HopeFul Reflections

I’m genuinely excited about today. Even if you are someone who doesn’t adhere to a particular faith, it’s impossible to ignore the profound life and impact of Jesus Christ. The concept that the God of a particular faith chose to descend as a human and make the ultimate sacrifice for his followers is undeniably unique. What resonates with me the most about Jesus’ life is his moral integrity. Even for those who don’t share his religious beliefs, it’s challenging to dispute the goodness evident in his actions. If everyone embraced a more Christ-like approach, the world could be significantly improved, with selfishness, greed, jealousy, anger, and other vices losing their grip. The remaining issues would be those beyond our control, like natural disasters. Picture a world where everyone loved their neighbor as much as they love themselves. In this world people also love themselves because they know God loves them.

I completely understand when people express skepticism about faith due to institutional corruption and misuse for evil purposes. However, my advice is to do what I do: go straight to the source and follow Jesus himself. His wisdom, life, and message of love are objectively commendable. I urge you to read the gospel, and I believe you’ll feel the warmth of his love transcending time and pages. Learning about the life of someone so pure is undeniably beneficial.

Another remarkable aspect of Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice he made. My interpretation might not be flawless, but it helps me make sense of it. In the Old Testament, sin required sacrifices, ranging from certain animals to wheat for those who couldn’t afford more. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the lamb who willingly sacrificed himself to absolve all sins. Our sins accumulate a debt so immense that we could never offer a sufficient sacrifice for forgiveness. Only Jesus’ monumental sacrifice could meet this requirement.

The uniqueness of Jesus’ sacrifice lies in his resurrection. He, as the Lord, experienced human suffering firsthand, enduring persecution, hunger, thirst, pain, and a most agonizing form of the death penalty. His cry to God during that moment reflects the isolating nature of sin. Sin separates us from God, a painful realization for those who truly believe in God’s love.

The purpose of resurrection becomes evident in Jesus trampling death underfoot, demonstrating his supremacy. Through faith in Jesus, we gain new life and the possibility of eternal life. Even if you’re not ready to accept that, consider adopting his teachings of love, humility, and forgiveness to improve your earthly life.

-JKG