This is much too important to try to present with a few words so some time has to be used on it.

This article is the length of a small book, divided into 285 small points to make it easy to read.

If you prefer to read it offline, you can download it as a Pdf here.

1. We will look at how God created everything perfect.
2. How sin destroyed and how bad sin is.
3. That we all have sinned and the consequence of sin.
4. What God did in His great love to help us.
5. How salvation and eternal life can be yours.
6. Why giving all the heart is the least we can do – and why nothing else will do.

So let’s start at the beginning:

“In the beginning God created heaven and earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

When God was finished, “God saw all that He had made and behold they were exceedingly good.” (Genesis 1:31)

2.

God created everything “exceedingly good.”

For you and me to enjoy on our time here on earth.

God loves us so much, and He cares like no one else can.

3.

Unfortunately, since then, sin has destroyed a lot of the wonderful world that God created for us to enjoy, but looking at nature we can still see remnants of its original beauty.

Yes every flower and every bird tells us - that there is a God that really loves us.

4.

I am so thankful to be His friend and here I try to present a little of what I know of Him and the great love that I have met;

yes the Friend that makes life worth living and an eternity with Him my only goal.

5.

As said, this cannot be presented with only a few sentences, and where we will be in thousands of years from now, is the most important question in our lives – so it should not be treated as a small thing.

So in the same way as if you study to take a driving license – time has to be spent on it.

6.

As I started with, in the beginning everything was very good.

But then our great, great, great grandparents messed things up, big time.

7.

God has given us a free will, and every person wants a relation of love, based on the free will and the choice of the other person.

God did not force our great, great, great grandparents to choose Him – and neither will He force you.

He gave them only one thing that He asked them to respect and it was:

“of all the trees of the garden you shall eat. But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for even the same day you eat of it, you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

8.

As we go along, I strongly suggest that you stop and find the verses in the Bible and see for yourself.

Don’t take my word for it – see in the Bible if what I write is from the Bible.

9.

With all the beauty around them that a loving God had given them to enjoy, and being allowed to eat freely from every tree, except one, it would be an easy choice to respect that simple rule.

And Adam and Eve did not just have a little to choose from.

10.

Whilst Genesis 1 gives a quick overview of Creation, Genesis 2 gives us more details.

Here we see that there was every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food:

“The Lord God also planted a garden in Eden from the beginning and there He sat man whom He had formed. And the Lord God made to spring out of the earth, all manner of trees beautiful to the sight and pleasant to eat and the tree of life in the midst of the garden” (Genesis 2:8-9)

We know that the earth has an enormous amount of different beautiful trees, and here were “all manner of trees beautiful to the sight and pleasant to eat”

so in the garden there must have been an enormous amount of trees for our great, great, great grandparents to enjoy.

11.

And not only trees, but every beautiful bird, horse and every other beautiful animal that you can think of, were there as well:

“And after that the Lord God had made of the earth all manner of beasts of the field and all manner of birds of the air, He brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them.

And as Adam called all manner of living beasts, even so are their names.

And Adam gave names unto all manner of cattle and unto the birds of the air and unto all manner of beasts of the field.” (Genesis 2:19-20)

12.

What a paradise world.

Better than the richest person could ever dream of creating if buying a paradise island for himself.

And they got this dream come true for free and could enjoy it all freely,

and there was only one thing to respect – just one tree to avoid.

13.

I think God placed it there, so they would have a choice.

If there had been nothing that they should respect, they wouldn’t really have had a choice, would they?

Now they had a choice.

14.

We all know that they decided to not obey – and ate the only fruit that they should avoid when Eve

“took of the fruit of it and ate and gave unto her husband also with her and he ate.” (Genesis 3:6)

15.

When they rebelled they died, not physically, but something on their inside died.

Suddenly they were alone, naked and afraid.

16.

God asked Adam, and knowing God, I think with both sorrow and love;

“have you eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3:11)

Adam replied;

“The woman which You gave to bear me company she gave me of the tree and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12)

17.

Sounds to me like that instead of being sorry, he blamed both God and Eve, and in the next verse Eve blamed the serpent.

Seems like blaming others when we do something wrong started with our great, great, great grandparents when they sinned their first sin.

18.

How bad sin is and the terrible effect of it, is not to be underestimated.

Before sin there was no death, no pain, no sorrow, no sickness, no wars, no hate.

19.

And in Romans 5:12 we see that death came through sin;

“Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world and death by the means of sin. And so death went over all men, insomuch that all men sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

20.

At the early time on earth, the living conditions were great and man got really old before their bodies died.

However, sin was now on earth, and the first child murdered his brother.

21.

And it got really bad – so bad that God was grieved:

“And when the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was increased upon the earth and that all the imagination and thoughts of his heart was only evil continually, He repented that He had made man upon the earth and sorrowed in His heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6)

22.

Yes sin was so bad at this time that God decided to start over.

We then know that God sent the flood, and all civilizations have a story of a great flood, and evidence from it like fossils of corals on the top of the Alps, can be witnessed everywhere.

23.

But it is not only our great, great, great grandparents that have sinned.

We all have.

And not only once, but many, many times.

24.

Now, you might read this and think that you have not really sinned that much.

First – we might not be good at recognizing our own sins.

Therefore God has given us His holy word to show us how we should live, and then we see that we all have sinned – many times.

But even if it had been just one sin, it still wouldn’t help as we know that “Whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet fail in one point, he is guilty in all.” (James 2:10)

25.

Or you might read this and think that you have sinned so much, that God never wants you.

But the gospel is called the good news for a reason, and God tells us:

“though your sins be as red as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

And though they were like purple, they shall be as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

26.

The Bible tells us that;

“all have sinned and lack the praise that is of worth before God” (Romans 3:23)

and “What say we then? Are we better then they?

No, in no wise, for we have already proved how that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin, as it is written;

There is none righteous, no not one,

there is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God” (Romans 3:9-11)

27.

Though there are many sins, one sin is especially mentioned – indicating that it is the biggest of them all.

Jesus says the following;

“And when He is come, He will rebuke the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.

Of sin, because they believe not on Me” (John 16:8-9)

Jesus points out one sin – “they believe not on Me”

28.

And the prophet Isaiah writes;

“we have gone all astray like sheep, every one has turned his own way” (Isaiah 53:6)

God here points out one sin – “every one has turned his own way”

29.

To want to be our own boss, and to want to go our own way, and not wanting to believe in Jesus;

This seems to be the biggest sin of them all, and the root of all other sins.

30.

We have already seen that “death went over all men, insomuch that all men sinned.”  (Romans 5:12)

And we see that “the reward of sin is death, but eternal life is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

31.

It is abundantly clear that we all have sinned, and (except the Christians living on earth when Jesus returns), all humans will die, as it is written, that

“it is appointed unto men that they shall once die and then comes the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)

32.

Here we see that life does not end with the death of the body and that eternity is awaiting all of us in another world – either it be heaven or hell.

And that life is not only for our time here on earth – but that there will be a judgment after life on earth.

33.

God has informed us of what the criteria is at the judgment when writing;

“And I saw a great white throne and Him that sat on it from whose face fled away both the earth and heaven and their place was no more found.

And I saw the dead, both great and small standing before God.

And the books were opened and another book was opened, which is the book of life.

