Dear Friend (part 2)

Dear Friend;

How is your faith today. Do you believe in me yet, Jesus Christ? Let me tell you more of my life.
As I have said in my earlier letter, my disciples are having trouble believing in me, yet I believe in them that one day soon they will.

On with my story, the Pharisees and Sadducees new the law but their hearts were cold and selfish. They watched me as I traveled and preached, they even tested me on the law. I knew my time was getting close and I tried to tell my disciples that I had to leave, go away to my Father's house and that they knew the way there.

John 14:2-4 (NIV) "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I wouldn't have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

They asked how can we know the way? I told them this:

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

They still didn't understand but I knew that soon they will get it. The time was drawing near so I planned a Last Supper with them. So I told them to see a certain man in the city so they can make preparations. In the evening, I washed their feet and we sat at the table. I told them that one of the will betray me and they began to question each other.

I broke bread with them, gave thanks and we ate as I said this is my body, do this in remembrance of me. I did the same with the cup as we drank, this is my blood of the new covenant and we sang after wards. I talked with Peter. I told him he would deny me three times before the rooster crows. In Gethsemane my betrayer came, Judas of Iscariot, with the soldiers, who arrested me.

The high priest charged me with blasphemy and tore my clothes. The witnesses punched me, slapped me and spit in my face. Peter did deny me three times but I still love him. I stood before Pilate with Barabbas and the crowd wanted Barabbas set free and crucify me. It hurt my feelings that the crowd was saying that but I had to obey my Father, who sent me. So Barabbas a murderer was set free.

The soldiers took me away. They mocked me, beat me, spat on me, put a crown of thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews. They even had a sign made with The King of the Jews on it. I was tortured and beaten so bad that nobody could hardly recognize me. I had to carry my cross to Golgotha and the soldiers pulled a man out of the crowd to help me for I kept falling.

They nailed me to the cross and I was placed between 2 robbers. The crowd hurled insults at me. That sign King of the Jews was placed above my head. One of the robbers believed in me and he went to paradise. I finally said it is finished and bowed my head and died.

John 19:30 (NIV) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

I was placed in a tomb, which was cold. But three days later, I got up, rolled the stone away and walked out of it. An angel stayed behind to give the good news. The first people I met were the woman who were just at the tomb for the angel told the good news to. The recognized me.

I met 11 of my 12 disciples for Judas hung himself. This is what I told them:

Luke 24:44-49 (NIV) He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

See I knew they would believe for I believed in them. I loved them all along the way. Do you believe. I am the only way to heaven and like the robber who I took with me, I want to take you too. Do you believe in me? If you believe in me and admit that I am the Son of God and confess all your sins , I will love you and forgive you and bring you into my kingdom forever. I am waiting but there will be a day will I won't wait no more. So as they say for now my door is open, please open yours and let me in.

With all my love,
Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior