The Meaning

Some visitors who took the effort to read the two previous pages (if not, please go back again *lol*) probably wonder about the meaning of the whole story. God sends His Son to earth *only* to die a horrible death after being tortured and humiliated, and to rise again just to "disappear" in heaven. While most people are able to relate something positive to the Christmas story - a child is born which usually is a reason for happiness - they take offense at the crucifixion and don't know what to think of it. Therefore I would like to explain it here.

Many people try to earn their way to salvation (whatever they understand by it). Some do good works or at least something they consider to be good, others try to pave their way by strict adherence to certain rituals. Again some believe that one cannot know where they go after their death and therefore try to live a life as fulfilled as possible - whether this means fame and fortune or sacrifice for others.

There is only one group of people who do not feel forced to do something particular to gain salvation, but who nonetheless are absolutely sure to get it, and these are the Christians. This assurance is based on the events which are told on the previous pages: the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not die a pointless death on the cross. The only innocent person who ever lived on this earth paid with this for the sins of all other people. The only thing which a person must do to stand sinless before God is to accept this sacrifice for oneself. That's all!

Now many people will wonder why it is considered so important by Christians to live according to the Bible. After all, it is of no use, as one is already saved. This is easy to understand: Jesus died this horrible death for us to prevent us from suffering an even more horrible fate. Therefore we owe Him a lot. Strictly spoken we will never be able to pay off this debt. The only thing we can do is to let ourselves guide by Him and to behave in such a way that we are not a disgrace to Him. However, even a very "biblical" behavior does not bring us one step closer to heaven. We are saved only by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and no ritual and no good work can contribute anything to our salvation. A "Mother Teresa" hasn't got more chances than a simple Christian who probably struggles daily with his small and larger offenses.

This makes life as a Christian both easy and difficult. Easy, because we can rely on God's promise, and difficult, because sometimes we prefer to have our own way instead of following God's will. Therefore the Bible compares being a Christian with the birth and development of a child. A baby grows slowly into his new environment and learns bit by bit to be a part of society - and most children go through one or more "defiant phases". Even an "adult" Christian always has to keep the goal in mind, so that he doesn't get diverted from it.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.
He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:22-26 NIV

Many Thanks to
Frank Ulrich
for the revision
of the text

Last update: January 21, 2009