And the dead were judged of those things which were written in the books according to their deeds.

And the sea gave up her dead, which were in her and death and hell delivered up the dead, which were in them.

And they were judged, every man according to his deeds.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

34.

We see that there will be different judgments depending on how people have lived their lives – but what really matters is to avoid being cast into the lake of fire.

Therefore, having our names written in the book of life, is the thing that really matters.

35.

Jesus is nice and He has provided us with more information about this other places in the Bible.

The most famous Bible verse is John 3:16 showing that God, does not want us to go to hell, when Jesus is saying;

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that none that believes in Him should perish, but should have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world through Him, might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

36.

But it doesn’t stop there but Jesus continues;

“He that believes on Him shall not be condemned.

But he that believes not, is condemned already, because he believes not in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18)

37.

Further Jesus is telling us;

“Verily, verily, I say unto you;

He that hears My words,

and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life and shall not come into damnation, but is escaped from death unto life.” (John 5:24)

38.

Here we clearly see that the key on the judgment day is to believe in Jesus, and that anyone that believes in Him is not condemned.

And we also see that “he that believes not is condemned already” meaning that he is not in the book of life and will be “cast into the lake of fire.”

39.

This might sound like hard words, but it is not my words, but the Bible.

You might say;

“Does this mean that God wants me to go to hell?”

40.

No, on the contrary!

God says; “As truly as I live says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but much rather that the wicked turn from his way, and live.

Turn, turn from your wicked ways, for why will you die” (Ezekiel 33:11)

41.

And we read that God our Saviour “will have all men saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

This is what God wants.

But you have a free will, and He will not push you.

42.

You might ask me;

“Why is it this way?

Why is the only way to escape hell, to believe in Jesus?”

43.

This cannot be answered in one sentence, but I will try to explain.

Every country has laws to get society to work, right?

Without laws and punishments for they that break them, society would not work.

44.

God also has a law.

He created us, the earth and everything we see, and He has given us instructions on how to live here on earth – God’s law.

His “law is holy and the commandment holy, just and good.” (Romans 7:12) and it is telling us what is right and what is wrong.

45.

Then you might ask me – “What is God’s law?

What are the instructions for us to follow?”

Well, that is why we have the Bible.

46.

You have probably heard about the 10 commandments which are the basis for civilization, so let’s start by looking at them:

“And God spoke all these words and said;

I am the Lord your God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt and out of the house of bondage.

You shall have none other gods in My sight. You shall make you no graven image, neither any similitude that is in heaven above, either in the earth beneath, or in the water that is beneath the earth. See that you neither bow yourself unto them, neither serve them” (Exodus 20:1-5)

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day that you sanctify it. Six days may you labour and do all that you have to do, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God, in it you shall do no manner of work” (Exodus 20:7-10)

47.

“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.

You shall not kill.

You shall not break marriage.

You shall not steal.

You shall bear no false witness against your neighbour.

You shall not covet your neighbour’s house, neither shall covet your neighbour’s wife, his manservant, his maid, his ox, his ass or anything that is his.” (Exodus 20:12-17)

48.

As we see here, the first four commandments are about our relation to God, as that is the most important in our lives.

49.

And Jesus shows us that this is the most important in the law when He was asked the following;

“Master, which is the chief commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him;

You shall love your Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the first and the chief commandment.

And there is another like unto this. You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

In these two commandments, hang all the law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

50.

So we clearly see that the most important is to love God.

And secondly to love others as ourselves.

And Jesus explains that “In these two commandments, hang all the law and the Prophets.”

51.

Yes, if we love God and love each other – we will automatically want to keep the rest of God’s law, as it is written;

“For he that loves another, fulfills the law.

For these commandments: You shall not commit adultery. You shall not kill. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. You shall not desire and so forth if there be any other commandment, they are all comprehended in this saying:

Love your neighbour as yourself.

Love hurts not his neighbour.

Therefore is love the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10)

52.

So clearly, the most important is to love God.

And then to love others as ourselves.

If we all loved God and loved others as ourselves – what a wonderful world this would have been with no hate, no conflicts and no wars.

53.

From what we have seen above, we know that all of us have failed and broken God’s law an uncountable number of times.

But God gives us even more details of His law and lists some sins when saying;

“being full of all unrighteous doing,

of fornication,

wickedness,

covetousness,

maliciousness,

full of envy,

murder,

debate,

deceit,

evil conditioned,

whisperers,

backbiters,

haters of God,

doers of wrong,

proud,

boasters,

bringers up of evil things,

disobedient to their fathers and mothers,

without understanding,

covenant breakers,

unloving,

stubborn

and merciless.”  
(Romans 1:29-31)

54.

Clearly we all have failed.

55.

And here He lists some more;

“The deeds of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

wantonness,

idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

zeal,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

part takings,

envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

gluttonies

and such like, of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which commit such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

56.

So there can be no doubt that all of us have broken God’s holy law an uncountable number of times.

57.

Then you might say;

“This is bad.

I see that we are lawbreakers,

so what is the penalty in God’s law for the different crimes that we have done?”

58.

Well, this is explained in Romans 1 in the following verse;

“Which men, though they knew the righteousness of God, how that they which such things commit are worthy of death, yet not only do the same, but also have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:32)

And as we just read;

“that they which commit such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21)

And again in Romans 6;

“For the reward of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)

59.

“But,” you might say; “Why has not God judged us yet?”

60.

God doesn’t want to judge us.

God says; “As truly as I live says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but much rather that the wicked turn from his way, and live.

Turn, turn from your wicked ways, for why will you die” (Ezekiel 33:11)

And; “God our Saviour, which will have all men saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

61.

So God is long-suffering and often gives us time to repent, and will often postpone the judgment as it is written;

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, patience and long-suffering?
And remember not how that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

And the Lord “is patient towards us and wants to have no man lost, but wants to receive all men to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

62.

However, the postponement of judgment should not be taken as a sign that the judgment isn't coming.

Contrary we should use it to repent,

and we are warned not to harden our hearts and treasure up for ourselves wrath as it is written;

“But you after your hard heart that cannot repent, you heap together the treasure of wrath against the day of vengeance, when shall be opened the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:5)

63.

And we see that He “will reward every man according to his deeds,

that is to say, praise, honour and immortality, to them which continue in good doing, and seek eternal life.

But unto them that are rebellious and disobey the truth, yet follow iniquity, shall come indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon the soul of every man that does evil.” (Romans 2:6-9)

64.

So we have now seen from the Bible that it is abundantly clear that we all have sinned, and according to God’s holy law, rightly deserve the death penalty and an eternity in the lake of fire.

The Good news

You might say; “Man, this looks bad. I thought this was about good news, but this is certainly not good news.”

66.

The truth might be hard, but now we come to the good news.

“You mean that there is hope for me?”

67.

Yes, God knew that there was nothing that we could do, and even though He by no means had a duty to help us, He decided to help, even though it came at a very high price for Himself.

The price for this was so high that the human brain cannot understand such an enormous level of love, as it is written;

“to know what is the love of Christ, which love passes knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19)

68.

None of us deserved any help, but “God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son,

that none that believes in Him should perish, but should have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

And “God sets out His love that He has to us, seeing that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

He loved us so much, that whilst we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!

69.

You might say; “Can you explain this in more detail?”

