Even if you're an atheist (you're convinced that God's not real) or agnostic (you're not sure if God exists), imagine for a minute that the Universe we live in had a creator and didn't just pop into existence by chance.
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Imagine also, that our creator, whom we call God, loves us, and wants a personal relationship with each one of us. But suppose we decided that there are more important things than an intimate relationship with our creator. God would be understandably disappointed, wouldn't he?
Suppose God decided to persevere and reveal himself to us by sending us his son to live amongst us, living a perfect life, teaching about God's kingdom, healing the sick, even raising the dead and performing many more miracles besides.
And suppose God saw that the only way to convince us take him seriously was to sacrifice his son, who in dying on the cross would take all the sins of the world upon himself. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is that person.
God proved that Jesus had conquered death by raising him back to life on the third day. Easter Sunday is a special celebration of Jesus' resurrection. So what does this mean for those who believe and follow Jesus?
Actually, it's huge. It means that Jesus has paid the penalty for our choosing to turn our backs on God and offers us life to the full with him now and for eternity. We don't need to work for it - it's free! We just need to accept this free gift and thank God for it. And in the process, our lives would be transformed for the better.
Now that would be a cause for celebration, wouldn't it?
But what if, after all that, people still chose to turn their backs on God and to go their own way? Wouldn't that be a tragedy?
The New Testament accounts of Jesus life in the 4 gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John) tell of these things. Interestingly, there is more evidence that Jesus lived than for anyone else who lived at the same time in human history.
Why does the title of "most influential person in human history" go to a poor, uneducated carpenter from an oppressed people group? Find out for yourself by reading of the life and teachings of Jesus and his death and resurrection with an open mind this Easter. You might be surprised at what you find.
If you would like copy of the Bible you can obtain one by emailing nelsonbaybaptist@gmail.com or phoning (02) 4984 2886.
Happy Easter.
- Andrew East is the pastor at Nelson Bay Baptist Church
