The Bridge Over The River Kwai

I want to tell you a true story that happened during the last war, from 1939-45.   The Japanese invaded Burma and took thousands of allied troops prisoners. The guards were cruel and inhuman to their prisioners. After a gruelling day’s work with starvation rations, all the prisoners were lined up. The commandant exploded in anger that a shovel was missing from the supplies, therefore, one of the prisoners had stolen it. He shouted that the thief should step forward and would be shot immediately. If the thief did not own up- then everyone would be put on half-rations. This was effectively a death sentence because they were already on starvation rations and were being ‘worked to death’, so they would have no hope of survival.

When the commandant had finished his tirade - one man stepped forward and he was immediately shot as a thief. Then, and only then, did Japanese re-count the shovels and they found that NOT ONE WAS MISSING. The man who had stepped forward was clearly innocent of the charge but he willingly took the punishment and paid the penalty for a crime he had not committed so that he could save all the other prisoners. He died so that they could live.

This true story is a tremendous example of how ONE MAN who was totally innocent DIED for the sake of others. He died so that the others could live. This is an imperfect picture of what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (to die for us), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Jesus Christ is the only Son of God. He is totally God and became fully human. He lived a perfect life on this earth doing many miracles. He died a horrendous death on a Cross - we cannot possibly imagine the torture - just for us. Because God is a just God He cannot turn a blind eye to our sins BUT he sent His only beloved Son to die for us so that our sins could be forgiven. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven to prepare a place there for us. 

So you see we cannot earn or deserve Heaven. It is a FREE GIFT OF GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. All we have to do is to believe and receive.

Would you like to receive the free gift of eternal life?

All you have to do is to pray from your heart like this.......

Dear God, I come to You, I confess that I have sinned. 

I have gone my own way. I do not deserve eternal life. 

But I believe you sent Jesus to save me. 

I believe He is the Son of God. 

I believe that on the Cross He paid the penalty for my sins. 

I believe that He rose from the grave on the third day. 

Right now, Lord Jesus, I invite you into my heart. 

I receive you as my Saviour and Lord. 

Please forgive my sins and take control of my life. 

I receive your free gift of eternal life. I trust You alone for my salvation. 

I give my life to You, Lord. 

Thank You for saving me. Amen.