Again, this cannot be explained in just a few sentences, but as this is the most important in our lives, time has to be spent on it.

70.

We have already seen that we all have sinned and deserve the death penalty.

So how could God save us from our well-deserved judgment without breaking His own laws?

71.

The first thing to understand is the basic fact that only an innocent person could take the penalty for a guilty person.

Why?

If someone is sentenced to life in prison, he is already in prison for life. He cannot take a life sentence for another person.

Only a free, innocent person could take the life in prison sentence on behalf of another person. (Given that the law opened for another to take the penalty of the guilty person.)

72.

As we all are guilty, none of us could have taken the penalty for any other person.

The only solution was for an innocent person to be born to earth, to live the life on earth without doing any sin, and then die in our place.

73.

No ordinary human could ever have done it, so the only option was for God Himself to come to earth and die for us lawbreakers,

and that God Himself took our death penalty – so we can go free.

74.

This is such a great love that our human brains cannot comprehend.

It is a greater love than anyone could ever dream of.

No wonder that the apostle John writes; “God is love” (1 John 4:16) and how true it is.

75.

Let’s now look into more detail what God did to take our sins on Himself, and take the penalty that we so rightly deserved.

God's wonderful rescue plan, so we could be saved and not have to spend eternity in hell.

76.

It all started at the very beginning.

As soon as our great, great, great grandparents had sinned, God promised to send a Saviour when saying to the serpent;

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed.

He shall crush your head, and you shall sting His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

77.

Normally when talking about children, the Bible talks about the seed of the man, but here it is the seed of the woman,

and that is for a reason, as a virgin around 4000 years later would give birth to Jesus, our Saviour, with no man involved.

78.

We know that when Eve gave birth to her first son, she must have thought that this was the Saviour as she said; “I have gotten a man of the Lord.” (Genesis 4:1)

Little did she know that it still was many thousand years more to go, before the Messiah, our Saviour would be born in Bethlehem.

79.

We see that His heel would be stung and we do know that it happened on the cross when Jesus died for our sins,

and we know that Jesus indeed at the same time crushed the head of the serpent.

80.

Shortly after Adam and Eve had sinned, the first animal had to die as a result of their sins, when

“the Lord God made Adam and his wife garments of skins and put them on them.” (Genesis 3:21)

Since then millions of humans and also millions of animals have died, which would never have happened, had it not been for sin.

81.

Every book in the Old Testament points to our wonderful Saviour, but I will only mention a few examples.

82.

We know that God made a covenant with Abraham and that later Isaac was born. (Genesis 15 and Genesis 22)

Later “God did test Abraham and said unto him; Abraham. And he answered; Here am I.

And He said; Take your only son Isaac whom you love and get yourself unto the land of Moriah and sacrifice him there for a sacrifice upon one of the mountains which I will show you.” (Genesis 22:1-2)

Why did God ask Abraham to do this?

83.

We know that God did not want Abraham to actually offer Isaac, seeing what happened;

“And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to have killed his son. Then the Angel of the Lord called unto him from heaven saying; Abraham, Abraham. And he answered; Here am I.

And He said; Lay not your hand upon the child, neither do anything at all unto him, for now I know that you fear God, in that you have not kept your only son from Me.

And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked about, and behold there was a ram caught by the horns in a thicket. And he went and took the ram and offered him up for a sacrifice in the stead of his son.” (Genesis 22:10-13)

84.

So what was the reason for this test?

We know that God planned to send His own Son Jesus to die for us.

To me it seems that for God to have the legal right to send His Son Jesus to die for us, He needed that the person with which He had a covenant, and whose great, great, great granddaughter Mary would give birth to Jesus – that he was willing to give his only son Isaac to die.

85.

Abraham did his part and God instead provided a ram.

We know that Abraham “offered” his only son Isaac at a mountain in Moriah land which today is Jerusalem.

Around 2000 years later God would let His only Son Jesus die for us at a mountain in Jerusalem called Calvary.

The same place as where Abraham had “offered” his only son.
Please keep also in mind as we go along that it was a ram (a male sheep) that was offered in place of Isaac.

86.

Later, when the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt and God was delivering them, we know that God instituted the Passover.

Here a lamb was sacrificed for every family, and the blood of that lamb served to save them. (Exodus 12:1-28)

Many years later during the Passover – Jesus – the Lamb of God, would give His life to save us, and His blood has opened the door to salvation for everyone that wants.

87.

Moving even closer to the birth of Jesus – around 800 years before it – God is again pointing out that our Saviour will be born by a virgin with no man involved when saying;

“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign.

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel.” (Isaiah  7:14)

88.

And using the same prophet God is telling us about His great plan of salvation and how God Himself is going to take the penalty for our sins when telling about what Jesus will do.

Yes we see that Jesus “has taken on Him our infirmity and borne our pains, yet we considered Him as though He was plagued and cast down of God and punished.” (Isaiah 53:4)

But we see that what really happened was that He “was wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickedness.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Yes He took the punishment so that we would have peace, and by “His stripes are we healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

89.

And the prophet points out that;

“we have gone all astray like sheep, every one has turned his own way,” (Isaiah 53:6)

And continues;

“but the Lord has thrown upon Him all our sins.” (Isaiah 53:6)

90.

And points out that Jesus indeed was innocent when saying that He has done no “wrong, neither has there been any deceit in His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9)

And we see that He was the offer for our sin when pointing out that Jesus gave His life as “an offering for sin,” (Isaiah 53:10)

And further that Jesus, the Righteous, through His knowledge shall justify many “for He shall bear their sins.” (Isaiah 53:11)

91.

Yes even the famous prayer of Jesus on the cross when Jesus said; “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)

is already here foretold when saying that Jesus prayed “for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)

92.

This is the plan, now revealed around 800 years in advance.

God Himself will come and die on a cross for our sins.

He will bear our iniquities.

He is going to take our penalty.

93.

Words comes to an end when seeing such a love.

No wonder that the apostle John almost 900 years later exclaims; “Behold what love the Father has showed on us, that we should be called the sons of God.” (1 John 3:1)

94.

Moving even closer with just around 600 years to go, God even points out the very year when Jesus is going to die on the cross when saying;

“Seventy weeks are determined over your people, and over your holy city, that the wickedness may be consumed, that the sin may have an end, that the offense may be reconciled, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, to fulfill the visions and the prophets and to anoint the Most Holy One.” (Daniel 9:24)

Weeks are to be understood to be weeks of years, i.e. one week = 7 years, so 70 weeks = 490 years, and counting 490 years from when Ezra brought the Jews back from the Babylonian captivity, we find ourselves at the very year 33-34, and Jesus, the Messiah, died on the cross for all our sins.

95.

Finally, the time is come and as God said at the very beginning and then repeated around 800 years before this moment, a virgin will now give birth to the Son of God with no man involved.

So to explain this to Mary; “the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee,  named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary.” (Luke 1:26-27)

96.

“And the angel said unto her; Fear not Mary, you have found grace with God. Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and shall bear a Son and shall call His name Jesus.

He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever and of His kingdom shall be no end.” (Luke 1:30-33)

97.

“Then said Mary unto the angel; How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her; The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you.

Therefore also the Holy which shall be born, shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35)

98.

