By Pastor Alex Ruelo
Is Jesus really good? You cannot say or sing it unless you have experienced God’s goodness in your life. If you can tell me that God is good in the worst and darkest season in your life, then it becomes alive in your life. When you read about the miracles of Jesus in the Bible and realize that it is not happening anymore nowadays, you might think that it already stopped when He died. If you have not experienced Jesus’ goodness in your life the way the Bible tells it, then maybe Jesus is not good! Can you actually say that Jesus is good because impossible and miraculous things have happened in your life?
Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Then all of the miracles that happened during His time can still happen today and tomorrow. He is the same, the Alpha and Omega; His power has no end even when we have perished form this world.
But how is He good? Can you feel His goodness? Does it have an effect on you? How is He good in your life?
Jesus is good because He came. He went to heaven on our behalf. Hebrews 9:24-26 says, “For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Heaven is ready for you. Everyone in heaven already knows who is coming. Jesus does not need to die again and again. That one time He died for the sins of the world covers all and every wrongdoing from that time on until forever. You only have to ask for forgiveness once and He will forgive and forget. The next time you ask for forgiveness for the same sin, it is called shame. And you cannot live in shame forever. You have to live in freedom because Jesus came so you can be free. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” He came to save everyone.
Revelation 5:9 says, “And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Because of His blood, you will worship Him when you get to heaven. He saved every single one. You were not the chosen nation so you were not originally included. But because of the blood of Jesus, and because He knows that everyone is worthy, every tribe and nation may now worship God.
Jesus had compassion there He is good. Matthew. 9:36 says “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” The God that you worship is very compassionate. Jesus could have been frustrated in the story told in Matthew 9 when He saw how evil the people were. He could have ended everything and did not even need to come down to earth. He is still God even without man. It is only man who feels like God needs Him. He did not become God because people worship Him. People worship Him because He is God. Matthew 15:32 says “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” He even provides for the food that you eat everyday. Even the animals in the wild are provided for. Only man has a problem with trusting God’s provision. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Stop thinking that you are poor. Jesus came to earth and lived a poor life so that you can be rich.
Jesus is good because He invites. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He did not force you to go to Rev and attend church. You need to respond to His invitation. Many people are having a difficult time in life because they have not yet accepted Christ’s invitation. Many are stressed and depressed because they have not surrendered their burdens to Jesus. Many are still running away from Him. Call on Him and He will answer you. Revelation 3:20 says “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’’ God is simply waiting for you to come to Him. God made man with His own free will because He wants man to choose Him.
Jesus is good because He healed. Matthew 9:35 says “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”
Jesus still heals today. Healing is not just physical but encompasses a lot of things.
A. Your loneliness (1 Peter 5:7) - God wants to be in the middle of all your relationships. He designed it as a love triangle. Bring the people that you love in church.
B. Sickness of Sin (1Peter 2:24) -Many are addicted to sin. Jesus made you well by His wounds and His blood. He cleansed you from you sins.
C. Physical Ailments -
D. Emotional Wounds (3John 1:2) - A lot of people are hurting and have gone through so much pain that is damaged your mind, heart and soul. Only Jesus can heal your soul.
E. Hopelessness (Isaiah 43:2) - When you feel like you are drowning in life’s difficulties, Jesus is with you.
Romans 15:3-4 says “For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Sometimes, you have to wait. Wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
Who and what are you waiting for?
Go run to Jesus!
People will fail you. But if you run to Jesus, you will not fail. Do not own your problems.
Give your hurdens to Jesus. You keep on looking for solutions to your problems, but at the end of the day, Jesus will work it out for you.
Surrender your life to Jesus. Allow Him to work in your life. He is good even if you are not.