©Rod Smith
To many people, Jesus is just a vague, historical "religious" figure. Nothing could be further from truth. The Lord Jesus Christ has the power of Heaven and Hell in His hands. After we leave this world He will either say "Welcome," (to Heaven) or "Depart from me, I never knew you." Anyone hearing those latter words has only Hell as a destination.
Strong words? Yes, but remember what Jesus - the Son of God - did to save the soul of every human being. He was falsely accused, mocked, ridiculed, abused, spat upon. A crown of thorns was jammed upon his head. He received thirty-nine lashes of a Roman whip spiked with metal. Then He had to carry a huge wooden cross to the place of execution by crucifixion. That meant being nailed by the hands and feet to the cross, then hoisted up and left to die. Very slowly.
Why God chose such a long, lingering death for Jesus we don't know, but the Bible says He did. What makes it more significant is that Jesus knew exactly well before His trial what would happen. Imagine someone coming to you now and saying next week you would be crucified. Devastating. You wouldn't be able to sleep! That is why God withholds the future from us. In fact all that suffering Jesus underwent enhances the importance to the human race of what he did. What fools we are to scoff at and reject Jesus.
How sad it is that people think they can wave away Jesus, as they would a waiter at a high society party. Or say no, as when offered tea or coffee. "What does it matter?" they say about Jesus. "Who cares." Of course, anyone can do that. God gives us all a free will whilst we are alive. Yet to do nothing with regard to the gospel is the biggest mistake anyone can make. A person doing that automatically chooses Hell.
Friend, you must understand that God sent Jesus so that you would not have to pay the price for your sins. He paid the price for you. He suffered, bled, died (before resurrection) so your soul would be saved for eternity.
Jesus is the most important figure this world has ever seen. I beg of you, do not die rejecting the great salvation Jesus offers. Respond. Come to Him. Do it now. The Bible itself says "Do not boast about tomorrow, for we do not know what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1) It was proved on that fateful day of September 11 in New York. How to come to Jesus? The detail and the scriptures are all in HOW TO BE SAFE which is next.