Mary was not yet married to Joseph and an “angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying; Joseph, the son of David, fear not to take unto you Mary your wife. For that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Spirit.

She shall bring forth a Son and you shall call His name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:20-21)

99.

The angel then points out to Joseph that Jesus “shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

And points out that “All this was done to fulfill that which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying; Behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son and they shall call His name Emanuel, which is by interpretation, God with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23)

100.

When Jesus is born there are shepherds in the field and; “the angel of the Lord stood by them and the brightness of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid.

And the angel said unto them; Be not afraid. Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, that shall come to all the people” (Luke 2:9-10)

This was indeed tidings of great joy for us humans that otherwise would have been lost with no way to get salvation from the consequences of our sin.

101.

Finally the wait is over and as the angel said; “for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

(If you are not used to read the Bible, I might here point out that Christ is the Greek/English version for the Hebrew/English word Messiah.)

102.

Our Saviour had now come and it is God Himself, Christ the Lord, that has come to earth to take the penalty for our sins.

This is it.

Now the salvation project is really under way.

103.

When Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple the following happens;

“And behold there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And the same man was just and feared God and longed for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was in him.

And an answer was given him of the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Luke 2:25-26)

104.

“And he came by inspiration into the temple. And as the father and mother brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law. Then took he Him up in his arms and said;

Lord, now You let Your servant depart in peace according to Your promise.

For mine eyes have seen the Saviour sent from You, which You have prepared before the face of all people.” (Luke 2:27-31)

Just as the prophet Isaiah had foretold 800 years earlier, we see that Jesus has now come to be our Saviour.

105.

Jesus grows up and at 30 years of age He starts His work on earth.

Before He starts He comes to John the Baptist who exclaims;

“Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Not only that Jesus is the Messiah – He is also the Lamb of God.

106.

Many lambs had been offered over the years since our great, great, great grandparents first sinned, to cover sins, but these offers could never remove our sins and make us righteous, as we read in Hebrews 10 where it is written, that the law;

“can never with the sacrifices which they offer year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” (Hebrews 10:1)

107.

And God points out that “it is impossible that the blood of oxen and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)

But now the Lamb of God Himself had finally come.

108.

God Himself would be the sacrifice, that would not cover our sins – but take them away as it is written;

“By the which will we are sanctified, by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

109.

And as it is written of the other sacrifices that they; “can never take away sins.

But this Man after He had offered one sacrifice for sins, sat Him down for ever on the right hand of God and from henceforth waiting till His foes be made His footstool.

For with one offering has He made perfect for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:11-14)

110.

When John the Baptist said “Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world”, there were still a few years left before Jesus would take our penalty on the cross  

– and Jesus spent that time to show us a love that is hard to grasp.

111.

When “the scribes and pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery” whom they wanted to stone, Jesus saved her life by saying to them; “let him that is among you without sin cast the first stone at her.”

Jesus knew exactly how the law should be interpreted, and He also knew that these guys themselves were sinners. Yes it is likely that they were a lot worse sinners, than the woman that they wanted to kill.

We also read that; “this they said to tempt Him, that they might have, whereof to accuse Him”, so apparently they knew very well that Jesus was not at all keen in seeing people being stoned by them. (John 8:3, 6, 7)

112.

Soon Jesus Himself would die for her sins, as well as for the whole world’s.

113.

We know that; “Jesus went about all cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people.

But when He saw the people, He had pity on them” (Matthew 9:35-36)

God has a heart that really feels for us, and He has compassion on us like no other.

114.

It was busy around Jesus “And the apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.

And He said unto them; Come you apart into the wilderness and rest a while. For there were many comers and goers, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

And He went by boat aside out of the way into a desert place.” (Mark 6:30-32)

115.

However “when the people had heard thereof, they followed Him afoot out of their cities.” (Matthew 14:13) so when Jesus arrived it was not at all deserted.

“And Jesus went forth and saw much people and His heart did melt upon them and He healed of them those that were sick.” (Matthew 14:14)

Even though it had been so busy that they did not have time enough to eat, and they had gone away so the disciples could “rest a while”

– Jesus’ heart did really feel for them, “and He healed of them those that were sick.”

116.

As we see;

Jesus is the very definition of love!

117.

In Luke chapter 7 we again see the heart and love of Jesus when “He went into a city called Naim and many of His disciples went with Him and much people.

When He came near to the gate of the city, behold there was a dead man carried out, which was the only son of his mother and she was a widow and much people of the city was with her.

And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said unto her; Weep not.” (Luke 7:11-13)

118.

“And went and touched the coffin and they that carried him stood still.

And He said; Young man, I say unto you, arise.

And the dead sat up and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.” (Luke 7:14-15)

119.

This is Jesus.

Love manifested.

120.

We could continue for hours, looking at how Jesus walked around and showed us a love that is far beyond what we as humans can understand.

The “love of Christ, which love passes knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19)

121.

A love that is worth both living and dying for.

122.

When Peter is telling “Cornelius, a captain of the soldiers of Italy” (Acts 10:1) about his best friend Jesus, he tells about the Man that “went about doing good and healing all” (Acts 10:38)

No wonder that the apostle Paul exclaims; “But God which is rich in mercy, through His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead by sin” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

123.

This is my best Friend.

The Person I want you to know.

124.

Jesus, the Person which love is so great, that a countless number of people over the centuries have given all their lives here on earth to Him

and where many happily have gone to their deaths as martyrs, murdered for their love to

Him that died for them, so they could live for ever.

125.

We know for example that when the Apostle Andrew was killed, the proconsul charged and commanded Andrew not to teach and preach such things any more, or if he did, that he should be fastened to the cross with all speed.

Andrew answered that;

I would not have preached the honour and glory of the cross, if I had feared the death of the cross.

126.

Andrew when coming to the place and seeing the cross prepared, did not change neither countenance nor colour, neither did he fail in his speech, his body fainted not, neither did his mind fail him,

but out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth did speak, and a fervent love appeared in his voice, when saying;

Oh, cross most welcome and long looked for, with a willing mind, joyfully and desirously I come to you,

being the scholar of Him who hang on you. Because I have always been your lover and have longed to embrace you.

127.

After this a countless number of Christians have died for their love to Jesus, including William Tyndale who translated the first Bible to English from Greek, who was burned in 1536.

John Foxe tells us that before William Tyndale was strangled and burned, at the stake, he cried with a fervent zeal, and a loud voice: “Lord open the King of England’s eyes.”

Many, many, many others have been burned, drowned, crucified or murdered in another way,

for their love to the Man that first loved them.

128.

Yes, Him who loved us with a love so deep and strong that people would rather die than loose that love.

129.

This is the love of Jesus, the love so great that no words can describe it.

130.

But His love didn’t stop there.

Finally, after around three and a half years, the time had come when Jesus would take the penalty for our sins and voluntarily go to the cross.

131.

Jesus was of course in full control.

He knew exactly the plan and that if He didn't do this – we would have been lost for ever.

So in John chapter 14-16 we read His beautiful farewell speech, giving us instructions for our time here on earth and again showing His great love to us.

And in John chapter 17 He prays to the Father – for us.

132.

Later the same night, they came to arrest Jesus, but of course, they stood no chance in arresting Him, so as “soon as He had said unto them;

I am, they went backwards and fell to the ground.” (John 18:6)

Jesus could easily have left, whilst they all were lying knocked out on the ground – but this was the reason why He had come.

