we understand through both the creation story (devil possessed the serpent), King Saul in the Old Testament, and Jesus ministry (demons entered the pigs and oppressed people), demons can possess and oppress both people and animals.
God original command to Adam & Eve to “subdue the earth”, Part of that was bringing victory over the rebellion of the devil and order to creation. Unfortunately instead of “subduing” influences against God in the garden exemplified by the serpent, they gave away their authority to the devil.
A savior or redeemer would need to to come to not just restore the broken relationships caused by the fall but also to re-establish God’s Kingdom, undo the fall’s affects on individuals and cultures, defeat death, and the devil and restore His way of life. The early church fathers described Jesus victory over sin, death and the devil “Christus victor”, or Christ who won the victory.
The demon possessed man of the Gadarenes. Over centuries, the devil progressed from possessing animals like the serpent in the garden to actually possessing and oppressing God’s ultimate creation, some people who were made in the image of God, yet had rejected God and were therefore outside of His protection. Not everyone who doesn’t know Jesus is possessed or oppressed, but there are doorways where people can be possessed or oppressed by the devil, such as involvement with the “occult”, “hatred/unforgiveness”, “fear”, or “sexual sin”.
3. REDEMPTION-
Even in that moment of the Fall in the garden, God made the promise of a savior who would be the seed of the woman (an unusual phrase that prophesied the virgin birth) who would redeem them in Gen 3:15 and “crush the serpent” who had deceived them.
The virgin birth of Jesus as shown in the 2006 film Nativity Story.
For thousands of years, there were more prophecies of the coming Savior. Isa 9:6 - For to us a child has come, to us a son is given; and the government has been placed in his hands; and he has been named Wise Guide, Strong God, Father for ever, Prince of Peace.
Roughly 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ (Anointed One/Messiah), Yeshua Hamashiach (Hebrew name of Jesus) was born of the virgin Mary and fulfilled every single one of the messianic prophecies, taught about the Kingdom of God, and brought the Kingdom of God’s influence.
Jesus healing the man born blind
Jesus taught about God’s Kingdom and the New Covenant he was ushering in.
Jesus teaches the people on the sermon on the mount Matthew 5-7
Jesus turned water into wine, mulitplied bread and food to feed vast crowds of 5000 people multiple times. He revealed God’s power over above science and earthly limitations and as a provider for all mankind. Jesus healed the sick (reversing the affects of the fall).
Jesus casting out demons
People who did evil things and had allegiance to the devil were oppressed so, Jesus cast out demons from those who were oppressed to undo the affects of the fall. Death was not God’s plan so Jesus raised the dead (especially those who died young)
Mark 5:35, 41, 42 - While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore? 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.
Jesus performed mighty miracles and died on the cross as a substitute in our place as an atoning sacrifice for sin. He perfectly fuliflled the law on our behalf. Where Adam & Eve failed to live a perfect life, Jesus succeeded. Because He is fully man his perfect life and sacrifice applies to us. Because He is also fully God, he was enabled to live a perfect life. I John 2:2 - He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
2 Corinthians 5:14 - For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
Jesus death paid the penalty of sinning against a holy God, absorbing God’s just punishment against every sin and broken law mankind ever made, restoring our relationship with God, healing divisions between people, and even removing the curse from the Earth where his Kingdom comes, and then rising from the dead on the third day to conquer the power of death and the devil.
I Corinthians 5:20-22 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Jesus work as a savior has made a way for a restoration of relationship with God in this life, not just for a future heaven. By His power, He breaks division between people, and where people receive Him and turn to Him, even the land itself is healed.
Salvation is freely available to anyone who would turn from evil (repentance) where we have violated God’s just law and turn back to Him. Rom 5:12,15 - For this reason, as through one man sin came into the world, and death because of sin, and so death came to all men, because all have done evil… But the free giving of God is not like the wrongdoing of man. For if, by the wrongdoing of one man death came to numbers of men, much more did the grace of God, and the free giving by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, come to men.
