How Jesus brings meaning to our lives.

Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins through his sacrificial death for us on the cross (Matthew 1:21; Galatians 1:4; I Corinthians 15:3). “In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). He claimed to be “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He said that he came that we “may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). His life of love and service is an example for us. When he washed the feet of his disciples, he said, “I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you” (13:15). His commandment was that we “love one another as I have loved you” (15:12). He called his disciples by saying, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19; 9:9. Disciples of Jesus are challenged to “take his yoke upon them and learn from him” (Matthew 11:29). He is “the vine” and we are “the branches.” Our primary responsibility is to “abide in him.” He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (15:5). The Apostle Peter wrote that Jesus “left us an example that we should follow in his steps” (I Peter 2:21).

Jesus bring us into fellowship with God. Jesus shows us what it means to obey God and follow him in all things and at all costs, even if it means dying to obey God (Matthew 26:36-43). Jesus is our example in everything. Here are some things that Jesus did and taught us to do that are recorded in the four gospels: how to pray, how to love, how to forgive enemies, how to handle betrayal, how to be faithful under opposition and persecution, how to trust the Father’s will in all things, how to serve, how to treat women, the poor, and children, how to welcome foreigners and strangers, how to show compassion and mercy, how to work with others in ministry and how to care for sinners.

The Apostle Paul wrote that the church is to grow up to look like Jesus (Ephesians 4:13-16). Our lives are “hidden with Christ in God.” He is “our life” (Colossians 3:3-4). The “peace of Christ rules our hearts,” “the word of Christ dwells in us,” and whatever we do in word or deed we are to do it all in the name of Jesus Christ” (3:15-17).

He promises to “never, ever leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5). He will “be with us always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He lives in us and strengthens us through his Spirit that lives in us (Ephesians 3:16-17). When we sin and confess our sins, he is our advocate with the Father and “his blood cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:7, 9; 2:1-2). He has gone to “prepare a place for us” and he “will come again and take us to be with him forever” (John 14:1-4).