Jesus clearly showed them, that there was no way that they could take Him.

133.

He could have kept them knocked out on the ground for hours – had He wanted.

But Jesus wanted to save us from hell, even though it came at a terrible price for Himself.

Jesus waited for them and when they finally had gotten themselves back on their feet, they arrested Jesus.

134.

Peter decided that he anyway wanted to defend Jesus so he

“drew his sword and stroked a servant of the high priest and smote of his ear.” (Matthew 26:51)

But Jesus told Peter;
“Put up your sword into its sheath. For all that lay hand on the sword, shall perish with the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

And continues;
“Or do you think that I cannot pray My Father and He shall give Me more than twelve legions of angels?

But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, for so must it be.” (Matthew 26:53-54)

(1 legion = around 5 000, so that would be over 60 000 angels.)

135.

Even at this special moment Jesus is so loving and heals the person that Peter had struck with the sword, yes; “He touched his ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:51)

136.

Voluntarily Jesus goes with them, knowing very well, that this is why He has come to earth.

As Jesus already had said; “I put My life from Me, that I might take it again.

No man takes it from Me, but I put it away of Myself.” (John 10:17-18)

137.

Now God Himself will die for the sins of us all and will take our penalty.

138.

What the loving and 100% innocent Jesus then goes through – for us,

is hard reading.

139.

First, He was taken to the religious leaders where “they all gave sentence that He was worthy of death.” (Mark 14:64)

“And some began to spit on Him and to cover His face, and to beat Him with fists and to say unto Him; prophesy unto us. And the servants buffeted Him on the face.” (Mark 14:65)

The guilty sinners – hitting their Creator.

140.

They more than deserved that Jesus had showed His power and sent them to hell immediately;

and of course as we saw when Jesus showed that they could not take Him - by sending them all to the ground when they came to take Him – Jesus could at any moment have sent them all dead to the ground,

– but this was why He had come.

If He had not died for us – we would all have gone to hell.

141.

Jesus is then taken to the political and military ruler, Pilate that of course concludes that Jesus is innocent saying;

”I find no fault in this Man.” (Luke 23:4)

Jesus is then sent to the puppet king Herod, “And Herod, with his men of war, despised Him and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in white and sent Him again to Pilate.” (Luke 23:11)

142.

“And Pilate called together the high priests, and the rulers, and the people, and said unto them; You have brought this Man unto me, as one that perverted the people.

And behold, I have examined Him before you and

found no fault in this Man, of those things whereof you accuse Him.

No, neither did Herod.

For I sent you to him,

and look, no thing worthy of death is done to Him. I will therefore chasten Him and let Him loose.” (Luke 23:13-16)

The judgment is clear – Jesus is 100% innocent. There is no fault in Him.

143.

However “all the people cried at once, saying; away with Him and deliver to us Barabbas, which for insurrection made in the city, and murder, was cast into prison.” (Luke 23:18-19)

“Pilate spoke again to them, wanting to let Jesus loose.” (Luke 23:20)

144.

“And they cried, saying; crucify Him; crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21)

Pilate then; “said unto them the third time; What evil has He done?

I find no cause of death in Him.

I will therefore chasten Him, and let Him go loose.” (Luke 23:22)

145.

“And they cried the more saying; let Him be crucified.

When Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but that more tumult was made, he took water and washed his hands before the people saying; I am innocent of the blood of this just Person, and that you shall see.

Then answered all the people, and said; His blood fall on us, and on our children.” (Matthew 27:23-25)

146.

“Then let he Barabbas loose unto them, and scourged Jesus, and delivered Him to be
crucified.” (Matthew 27:26)

The “soldiers of the deputy took Jesus unto the common hall, and gathered unto Him all the company.

And they stripped Him, and put on Him a purple robe,

and plaited a crown of thorns and put upon His head, and a reed in His right hand. And bowed their knees before Him, and mocked Him, saying; hail King of the Jews, and spitted upon Him, and took the reed and smote Him on the head.

And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him again, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.” (Matthew 27:27-31)

147.

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the evil doers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” (Luke 23:33)

Now Jesus says these famous words; “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

148.

The Romans used to write an inscription on the cross, giving the accusation for which someone was crucified.

Pilate, realizing that Jesus was indeed innocent, he himself

“wrote His title, and put it on the cross. The writing was:

Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

This title read many of the Jews. For the place where Jesus was crucified, was near to the city. And it was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. Then said the high priests of the Jews to Pilate; write not, King of the Jews, but that He said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered; What I have written, that have I written.” (John 19:19-22)

149.

That Jesus was the true King of the Jews was of course completely true and we know from Matthew 1:1-16 that Joseph was the direct descendent from David, and likely should have been the real king, had it not been for the puppet king Herod, and in Luke 3:23-38 we see what must be the lineage of Mary as a direct descendent from David, through another of David’s sons.

150.

“And they that went by, railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying; a wretch, You that destroy the temple and build it in three days. Save Yourself, and come down from the cross.

Likewise also mocked Him the high priests among themselves with the scribes, and said; He saved other men, Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” (Mark 15:29-32)

151.

Jesus could at any moment have ended this, and showed His glory,

and sent them all dead to the ground, but then we would all have gone to hell.

152.

Even on the cross, Jesus showed His enormous love and saved one of the two criminals that were being crucified with Him, when this happened;

“Then one of the malefactors which hanged, railed on Him, saying; If You be Christ save Yourself and us.

The other answered and rebuked him saying; Neither fear you God because you are in the same damnation? We are righteously punished, for we receive according to our deeds:

But this Man has done no thing amiss.” (Luke 23:39-41)

153.

“And he said unto Jesus;

Lord remember me when You come into Your kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him;

Verily I say unto you, today shall you be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

154.

What a love!

Whilst the guilty sinners blasphemed God Himself, voluntarily giving His life on the cross for their sins

– He was busy saving another soul from hell.

155.

This is a love so great that the words end.

156.

This was truly the darkest hour on earth and indeed;

“it was about the sixth hour. And there came a darkness over all the land, until the ninth hour, and the sun was darkened.” (Luke 23:44-45)  

(Sixth hour = 12:00, ninth hour = 15:00)

157.

Jesus is so full of love.

As the firstborn, Jesus had the duty to care for His mother and Jesus took care of this as well on the cross;

“When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple standing whom He loved, He said unto His mother; Woman behold your son.

Then said He to the disciple; Behold your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her for his own.” (John 19:26-27)

158.

Finally, the moment had come when; “He said; It is finished, and bowed His head, and gave up the Spirit.” (John 19:30)

And the price was paid.

The way to heaven was now open.

Salvation was now available.

159.

As Peter writes about Jesus that He “bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we should be delivered from sin and should live in righteousness.

By whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

160.

In the temple there was a thick veil.

It is said to have been so strong that 10 pairs of oxen could not tear it apart, and it was in front of the “holiest of all” in the temple.

161.

When Jesus died

“the veil of the temple was rent in two parts from the top to the bottom” (Matthew 27:51)

for now the way to the real Holiest of All in heaven was finally open.

162.

In the letter to the Hebrews we get an in-depth insight about what happened, as Jesus;

“neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered once for all into the Holy place, and found eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)

Redemption for us!

