IV.
The Kind of Life Jesus Gives
If we have Jesus, we have everything we really need. Listen to some other things Jesus said that make this clear:
Concerning our worrying about food, clothes and our physical needs:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
About when we are having a hard time with this life:
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. (Mt 11:28,29)
About putting the physical life before eternal life:
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mt 16:24-26)
Real Life is not a reward for work. Real Life is God’s gift, and it only comes to those who believe in Christ.
Augustine, a man who had tried all the religions on offer in his day and then came to Christ, wrote:you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they can find peace in you.”[1]
This is a piece of ‘false’ amber-resin that has hardened but is not yet fossilized. If you look closely you will see some insects trapped in it. When this resin was tree sap, these insects probably thought they had struck it rich. They came to drink the sap as food but then found themselves trapped. The sap covered them, trapped them, and killed them. If we look for life from the things of this world, we are like these insects - putting our hopes in things that will actually trap us and hurt us. Jesus would have you come to Him for real life.