How did Jesus die for me?
Q: My friend keeps telling me that Jesus died for me, but I don't understand what she means. I didn't grow up in a religious family, and I'm embarrassed I don't understand her. -- Mrs. D.N.
A: Be grateful for your friend's concern -- but don't be embarrassed if you don't understand what she's talking about. Elsewhere you state that you'd like to understand -- and I believe the reason is because in your heart you have a hunger for God. I pray you won't reject that hunger. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
What does your friend mean when she says Jesus died for you? Let me summarize it this way. First, it means that we are by nature separated from God. God created us, and He wants to be our friend -- but we have ignored Him and gone our own way (which is what the Bible calls "sin"). As a result, we are separated from God.
But second, God doesn't want us to be separated from Him! He loves us, and He wants to forgive us and cleanse us and restore us -- and that's why Jesus Christ came into the world. He was God in human flesh, and He came for one reason: to bring us back to God. He did this by becoming the final sacrifice for our sins through His death on the cross. Yes, Jesus died for us!
Finally, we must respond to what God has done for us. We must believe Christ died and rose again, and we must commit our lives to Him as our Savior and Lord. And that's what I urge you to do today. God's promise is for you: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).
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(Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.)
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