163.

And we see that “How much more shall the blood of Christ (which through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to God) purge our consciences from dead works, for to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14)

And we know that “Christ is not entered into the holy places, that are made with hands, which are but similitudes of true things, but is entered into very heaven, for to appear now in the sight of God for us.

Not to offer Himself often, as the high priest enters in to the holy place every year with strange blood, for then must He have often suffered since the world began.

But now in the end of the world, has He appeared once for all, to put sin to flight, by the offering up of Himself.” (Hebrews 9:24-26)

164.

“And as it is appointed unto men that they shall once die, and then comes the judgment, even so Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

165.

The price was paid.

It was finished!

Salvation is now available.

166.

The darkest hour had now turned to salvation and freedom “and the earth did quake, and the stones did rent, and graves did open,

and the bodies of many saints which slept, arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and came into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:51-53)

167.

This crucifixion was by no means like a normal crucifixion that the soldiers probably had witnessed many times so “When the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things which happened, they feared greatly saying;

Of a surety, this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54)

168.

Joseph from Arimathea took the body “and put it in his new tomb, which he had hewn out even in the rock, and rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and departed.” (Matthew 27:60)

169.

The chief priests and pharisees knew that Jesus had said that He would rise on the third day, so “the high priests and pharisees got themselves to Pilate, and said; Sir, we remember, that this deceiver said while He was yet alive.

After three days I will arise again,  

command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest peradventure His disciples come, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from death,” (Matthew 27:62-64)

“Pilate said unto them; Take watchmen. Go and make it as sure as you can. They went and made the tomb secure with watchmen, and sealed the stone.” (Matthew 27:65-66)

170.

We know that Jesus had already raised people from the dead many times, and death has no chance against God, as it is written;

“For likewise as the Father raises up the dead, and makes them alive,

even so the Son makes alive whom He will.” (John 5:21)

171.

So might I guess, from the answer of Pilate, that he knew very well, that there was no way that they would be able to prevent Jesus from rising from the dead.

Yes indeed; “it was impossible that He [Jesus] should be held of it [death].” (Acts 2:24)

172.

So on the third day, Jesus “Christ was raised up from death by the glory of the Father” (Romans 6:4)

173.

Looking at the details we see that on the third day; “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary  came to see the tomb.” (Matthew 28:1)

“And behold there was a great earthquake. For the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

And for fear of him the keepers were stunned, and became as dead men.” (Matthew 28:2-4)

174.

“The angel answered, and said to the women; Fear you not. I know that you seek Jesus which was crucified.

He is not here, He is risen as He said.

Come, and see the place where the Lord was put.

And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from death.” (Matthew 28:5-7)

175.

“And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them saying;

Greetings! They came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him.

Then said Jesus unto them; Be not afraid. Go and tell My brethren, that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me.” (Matthew 28:9-10)

176.

After this Jesus “appeared unto two of them in a another figure, as they walked, and went into the country.” (Mark 16:12)

Jesus spoke with them for a while and then left and “they rose up the same hour, and returned again to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, which said;

The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.” (Luke 24:33-34)

177.

“And they told what was done in the way, and how they knew Him, by the breaking of bread.

As they thus spoke, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them; Peace be with you.” (Luke 24:35-36)

178.

Yes He; “showed Himself alive, after His suffering by many proofs, appearing unto them forty days, and speaking unto them of the kingdom of God,” (Acts 1:3)

179.

This is beautifully presented by Peter to the Roman centurion when saying;

“how God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit, and with power, He went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed with devils, for God was with Him.

And we are witnesses of all things which He did in the land of the Jews and at Jerusalem, whom they slew, and hung on tree.

Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly,” (Acts 10:38-40)

180.

“not to all the people, but unto us, witnesses chosen before of God, which ate and drank with Him, after He arose from death.

And He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify, that it is He that is ordained of God a judge of living and dead.

To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name shall receive remission of sins, all that believe in Him.” (Acts 10:41-43)

181.

And by Paul in Antioch in Pisidia when saying;

“And when they found no cause of death in Him, yet desired they Pilate to kill Him. And when they had fulfilled all that were written of Him, they took Him down from the tree and put Him in a tomb.

But God raised Him again from death” (Acts 13:28-30)

182.

“and He was seen many days of them, which came with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, which are His witnesses unto the people.

And we declare unto you, how that the promise made unto the fathers, God has fulfilled unto us their children,

in that He raised up Jesus again,

even as it is written in the second psalm, You are My Son, this day have I begotten You.” (Acts 13:31-33)

183.

Yes, “God raised Him again from death” so we can live with Him forever.

184.

And Paul continues;

“Wherefore He says also in another place,

You shall not suffer Your Holy to see corruption.” (Acts 13:35)

185.

And continues; “But He, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

Be it known unto you therefore, you men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.

And by Him are all that believe, justified from all things from the which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:37-39)

186.

What a love.

What a great love.

How true it is that;

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that none that believes in Him should perish, but should have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

187.

You might say; “Man this is fantastic.

That Jesus would die for me a sinner.

What shall I do to be saved?”

188.

Well, we have spent some time to see the great Salvation work and the enormous love of God.

Now is the question, “How do I get saved?” and again, this is too important to try to answer in just a few sentences.

Salvation

As we already understand from what Jesus did for us,

God our Saviour, “will have all men saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

190.

We really do not deserve it, but God is so fantastic and wants all of us to be saved.

191.

“This is wonderful”, you might say;

“So will then every one get saved?”

192.

Jesus was asked a question on the same theme when one said “unto Him; Lord, are there few that shall be saved?

And He said unto them; Strive with yourselves to enter in through the narrow gate. For many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:23-24)

193.

And further;

“Enter in through the narrow  gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be, which go in thereat.

For narrow is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be, that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

194.

Now these people knew what a narrow gate was.

Maybe the wall was old and partly had collapsed, so there now only was a narrow gate left.

Maybe they could not build it wider.

There is a saying that there was a gate in Jerusalem that was so narrow that a camel could only get through it if all load was unloaded, and the camel went through it on its knees.

195.

So when Jesus says;

“Strive with yourselves to enter in through the narrow gate. For many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able”

this does not at all imply that some cannot get through it.

196.

As I said, these persons knew what a narrow gate was.

All humans are about the same size, so if one person could get through it, everyone could. (Maybe if someone was very fat, maybe he needed to lose some weight first, but then he could get through it.)

So it cannot mean that one person can get through it and another cannot.

197.

But, if the gate is narrow enough, a person cannot get through it with a load, but must leave everything behind to get through.

Jesus has told us, that this is how narrow the gate is.

No one can get through it without leaving all load behind.

198.

But everyone can choose to leave everything and follow Jesus and “Give All the Heart”, and then they are through the narrow gate.

199.

And God our Saviour, “will have all men saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

200.

But not everyone wants to leave everything and “Give All the Heart” and follow Jesus.

And the person that is not willing to leave everything and “Give All the Heart” and follow Jesus, “shall not be able” to get through the narrow gate.

201.

And that it has to be a full commitment is obvious.

If you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, or a husband or a wife, you do expect them to give 100% to you.  

No one would accept that their husband / wife / boyfriend / girlfriend spent 29 days a month with them and then 1 day with another partner.

