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 This week, we delve into the profound narrative of Jesus and Lazarus, a story that serves as a powerful microcosm of the journey one takes from spiritual death to vibrant new life as a Jesus follower. Through this exploration, we will unpack the layers of meaning embedded within the raising of Lazarus, examining its connection to Jesus’s own promised resurrection and the hope it ignites within us. We will then turn our attention to the comforting promises of Jesus: his assurance of being with us, the promise of eternal life, his dedication to preparing a place for us, and the unwavering declaration that nothing can separate us from his love. These promises, rooted in the resurrection, provide a solid foundation for our faith, offering solace and unwavering hope as we navigate the complexities of life and anticipate the fullness of eternal life with him. A collective reflection on God’s grace and our chances for renewal Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
How I answer John 3:16 The hard questions: Do you believe in God? Go to church? Why are you a Christian? I sweat, fumble my words, and worry I’ll sound crazy or let Jesus down. I hate that feeling. Maybe you’ve got a great answer, but me? Nope. So, I’ve decided to try a new approach. I knew the approach needed to be simple, memorable, logical, and Bible-based to answer without sounding crazy or letting Jesus down. Here it is. A simple formula based on a famous scripture. See what you think: There’s this God. He said He was going to do this Thing. That Thing happened. And this God says if you believe in that Thing… Well, you receive the ultimate gift. That’s it. I can answer those hard questions with the formula itself, or I can use the formula as a guide. Let me show you what I mean. [There’s this God] – There is a God. And he’s like THE GOD, bigger than astrology some follow, bigger than tarot cards & divination, new age spirituality, manifestations, etc. He’s THE GOD. [He said He was going to do this Thing] – God said he was going to send his only son down here on Earth to live among us, love us, and ultimately save us. I don’t know any parent that would willingly let their child, their ONLY child, go into any situation that would significantly put them in harm’s way. But God said he was, which makes me stop and question why God would do this? [That Thing happened.] What exactly did God’s son do here on Earth? From beginning to end, it’s like the best movie, book, or album ever made. Hands down. Jesus did SUPER-NATURAL things: he walked on water, changed water to wine, fed thousands with a few loaves of bread, and raised people from the dead. Jesus had INCREDIBLE HEALING POWERS: he helped the blind see and the deaf hear and took away disease and sickness. He did this unaided by stunt people, technology, innovation, AI, and filters. Jesus was and is the real deal. He healed bodies and saved souls. And yet, despite all this, people mocked, tortured, and crucified Him. But even in death, Jesus did what no one expected – he conquered it. [And this God says if you believe in that Thing…] How do we know that this happened? First, God gave us the Bible, a collection of real people’s encounters with him. Plus, it’s God’s actual Word, showing us who he is, how he works, and what it all means for us. All those examples I gave you are in the Bible, plus so much more. While we have the Bible, we also have modern-day people sharing their stories, experiences, and encounters with him. All it takes is one Jesus-related search, and your social feed will be filled with people sharing how he’s shown up for them. And honestly? It’s incredible. This shows me Jesus is still ever-present in our daily lives, and I believe. [Well, you receive the ultimate gift.] The ultimate gift? Salvation and everlasting life. The New Testament describes the life to come: no pain, no sickness, no sorrow, no grief. Only love, peace, and joy. Plus, we get to meet Jesus, God, the angels, the prophets, and all the faithful – from the Bible, yesterday and today. I cannot wait for what’s to come! This is my go-to for those hard questions. This formula is based on the popular 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.” I hope this is helpful for you and that it gives you something to work with when those hard questions come up. By Marnie Vasquez |
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