Braden Diehl is the Production Director at The Rock Church and has a passion for reaching people worldwide with the good news of the gospel through technology.
Several weeks ago, a couple of friends and I went to a college campus a few hours away with one mission: to encourage people and share the hope of Christ with broken and seeking souls. Within a short timeframe of being there and having casual conversations with people, it was clear that we were exactly where we needed to be.
We approached a conversation with a young man by simply asking if we could pray for him. Shortly after praying with him, he began to open up about the recent loss of his sister. He was very clearly hurting deep within his soul. The result? He was turning to drinking and worldly pleasures to help heal that brokenness.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
In this world, whether you’re willing to admit it or not, people are weary, anxious, afraid, and broken. Placing your trust in Jesus won’t take away the trials of life, but He will provide rest for your soul through the trials.
In Luke 19, the Bible shares the story of Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector. Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus and the restoration that He had brought to souls, and he had to get a look for himself as Jesus was coming through town. After Zacchaeus climbed up into a tree to get a better view, Jesus looked up at him and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” The Bible says that Zacchaeus came down and received Jesus gladly.
You’ll gain access to hope for this life and eternity, knowing that what’s on the other side of this life is far greater than we could ever imagine.
Later in the story, Jesus says, “Today, salvation has come to this house… for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” Zacchaeus believed in Jesus; he knew Jesus was there, but he had no relationship with Him. Amid a crowd, Jesus saw Zacchaeus and brought him salvation. Jesus sees you too, no matter who you are or what you’ve done in your life, He’s seeking you.
The Bible says in Romans 10:9, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
You will be saved simply by placing your faith in Jesus; saved from sin, spiritual death, and the judgment to come. You’ll gain access to hope for this life and eternity, knowing that what’s on the other side of this life is far greater than we could ever imagine.
When I talked with that young college student many weeks ago, I didn’t have an answer as to why he lost his sister. I didn’t have an answer as to why he has had to endure trials. But I did have a solution: accepting the free gift of salvation for true hope and peace through these circumstances. I pray that the Lord continues to work in that man’s heart, and I pray that as you read this right now, you would find that same hope and peace through Jesus.
