Come As You Are

"So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them." (John 19:17-18)

A little over 2000 years ago, on a hill outside of Jerusalem, Jesus the Christ was crucified between two thieves. He died with those He came to save. He had often been accused by the religious folks of that day of associating with sinners. Looking on were all kinds of people. There were folks like His mom, and John the disciple who loved Him greatly. There were relgious folks that were smirking and glad that He was dieing. There were some who were curious. There were some like the Roman centurion who came to believe He was indeed the Christ.

This Sunday is one of those days that the crowds are bigger at church. Folks come visit their families and go to church because someone invites them. Some go because it seems like the right thing to do on a holiday. Some will come out of curiousity. Whatever the reason, you are welcome at our church.

We believe that there are no perfect people. We beleive that Jesus came into the world and died on the cross and rose from the dead for people just like you and me. We believe that it is OK to come and explore faith and ask questions. We believe that you don't have to get your life cleaned up and your act together in order to come. We believe you can come just like you are and seek to discover the Christ.

Today is Friday, and on a day like this nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus died on a cross. What makes His death different from 1000's of other Jewish men who died on Roman crosses is who He claimed to be and what the Bible says He did by dieing in our place. Because it is only Friday, seeing Him die there is hard and troubling. But as the old preacher once said, "It is Friday, but Sunday is coming." Jesus once said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except by me." (John 14:6) Sunday morning validates that claim. This Easter Sunday go to a place of worship where they believe Jesus is the Way, and go knowing that its OK to come just as you are.