No Life Without Jesus

I recently received a large, colour brochure about an upcoming performance of Shen Yun which is an outreach funded by the religious group Falun Gong.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, alarm bells start ringing when I read of this group and how all spiritual authority is vested only in teachings of Falun Gong's founder, Li Hongzhi.  While the dance performance looks to be very colourful, performed by skilled dancers and accompanied by orchestral music, going to a show does not interest me in the slightest because of the clear connection with a group whose teachings are not of Jesus Christ.

The flier contained a quote that grabbed my attention more than the vivid colours which encouraged people to see the show:  "Go see it to believe it, because otherwise, you are going to miss the most important thing in your life."  This is a very interesting thing to say as it runs absolutely contrary to the revelation of Jesus who was born of a virgin, died on the cross, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven 40 days later before hundreds of witnesses.  When Thomas said he would not believe unless he saw Jesus in person, touched His hands where the nails pierced them and reached into Jesus' side where a spear pierced Him.  8 days later Jesus appeared in the midst of His disciples, said "Peace be unto you," and singled Thomas out because He knew (without being informed) what Thomas had said.

John 20:27-29 reads, "Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." ²⁸ And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" ²⁹ Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  After Christ's resurrection, Thomas did not see Jesus or know how to find Him to believe, but Jesus graciously sought him out, found him and spoke with him.  Jesus made Himself unmissable to Thomas and all humanity since, for the heavens declare His glory, and His word and disciples have spread the message of Jesus being the Way, the Truth and the Life everywhere.  Thomas was blessed to recognise Jesus as His LORD and God, and we are blessed to believe in Him even when we have not touched His hands or side.

How could watching a show or adhering to the teachings of Li Hongzhi or anyone else provide what Jesus freely gives all who believe and follow Him?  Who else provides assurance of eternal life by dying and rising from the dead?  John 20:30-31 says, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."  There is nothing wrong with going to a show or watching skillful performers on a stage, but it could never be the most important thing in your life the Bible compares to a vapour, grass that grows and quickly withers, a breath exhaled in the light of eternity.  Through God's word and this post the message of grace, forgiveness, and salvation through the Gospel has come to you.  Do you believe Jesus is the Christ?  Without Him, there is no life!  Jesus has come that we may have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).