It has to be a 100% commitment.

Both have to “Give All the Heart” to each other. Otherwise the relation will not last long.

202.

And we have seen that Jesus has already given 100%.

Yes, what He has given to us is so much more than we could ever give to Him.

203.

For us to then “Give All the Heart” to Him, is a very small thing.

That is the very least we can do, and nothing else will do.

204.

You might say, “Yes, I understand the logic, but is it in the Bible?”

205.

Of course.

Let’s look at what the Bible says.

206.

“There went a great company with Him, and He turned and said unto them;

If a man comes to Me, and does not hate his father and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, moreover and his own life, he cannot be My disciple.

And whosoever does not bear his cross, and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:25-27)

207.

“Which of you is he that is disposed to build a tower, and sits not down before and counts the cost, whether he has sufficient to perform it?

Lest after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to perform it, all that behold it, begin to mock him saying; This man began to build, and was not able to make an end.

Or what king goes to make battle against another king, and sits not down first, and casts in his mind, whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand, or else while the other is yet a great way off, he will send ambassadors, and desire peace.

So likewise, none of you, that does not forsake all that he has, can be My disciple.” (Luke 14:28-33)

208.

Here we see that Jesus points out that “whosoever does not bear his cross, and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

209.

This was in Roman times.

Everyone had probably seen people carry their cross, and that was the last thing they did, for they carried their cross to the crucifixion place, and carried it to die.

210.

Jesus tells us, that in order to be able to follow Him we have to be prepared to die for Him every day.

He died for us.

Of course, we have to be ready to die for Him.

And over the years, many Christians have.

211.

Jesus is also telling us not to take this decision lightly when saying;

“Which of you is he that is disposed to build a tower, and sits not down before and counts the cost, whether he has sufficient to perform it?

Lest after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to perform it, all that behold it, begin to mock him saying; This man began to build, and was not able to make an end.

Or what king goes to make battle against another king, and sits not down first, and casts in his mind, whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand, or else while the other is yet a great way off, he will send ambassadors, and desire peace.”

212.

And then points out;
“So likewise, none of you, that does not forsake all that he has, can be My disciple.”

Jesus is pointing out that unless we forsake all that we have – we cannot be His disciples.

Cannot.

213.

So the message is clear. We have to be ready to die for Jesus every day and we have to forsake all that we have.

And again, to “Give All the Heart” is the obvious thing to do, so this is not to ask anything big at all.

214.

And Jesus is not only saying it here, so let’s look at some more examples;

“He that loves his father, or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me.

And he that loves his son, or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me.

And he that does not take his cross and follow Me, is not worthy of Me.

He that finds his life, shall lose it, and he that loses his life for My sake, shall find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39)

215.

And again;

“Jesus then said to His disciples; If any man will follow Me,

let him forsake himself, and take his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

216.

And here Jesus is telling us of the necessity to stand up for Him,

even if it would cost us our lives, when saying;

“What I tell you in darkness, that speak you in light. And what you hear in the ear, that preach you on the house tops.

And fear you not them which kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul.

But rather fear Him, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:27-28)

217.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And none of them does fall on the ground, without your Father.

And now are all the hairs of your head numbered.

Fear you not therefore, you are of more value, than many sparrows.

Whosoever therefore knowledges Me before men, him will I knowledge before My Father in heaven.

But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:29-33)

218.

And again;

“And He said to them all; If any man will come after Me,

let him deny himself, and take his cross on him daily, and follow Me.

Whosoever will save his life, shall lose it.

And whosoever shall lose his life, for My sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)

219.

“For what shall it advantage a man, to win the whole world, if he loses himself, or damages himself?

For whosoever is ashamed of Me, and of My words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He comes in His own glory, and in the glory of His Father, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:25-26)

220.

As we see – Jesus says: “daily”, when He says;

“let him deny himself, and take his cross on him daily, and follow Me.”

This is a daily thing.

Every day we need to deny ourselves and take up our crosses, and follow Him who died that we might live.

221.

We have now seen that to follow Jesus, we have to do the obvious,

– “Give All the Heart”.

222.

“I got it”, you might say. “Of course, we have to give 100% back.

So how do I get saved?

I Give All the Heart to Jesus, right?”

223.

Yes, that’s it.

To Give All the Heart to Jesus really takes care of all.

It is such a simple thing, yet at the same time, it means so much.

When you Give All the Heart to Jesus – then of course He is your Lord.

When you Give All the Heart – you want to obey Jesus and follow Him, and you want to do what He wants.

When you Give All the Heart – you want to quit all things that does not please Him.

224.

You might say; “Yes, that is rather obvious.

If you mean business, I should add.

I guess today people are used to short term commitments, and might have a very shallow dedication when they say that they give their hearts to someone.

That will not work with Jesus, right?”

225.

You are right.

Jesus knows our hearts and He will not accept anything but 100% as we have seen where Jesus said;

“And whosoever does not bear his cross, and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

And; “So likewise, none of you, that does not forsake all that he has, can be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33)

226.

And we know that Jesus talks about people, that surely must believe that they are Christians, but not are going to heaven when saying;

“Not all they that say unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does My Father’s will which is in heaven.

Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not in Your name prophesied?

And in Your name have we not cast out devils? And in Your name have we not done many miracles?

And then will I confess unto them, that I never knew them. Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity!” (Matthew 7:21-23)

227.

They thought that they were Christians, but Jesus said that they are not, but are people that are “workers of iniquity.”

Clearly they did not have a 100% commitment to follow Jesus and did not obey Jesus as Lord,

whilst they fooled themselves to believe that they were Christians, even calling Him Lord, Lord, and they are apparently shocked that Jesus is sending them to hell.

228.

As we have seen, Jesus strongly warns us not to do anything but a 100% commitment,

as that is what we have to do to get into heaven.

229.

This was also how the first Christians lived.

We see that on the day of Pentecost “there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

Around three thousand persons gave their hearts to Jesus.

What did this mean?

Was it just a simple modern style “light-weight commitment”?

230.

No, not at all.

Contrary, we read that; “all that believed kept themselves together, and had all things common. And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and broke bread in every house,
and ate their meat together with gladness, and singleness of heart, praising God” (Acts 2:44-47)

231.

What we see here is a 100% commitment – it was not a vague thing.

It was a full commitment to Jesus.

232.

And when Peter and John were arrested we read;

“As they spoke unto the people, the priests and the ruler of the temple, and the sadducees came upon them, taking grievously that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from death.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold until the next day.” (Acts 4:1-3)

233.

These were the leaders of the country.

They had just killed Jesus so it would be easy to conclude that they might easily decide to kill them as well.

“And they called them, and commanded them that in no wise they should speak or teach in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:18)

234.

However Peter and John answered them, knowing very well that this might cost them their lives;

“whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you more than God, judge you.

For we cannot but speak that which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

235.

They were released, but instead of quitting in order to save their lives they gathered and prayed;

“And now Lord behold their threatenings, and grant unto Your servants with all confidence to speak Your word. So that You stretch forth Your hand that healing, and signs, and wonders be done by the name of Your Holy Child Jesus.

And as soon as they had prayed, the place moved where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,

and they spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:29-31)

236.

This is 100% commitment.

They know very well that the leaders are really unhappy and in their hearts want to kill them -  and have commanded them to stop.

