Monthly Thought

March 2008

Is there anyone you would die for? Your Mum or Dad? A brother or sister perhaps? Or maybe a close friend?

But what about everyone in your street? Or in your school? Are you willing to die for them?

Because there is somebody who is willing to die for them, and for you. In fact, he already has died for you.

Who? Jesus Christ.

We have just celebrated Easter. Although celebrated may not be quite the right word to use when we think of the events of Good Friday. What can possibly be good about a man suffering and dying on a cross? Nothing. Not if it's an ordinary man. But Jesus wasn't an ordinary man. He was a man without sin and as such was willing to die so that you and I could have our sins forgiven.

So here's the first good news: you are entitled to wear the t-shirt with this message on the back:

I am worth dying for!

But Good Friday is only half of the story. On Easter Sunday Jesus rose from the dead. He defeated death; not only for himself but for us as well. Whatever happens to us in this life, it doesn't have to be the end. By accepting Jesus into our lives and all that He did for us, we have the hope of spending eternity in heaven with Him. But not only is that good news for us, it's good news for Jesus too.

So here's the second good news: get a second t-shirt for this message

I am Jesus' heavenly reward!

How big is God's love for each one of us, that not only are we worth dying for, but we are the reward of the one who did die for us.

It you want to know more about what heaven will be like, read Revelation 21:1-8.

If you ever feel as though you aren't good enough, just get one of those t-shirts out, pull it on and tell the world: YOU are worth dying for and YOU are Jesus' heavenly reward. What is there better than that?

If you want to talk about anything raised here, e-mail me on dianne.gamble@ntlworld.com.