Pondering Jesus

  

With Easter approaching I’ve been pondering Jesus a lot.

Why Jesus? Why one way to God? And why did He make achieving heaven so simple? Why not Hinduism, Buddhism or the Muslim faith?

I started my research by purchasing a copy of the Koran, the authentic version translated directly by an Egyptian Muslim scholar. I learned Muslims can never have a personal relationship with Allah. Even in heaven they must worship from afar. Years ago my psych training taught me each person has an innate desire to be loved. A human being can never love us as selflessly as we long for, but neither can the Muslim god.

Respected Muslim writings report that, after Mohammed said he supposedly heard from an angel, afterwards he wasn’t sure he’d heard from God. Mohammed had repeated suicidal thoughts, encouraged murder of his enemies, built his following by military maneuvers and married a nine-year-old girl. This doesn’t sound to me like a joyful, fulfilled  life.

In Buddhism, ultimate reality is an abstract void called nirvana reached through an Eightfold Path of removing all attachment or desire in yourself. Then all suffering ends as does all desire. Yet humans are created with sensory nerves, millions in our skin, capable of pleasure. Why would the goal of life be to negate all desire? Nirvana doesn't seem feasible or desirable either.

Hinduism requires that I renounce my personality, my individuality, to enter into oneness with the universe.  This claims there’s no Creator, the universe is an extension of a universal force called Braham which is eternal. Yet all scientific evidence points to the fact that the universe had a distinct beginning and winds down continually. Also Braham says there is no distinct right or wrong, yet humans are highly moral beings. All societies, even primitive ones, have moral codes.

Summing up, Hindus can never know how many lifetimes it will take to achieve karma. Who could stand before a holy God and say they’ve done enough good deeds as Allah requires to overlook the bad ones? Other faiths believe that people will simply evolve spiritually to a great goodness. That’s a stretch. Look at all the wars, rampant immorality, lawlessness and exploitation of the poor getting worse all the time.

We’re all violators of the moral law - people separated from God lose sight of how bad sin is. A sinful world almost seems normal. Humanity destroyed our connection long ago and nothing anyone can do, giving money, helping the poor, whatever can mend the break. To make us right again Jesus took the penalty of our sin upon Himself. Why?  Because He wants us to be connected in a loving relationship with God forever. All we have to do is receive the free gift He gives. Jesus assures us of secure love forever.

Jesus kindly gave proof before expecting us to believe in Him. That’s something no other religion does - they require a blind leap of faith. Prophecies about Jesus’ coming were fulfilled, miracles performed, eye witness accounts recorded that Jesus rose from the dead. Formerly wimpy disciples bravely put their lives on the line to spread the truth about Jesus throughout the world. They still do.

"Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life"John 14:6  for each of us now and forever. We have a huge reason to thank Him this Easter Sunday and every day of our lives.

Happy Easter dearly loved family and friends.

My book Jesus Time, 365 Love Notes of Wonder and Worship will be released in April. If you'd like to participate in the launch by being one of the early readers and reviewers contact me at jwrolfs@gmail.com