Salvation is not earned or rewarded, but 100% a free gift of God. Nobody makes it to heaven by their own piety or good works, only by receiving Jesus.
Gal 2:16 - Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[d] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
However, despite forgiveness being available to all, it is not automatically received. It must be received individually. Where are you currently at with your relationship with God? Have you responded to the gospel?
Jesus is not looking for converts who just prayed a prayer, but true disciples who will follow Him.
4. CALL - When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior and the relationship with the God of universe, we aren’t meant to just wait around to live like the world and just die and go to heaven someday. God actually has a call and purpose for our lives in the here and now.
The first step is to find that purpose out is to pray a prayer of repentance/turning and then getting baptized in water.
Mark 16:16 - “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
When Jesus called his disciples he would say, “Come and follow me”. “Turn from your sins”, “Believe and be baptized”. Following Jesus means renouncing the devil, turning away from things in our life that are against God’s law and will, aligning our goals with His goals.
After that God calls us to live out our faith in a vibrant church community. Acts 2:42-47 - They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles… Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Fellowship between believers.
The early church didn’t just go to one 1 hour church service a week, or practice solitary prayer or meditation alone fully isolated from community. Instead, they had such hunger for God that they met “every day” both in homes and in the temple (church building). They also broke bread, sharing meals together and also taking communion, Jesus body and blood, remembering Jesus death and resurrection. They also studied the apostle’s teaching (the Bible) together. Finally, there was a culture of the miraculous. “Many signs and wonders” occurred both through apostles and even non-apostles like Stephen.
Luke 22:19-20 - And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a]
Lately, with the rise of the internet and especially the Covid pandemic, many believers have stopped going to church or only do “online church”. This is not a healthy longterm solution or God’s plan for anyone. I would strongly urge anyone reading this to join a church and also attend at least 2x a week if possible (not only a Sunday service).
It is impossible to follow Jesus disconnected from a regular church community. The Bible in 1 Corinthians 12 talks about believers as part of a body. The letter of 1 Peter and church fathers talk about Noah’s ark in the Old Testament as a symbol of the church, as a safe vessel to bring people through this life against all obstacles. Using both of these examples it is clear that a body part cut off on its own will not survive. Neither, will someone trying to tread water in the ocean on their own make it.
Icon of the church as a boat, surviving assaults from all enemies from the physical and spiritual boat.
God has a unique calling for people that we can discover through prayer and taking risks of faith. The 12 Apostles brought the gospel of Jesus to the known world. Daniel & Esther in the Old Testament brought God’s plans and purposes in the political realm of nations. Luke was a doctor and also used his writing gift as a witness for Jesus. Paul was a teacher who taught God’s people. King Solomon studied about arts and culture and empowered by God’s wisdom, even his table settings impressed the Queen of Ethiopia. King David wrote songs and poems.
If you read the Bible and study church history there are countless ways God has walked with His sons and daughters in friendship to bring His purposes to Earth. We all are all called to be His witnesses. But the way we do that can be unique. Saying Yes and receiving Jesus is just the beginning to an exciting journey with Him. It will not always be easy and hard times and persecution come because we are in a fallen world, but saying Yes to God is the beginning, of being born again to a new exciting purpose and life journey.
The Healing of the Crippled man by Peter at the Beautiful Gate from Acts 3.
John 14:12 - Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.
Mark 16:17 - And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
As believers of Jesus we continue His ministry today. The Biblical gospel is both of show and tell. We tell people the truth about God and the gospel, and demonstrate God’s love by His power in praying for the sick, casting out demons, as well as compassion and generosity to those who need it in practical ways, seeing His Kingdom come and His will be done “on Earth as it is in Heaven”.
How Will You Respond to the Gospel?
RESPONSE - Today is a great day to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Bible says, '“For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 5:6.
We don’t know how much time we have left on this Earth so there is no good reason to delay getting right with God. Do you know for certain that if you died today, would you be in heaven or hell? You can know for sure.
