April 9, 2010
by David Bell
“This morning we are reading from the book of John the things that Jesus suffered for us. We read that He knew ahead of time what He was going to suffer at the hands of His enemies before it happened.
“In our weekly Bible study we have recently studied how Jesus became a person like us with a body, with blood, with feelings of pain and hunger. His suffering was real. Here in John we learn that even though He knew beforehand what was going to happen to Him, He endured it because that is what His Father told Him to do. The One who suffered for us is so kind to us.
“We would think it was wonderful if our village leader gave us a large amount of things for free. But God has given us His Son. I used to think, ‘I’ll never be the man God wants me to be. I just don’t have it in me. The bad things I’m attracted to in this world are just too many. There are bad habits I can’t break. I’ll never be a good man.’
“I know many of you think the same way about yourselves. If you listen closely, you will find that God is telling you the same thing. ‘No, you will never be good enough on your own.’ That’s why I am so happy with Jesus. You also will be happy. This happiness will never run out.
“This day when we remember the resurrection of Jesus is a happy day for us. There are some of you who aren’t happy. Let me tell you why I am happy with Jesus. By means of Him, His Father now looks at me as though I were a good man. I rest in the happiness of knowing that. There is no more ‘What’s going to happen to me? My life is not good. God’s probably going to throw me away in the big fire.’ No more thinking like that.
“I rest with Jesus, the One who suffered in my place. Now I am a happy person. You also must listen well to His teaching.”
Herman and another Bible teacher, Mario, have finished teaching the Old Testament portion of evangelistic Bible lessons and are now teaching about the person and work of Christ.
- Herman teaching his own people