Its definitely the first one. If salvation doesnt require belief in Jesus, (as in the third interpretation) does that mean that through Christ everyone is automatically saved no matter what?  That contradicts scripture.

She is right, the only way we can get salvation is if we ask for it. If it was just given to us because He died, then we wouldn't have free will and anyone could do whatever they wanted and just say, "but He died, so it's okay" Jesus' death formed a new covinent (basically read Hebrews 12...) We have to become like Jesus, but since we are sinners we can't ever fully become like Him until we give up ourselves, freely give our free will to conform to Jesus.

yay!

There are good things and bad things about the fact that Jesus spoke in parables. Sometimes it makes it hard for every one to agree on the meanings. Glancing through my Bible, I found some scriptures that I hadn't been thinking of when I wrote my first post. I was thinking of some, but I found some others. I dont know if they count as "direct" contradictions, but I still think they contradict that third option.

John 12:44-50    v.47-50 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very last word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."

Then there's John 11:25-26    "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who BELIEVES in me will LIVE, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

He didnt say everyone will live, but whoever believes... Let's see....

Ephesians 2:8-9  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast."

Grace through faith...

One question is, why would Jesus have spent so much time trying to get people to believe in Him if it didnt matter whether they believed or not? Why would he have given the great commission calling us to go and make disciples? Why would the apostles have started churches? What is the Holy Spirit for? None of these things would be relevant if, since Christ already died, everyone is going to Heaven.     I hope this is satisfactory.  Its funny, I stumbled across  your site and decided to post because you said "i just wanted to stimulate some discussion from my (few) blog readers." plus your entry about missions was intriguing.      Anyway, have a nice day! :)