If you feel God tugging at your heart to receive Jesus or re-dedicate your life to Him, I would urge you to pray the following prayer along with anything else that’s in your heart to pray, and afterwards pray and ask God to guide you to a faithful church community where you can be baptized in water (if you haven’t been yet) and grow in faith.
Our salvation prayer also covers aspects of praying for Jesus to heal and set us free from evil and the evil one.
Maybe you are already saved but want to re-dedicate your life to the Lord after a season of sin or being away from him. I would urge you to pray this prayer.
Note: the salvation prayer covers a wide variety of things that may not apply to everyone but there is no harm in covering all the bases so to speak. If parts of it don’t seem to apply to you you are welcome to skip those sections.
If you pray this prayer to receive Jesus or rededicate your life to Him let us know you did!
PRAYER OF SALVATION & DEDICATION-
Heavenly Father, I confess that I am a sinner and have sinned against you and others in thought, word and deed, by my action and my inaction. I repent and am sorry for every wrong thing I have ever done, thought, or participated in.
Forgive me for all pride and rebellion against you and rebellion against living the way your Word calls us to live. Forgive me also for intellectual rebellion and unbelief of refusing to believe Your word is true, and living my own way and self-deciding what morality is right instead of surrendering to the morality described in scripture according to Your design.
Forgive me for any dishonor and disrespect against pastors and others leaders in your church. Forgive me for any way I may have rejected your people the church Lord Jesus as a whole and tried to live an unbiblical solitary faith not going to any church. Forgive me for embracing any and all heresies and all false religions. Forgive me and my ancestors for any drug or alcohol abuse. Spirit of God, guide me into all truth.
(Pause for anything else specific the Lord or your conscience may bring to mind and then pray “Lord I specifically acknowledge this sin and ask forgiveness for…..)
Forgive me for Lord for every idol I have worshipped (including idols of intellect or people or things) or anything or anyone I’ve put above You and loved more than God. Forgive me for any way I gave away my authority or mind, will, and emotions to these idols. Forgive me Lord for every violation of your law, and also every way I have rejected you relationally and not pursued you or loved you with all my heart, soul, mind or strength. Please wash me by the blood of your Son Jesus.
I believe Jesus Christ is resurrected the Son of God, the Savior of the world to come and save all those lost in sin. Jesus you are my Lord and my God. I believe Jesus rose from the dead and I am choosing today to renounce the devil, turn from my sinful lifestyle and follow Him. I do renounce the devil in all his works and ways (repeat this last prayer 3x - I renounce the devil in all his works and all his ways)
Lord Jesus Christ, be my Savior, my healer, my deliverer from the devil. As my Savior thank you for saving me from the penalty of sin and its power and dying in my place. As my healer, I ask that you would heal me of any physical or emotional ailments or issues that have come upon me as the result of my sin.
(Pause and pray for specific spiritual or emotional healing issues that apply to you - “Heavenly Father, specifically I ask for healing from -insert conditions (such as depression, fibromyalgia, ADHD, whatever you’ve been diagnosed with or suffering from)….in Jesus name Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God have mercy upon me.
(After prayer for healing, thank God in your own words)
As my deliverer, please set me free from every demonic entity that has been in or around my life, or present in my body and give me insight if there is any sin I still need to confess to that gives an evil spirit legal right to oppress me, as well as any idol or other unclean object in my possession I need to get destroy or get rid of in order to fully follow You. Also, as a leader in my family I am committing my family (all those in my care) that as much as is up to me, both me and my house will serve the Lord and come into this New Covenant of grace with you God all the days of our life.
Jesus I pray that you would baptize me in the Holy Spirit as you breathed on your disciples to “receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22) and baptized them in Your Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2), please baptize me also today that I may have power to be Your witness. Also, guide me to the church you have called me to go to be baptized in water for repentance (if you have not been baptized in water before), that I may fully enter covenant with You and become united with You in your death and resurrection through baptism.
