At the heart of the Christian faith is not an idea, a rule or an institution, but a Person: Jesus Christ. Adventists believe that He is the eternal Son of God, who became human, lived a sinless life, died for us, rose again and will soon return. Anyone who wants to know God needs to look at Jesus.
God came close to us
The Gospel of John describes the greatest miracle in history: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). God did not watch us from far away; He came into our world and knew tiredness, pain and temptation. That is why the Bible assures us that we have a Saviour who understands us: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15).
A love that gives itself
The life of Jesus reached its climax at the cross, where He showed how much God loves us. Perhaps the best-known verse in the Bible says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). And His invitation remains open to anyone who feels worn out by life: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
A promise for the future
The story of Jesus does not end at the empty tomb. Before ascending to heaven, He made a promise that gives hope to every believer: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3). The name “Adventist” comes from this very hope in Christ’s return.
Jesus and the people others avoided
One of the most beautiful things about Jesus is the way He drew close to people on the margins. He talked with a Samaritan woman at a well, touched lepers, ate with tax collectors and took children in His arms. When religious leaders complained, Jesus explained the purpose of His coming: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10).
No one is too far away for Jesus. Whatever our past, our mistakes or our doubts, He comes to meet us. The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 shows us a Father who runs towards the son returning home, not one who waits with folded arms to scold him.
The cross and the resurrection
The death of Jesus was not an accident or a defeat, but the fulfilment of the plan of salvation. The prophet Isaiah described it centuries earlier: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).
Yet the story does not end at the cross. On the morning of the first day of the week, the tomb was found empty. The resurrection of Jesus is the guarantee that death does not have the last word. He said: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25).
How we can follow Him today
Being a Christian is not just believing a few things about Jesus, but living in friendship with Him. Jesus invites us: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). We follow Him by reading His words, talking with Him in prayer and treating others the way He treated them, with patience, truth and compassion.
This friendship is not built in a day, but step by step, in the small choices of everyday life. And the good news is that we do not walk this road alone: Jesus promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age.
For reflection
What strikes you most about the way Jesus treated the people around Him? What does the promise of His return mean to you today? Read a chapter of the Gospel of John and notice how Jesus spoke with those who were searching for Him.
Bible verses are quoted from the King James Version.