Trinity Mount Barker

On August 8th 2005 The Jesus, All About Life marketing campaign was launched in Adelaide. The message that Jesus really is “all about life” was splashed across roadside billboards, and beamed into homes on TV and radio.  It was described as the largest promotional campaign ever undertaken by Christians in Australia and has since been repeated in many Australian cities.  The theme of the campaign was based on Jesus’ words in the second half of John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The campaign was considered a great success.  People from all walks of life across our city were engaging in conversations about Jesus and Christians were encouraged to share the hope that they have in Christ. It was great to be able to publicly identify with the ads and with the picture of Jesus that was being presented to Adelaide.  It was a privilege to stand with Christians from churches all across the city and say, “Yes, I believe that Jesus is all about life.”

I wonder though, if our lives agree?
Does the way we live suggest we really do believe that Jesus is all about life?

In 1 Peter 2 & 3, the Apostle Peter, one of Jesus’ friends and an eye witness of his ministry, urges his readers to live “good lives” because he knows that the way that God’s people conduct themselves at home, at work, in our families, wherever, this conduct will be used by others to evaluate the Christian message.  “Does it work?” they’ll wonder.  Is Jesus really about life?  Is the life of someone who’s encountered Jesus any different to someone else’s life?  If not, “What’s the point of it all,” is the answer we’re led to anticipate.

If we find Peter’s words about submission, suffering for doing good and turning from evil in chapters 2 and 3 hard to accept and harder to put in to practice, perhaps it’s because we haven’t fully grasped the new status and identity we’ve been given as God’s chosen people.  For Peter it’s our identity as “aliens and strangers,” as God’s “holy nation” that should both enable us and motivate us to live this distinctive lives in the world. 

And then, in God’s kindness, people around us will be able to see that Jesus really is all about life! 

PS - The sign above is from Figtree Anglican Church when the Jesus, All About Life campaign was run in NSW.