Holy Spirit, I pray that you would fill me. I ask you today for spiritual gifts to empower my witness and bless your people, and be an ambassador of your Kingdom, not with convincing words of human wisdom but with power from above. You promise Lord if I ask for the Holy Spirit you won’t give me something bad.
(Pause and wait to see if God gives you a spiritual gift in the moment or a special filling of the “Holy Spirit”)
Lord God, Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Protect me and my family and enfold us in your covenant grace as a good Shepherd, gracious Heavenly Father, Helper, please have mercy on us deliver us from all influence of enemies both visible and invisible.
Lord, Help me follow you all the days of my life that I may dwell in Your house forever. I don’t want to just pray a prayer. I want to you be your disciple and follow you. Therefore I surrender my time, my finances, my body, my mind, will and emotions to be your follower to the glory of the God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Use my life for your glory Lord. Thank you for saving me. Amen
Note: It is not unusual if while you were praying that prayer you feel something physically in your body, either the weight of sin lifting, your body being physically healed or something bad leaving you. We would love to hear any testimonies and what God has done in your life or the life of your family. We are joining our faith with yours and believing God will do a mighty work in you and through you.
Testimonies of Finding Jesus
Rev 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. There is great power in hearing other people’s testimony of how they met Jesus and sharing our own.
Adam’s Salvation Testimony - “I grew up in a church going home but didn’t have any relationship with God. As a child, I would frequently escape and hide in the bell choir balcony to avoid being part of Sunday school or Vacation Bible school classes and would hide a Nintendo Gameboy in the hymnal or church Bible to stay occupied while still appearing very pious. I heard all the Bible stories but didn’t have any sense of their relevance to me or why Jesus had to die on the cross. I remember during Holy Week the stories of Jesus betrayal hoping that he would escape and not die, like happened in my favorite cartoons, the superhero might be under pressure but would prevail. I was sad when Jesus died on the cross, and the stories of the resurrection were overshadowed by the church easter egg hunts on the grass afterwards as well as the chocolate high that followed.
When my parents divorced my dad left Christianity and became Buddhist plus a mix of other Eastern religions. I was creeped out by the statues and idols of various gods, but didn’t really have any sense of the point of going to church.
In 8th grade, I switched from public school to christians school. A pastor visited the school to teach Lutheran confirmation class. I don’t remember much about him, but he shared the gospel (main message of Christianity) with me for the first time in a way I understood, from Romans 5, that sin had come through one person, the first Adam, had made everything wrong, “so to speak ”. Then the new Adam, Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection was the solution to fix went wrong. It made sense to me that if one guy made everything wrong, one could make everything right. I remember he was showing several diagrams that made sense to me, but more than that my heart was set on fire with what I now recognize was the Holy Spirit.
However, I didn’t become a real Christian at the time because the Christian school I had been going to the kids were very clique-ish. Not a single one reached out to become friends with me as a student who had move from out of state. So, I reasoned, “How could this Jesus thing be right, if the unbelieving kids at my secular middle school were more loving towards me than these Christian kids who supposedly knew God. If Christianity was true, the people would have to reflect the God of love that they worshipped. So I was in limbo…wanting to believe in Jesus but stuck.
As a Lutheran, I went forward to be confirmed but I still remember when all the confirmands having to kneel before we would be confirmed and accepted into the church, wrestling with “do I believe or not?” I went forward because there was never any opportunity for us to say yes or no in the class.
Later in High School, I met who I would now describe as “real Christians” vs the church kids who basically were enrolled in a Christian school but perhaps didn’t have real faith or maturity.
The group of friends I found then radiated with the love of God and meeting them caused me to fully give everything to follow Jesus. Finally, the truth of the gospel matched the truth of the love of Jesus being lived out in community. There was a pastor Mr. Doerr who led a student Bible study and he also activated the students themselves to help facilitate short Bible studies. After one of those nights I came home and broke down in tears because I knew that Jesus was real and wrote a song, “Let me live like I see heaven”. From church kid, to skeptic, to faith. That was how I began my journey with Jesus.