The Gospel of Jesus Christ

by Shanta Lakra, from Mumbai city

Man has understood the existence of creation by scientific theories, laws & hypothesis like the evolution, big bang, etc, yet the beginning of everything he has laid on assumptions. Bible says in Romans 1:20 –“ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Man rebelled against this very fact that the creation has a Creator much higher than the laws, theories & hypothesis. Even if he starts believing in some supernatural authority above all of these, he starts fearing it. But Bible says in 1 John 4:8 – “God is love” and God demonstrated this love by sending His own Son Jesus Christ to give us Eternal Life. In John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus Christ was not created by God when He needed Him, but Jesus was with God from the beginning. Bible describes Him in John 1:1-4 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”

Man lost his loving relationship with God by committing sin. In Romans 3:23 it says- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Man could not keep this loving relationship with God by observing the laws, as God was interested in his changed & renewed heart & not the sacrifices he made for his sins. Man could do nothing to restore this relationship. It was God who initiated this reconciling process by sending His own Son Jesus Christ. Jesus came to restore this lost loving relationship with God. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The wages for our sins has been fully paid by Jesus through His death on the Cross.

The prophets like Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27), Isaiah (Isaiah 53) prophesied the coming of Jesus centuries before his birth. I am quoting some of the verses of prophecy from Isaiah 53:4-6.

Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

People were waiting for ‘The Messiah’ as per the prophecies, who would redeem them from their heavy yoke & rule with righteous & justice forever. Nearly 2000 years ago, these prophecies were fulfilled. Jesus was conceived by the power of God’s Holy Spirit and not through sexual intercourse. Mary was a virgin whom God called to be the mother of His Son. The birth of Jesus was not with great pomp & show but in a very humble way in a manger. The shepherds were the first people to receive this joyous news of His birth. Later, three kings from far east traveled thousands of miles following a star, to worship Him.

During his ministry on earth, Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God and did many miraculous signs like healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out unclean spirits, feeding thousands of hungry people by multiplying few loaves & fishes, walking on water, calming the storms, almost everything that is impossible for a mere man to even think of doing. He is the image of invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

No man or prophet came with such authority proclaiming himself to be God. But Jesus came telling the world that He is the Son of God.

Luke 9:20 – “But what about you?” he (Jesus) asked. “Who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

John 14:6 – Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:7- If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.

John 8:12 – When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 4:14 – but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:11 – "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep
John 11:25 – Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

Jesus perfectly knew His Mission as to why He came into this world? He preached & did the works of God for three and half years. He declared His own Death and Resurrection to his disciples. And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22). 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).Jesus came to give us Eternal Life. He has already paid the heavy price for it by dying on the cross for our sins. He rose again after three days. Acts 2:24 “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

Receive His offer of Salvation today, for you know not when this life ends here. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9). Don’t be afraid to receive Him, for He has overcome the world. In John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Don’t sit back and say ‘I will see what will happen after I die”? It will be too late, just like for the rich man who was denied of his request of sending someone from the dead to his family members, that they may not end up like him in hell. In Luke 16:30 – The rich man said “but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ Jesus is knocking at your heart, He says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20). Accept His invitation of Salvation. You will never regret it rather this will be the best decision you will make for Eternity.

Jesus is coming again to take us home. In Revelation 22:13 – “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Before His Second Coming, accept Him as your personal Savior. The time is now !