Have you ever found yourself deep in thought, suddenly struck by a panicked feeling about what happens after death? What will happen to us? Will we make it to heaven, or wherever our beliefs dictate? It’s a common human experience to wonder why everyone is so fascinated by the afterlife, even those who claim to have no faith.
Perhaps this is because most people, with the exception of staunch atheists and agnostics, acknowledge that there’s something, or someone, greater than themselves “out there.” Solomon recognized this innate curiosity when he wrote, “He has put eternity into man’s heart, …” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). If a higher power exists, wouldn’t you think that power would help us find it?
Well, according to Christian belief, that’s exactly what happened. Fast forward from Solomon to the apostle John, who quoted Jesus: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). This is often referred to as the good news; that Jesus is the way to salvation.
However, good news often stems from bad news. Jesus continued, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18). This is a stark warning. If one could simply erase Jesus from history, then one could ignore his admonition. That’s why his existence and divinity are constantly attacked, attempting to diminish him to something less than what he claimed to be.
Yet, buyers beware! Jesus cannot be scratched from our human record. When the day comes and we stand before the Lord in judgment, we have already condemned ourselves if we have rejected him.
Let’s end on a more positive note by rewinding history from John to the prophet Isaiah, who predicted with certainty what was yet to come: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5). Healing is offered to all, and with it, condemnation is bypassed! This offers peace of mind to those who seek it.