In my last post, I talked about Jesus being the whole point of the Christian life. He’s the beginning and the end (and everything in the middle). Jesus himself said “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Jesus is the way to God because he is God. He and the Father are one (John 10:30).
But Jesus isn’t just the way, he’s the destination as well. He is the life. As Paul says, “in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17: 28). He isn’t the bridge to cross to get to somewhere else. He is where we belong. He is where we’re heading. He is our heart’s home. It doesn’t make any sense to complain that Jesus is the only way because Jesus is it. Jesus is the destination. He isn’t just a way to life – he is the life.
I’ve heard people say they want heaven without God – a place full of the wonderful things in life but without religion. But that’s a paradox because everything good in life – indeed life itself – comes from God and is found in him. If you take him away, there is no love, goodness or life because he is love and goodness and life. It’s like saying I want the broom without the handle, the head and the brushes. It doesn’t make sense because the broom is the handle, head and the brushes. Heaven is being with God for eternity – enjoying his love, goodness and life forever. It turns out that if you don’t want Jesus, then you don’t want heaven.
So can I invite you to check out Jesus? There was a time when I didn’t know or trust him. I didn’t believe that he could save me from death (or even believe that I needed saving). But as I grappled with existential questions about meaning and value, I opened the Bible and discovered that what Jesus said and did rang true. He wasn’t just a good man or a wise teacher. He is God himself whose outrageous love was able to make me whole and give me hope. I put my trust in him and found my home in him. I’m looking forward to an eternity with him. I pray that will be your experience too.
If you don’t know where to start looking into Jesus, here are some ideas:
- Read through Mark’s gospel. It’ll only take you about 90 mins.
- Watch The Bible Project videos. I’d recommend the overview of Mark’s gospel and the How to Read the Bible series.
- Talk to a Christian friend about why they follow Jesus. I’d be very happy to meet for a coffee and a chat.
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