But instead of stopping, they obey Jesus – even if they might be killed for it.

237.

A little later the apostles were arrested and now, when “they heard that, they clave asunder, and sought means to slay them.” (Acts 5:33)

Now they definitely want to kill them.

However an older well regarded member of their council asks them to hold off from it, so this time they decide against it, so they “called the apostles,

and beat them, and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

And they departed from the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for His name.” (Acts 5:40-41)

238.

Now the threat of death if continuing is really serious.

Did this get them to stop?

No, contrary, “daily in the temple, and in every house they ceased not, teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42)

“And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly. And a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7)

239.

And sure enough, soon the first Christian was killed when; “they stoned Stephen calling on and saying; Lord Jesus receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59)

240.

And then the first apostle was killed when Herod the king “killed James the brother of John with the sword.” (Acts 12:2)

241.

It was a heavy price to pay to be a Christian, and we clearly see that they had a 100% commitment to follow Jesus, and have Him as Lord, and at the end every apostle except John, died for their belief in Jesus.

242.

This is what it is to “Give All the Heart” to Jesus.

When you commit to Jesus, He is your Lord and you obey Him even if you will be murdered for your belief in Jesus.

243.

Paul was another apostle that lived his life for Jesus and at the end died for his belief in and love to Jesus, being murdered by the emperor.

God used Paul to write many letters to help other Christians and in them we get a picture of the commitment that he had to Jesus and which we all are instructed to have, so let us look at Paul a little.

244.

Paul was a really up and coming man in Jerusalem before he became a Christian.

He had it really made, from this world’s perspective.

But when he met Jesus, nothing of this had any value any more.

245.

He testifies; “But the things that were winning unto me, I counted loss for Christ’s sake.

Yea I think everything but loss for that excellent knowledge’s sake of Christ Jesus my Lord.

For whom I have counted everything loss, and do judge them but dung,

that I might win Christ,” (Philippians 3:7-8)

246.

Yes he counted “everything but loss for that excellent knowledge’s sake of Christ Jesus” his Lord.

And he judged all this world had to offer as dung – because he wanted to win Christ.

247.

This is the commitment we all need to have.

A 100% dedication to Jesus.

To “Give All the Heart” to Him, who first loved us.

248.

Looking again at what Jesus said when He said; “So likewise, none of you, that does not forsake all that he has, can be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33)

Again, this was when a handshake was a handshake and people meant business.

To forsake all and follow Jesus shall therefore not be understood as just a mere action.

249.

People can do big sacrifices, but if it is not from the heart, it is not really worth anything as it is written;

“And though I bestowed all my goods to feed the poor, and though I gave my body even that I burned, and yet had no love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Nothing!

250.

And as we all know, love is not an action, but an inner attitude from the heart.

And God really points out that actions alone are not enough when telling us that it doesn't work the way a man sees. A man sees what is before his eyes;

“but the Lord looks upon the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

251.

So when Jesus said; “So likewise, none of you, that does not forsake all that he has, can be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33),

we know that it has to be done from the heart.

Not just actions, but an inner attitude.

252.

Just as we see with Paul when he says; “I think everything but loss for that excellent knowledge’s sake of Christ Jesus my Lord.”

And continues; “I have counted everything loss, and do judge them but dung, that I might win Christ,” (Philippians 3:8)

Paul talks about his inner attitude.

The attitude in his heart.

He wanted to win Christ.

253.

So, the picture from the Bible is overwhelmingly clear.

To be a Christian, is to have Jesus as Lord.

100%.

And to follow Him even if it would cost me my life.

254.

It is simply to “Give All the Heart” to Jesus and mean business.

100%.

255.

If you are ready to follow Jesus.

If you mean business.

100%.

256.

Then now is a good time to Give all your Heart to Jesus and make Him your Lord.

257.

He is not far away, but very close and will hear every word you say.

He loves you enough to die for you.

258.

If you are not yet ready – don’t rush it.

Do as Jesus said and count the cost.

Take your time until you are ready to Give All your Heart to Him that died that you might live.

Use days, use weeks, take the time you need – but don’t put it to the side and put the decision off – but work on it, until you have made a decision either way.

259.

I remember a classmate that told me when we were 17 years old:

“I know you are right.

I know I need to make Jesus my Lord, but I am young. I want to live life first. But I promise you – when I am 70, I will make Jesus my Lord”.

260.

I replied, “You will not.

If you say No to Jesus now, your heart will be hardened and you will never make Jesus your Lord when you are old.”

261.

The Bible says:

“today if you will hear His voice,

harden not your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7)

262.

Now you have heard and know the way to heaven – To Give All the Heart to Jesus.

As said, if you are not ready – take your time, and use the time you need to think about it –

but don’t put it to the side for weeks and months,

because then your heart will be hardened and you will not choose Jesus and heaven anyway.

263.

Plainly said, putting it to the side, when you have heard His voice,

is in reality the same as deciding for a No,

to the One that loved you so much, that He died for you, that you might live.

264.

To put it to the side, thinking that “I will think about it later”, is a trap to get you to never make the decision.

At the same time, it is in itself a decision to keep it as it is, without having Given All the Heart to Jesus.

So it is in reality a No to Jesus.

265.

So my advice is strongly not to put it to the side – but if you are not ready, think on it, work on it – yes, let working on it be your top priority – until you make a decision either way.

(If you are not ready, you might now skip down a little.)

266.

You might say; “I am ready. How do I do it?”

267.

There are many ways, but the basics of them all are the same.

To Give All the Heart to Jesus and mean it.

268.

One way you can do is to say – “Jesus, You are my Lord, I will follow You” – and mean it.

269.

If you just did – welcome to the family.

270.

The Bible says “whosoever believes on Him, shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:11)

And “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Jesus said; “and him that comes to Me, I cast not out.” (John 6:37)

271.

And further Jesus says;

“And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.

My Father which gave Me them, is greater then all,

and no man is able to take them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29)

272.

God wants to be the Father that you maybe never had.

And so much better than any human father can be.

Jesus wants to be your friend.

A Friend so much better than any human friend can be.

273.

“What do I do now?” you might ask.

274.

Start spending time with Jesus.

Speak to Him as if He was your best friend, because He really is.

275.

Speak to God as your Father. A Father that really cares and really loves you.

276.

Start reading the New Testament in the Bible.

The Gospel of John is a good place to start.

277.

Please get in touch with us.

We don’t want your money and do not accept any donations.

But we do care and want to help.

278.

This is the beginning, not the end.

Now you have a wonderful life ahead of you, but not a dance on roses.

279.

Some friends might be very interested and also decide to follow Jesus.

Some might not want to be your friend any more.

280.

There will be trials, there will be challenges, but you will never be alone anymore.

Jesus will always be with you.

281.

You are now a pilgrim on a journey to heaven.

Time on earth is just for a short time, so we need to use it wisely and make spending time with Jesus, both speaking with Him and reading His word, our top priority.

282.

Again, welcome to the family, please contact us, and live daily with and for the One that died that we might live – our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Messiah.

283.

Back to you that are not yet ready.

We care about you and are happy to help.

Please contact us with any questions and we will do our best to answer.

284.

For you that just made heaven your new home and for you that are not yet ready:

To contact us – see below.

285.

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