WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?
Back in December Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus. We call it Christmas. According to most theologians Jesus was born in Bethlehem somewhere between 6-4 BC to the virgin Mary. The exact date is unknown and the Bible Gospels does not mention when He was born except that it was during the time of Herod the King.
There is truly little evidence of the childhood or early life of Jesus mentioned in the Bible. There is the story of Jesus being separated from His parents when He was about 12 years old and they found Him in the temple sitting among the teachers. As a young adult Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and went on to become teacher, preacher, and healer. Jesus’ earthly father was a carpenter and the Bible states that Jesus also was a carpenter.
The Gospel of John supports that the ministry of Jesus was about 3 years. At the end of this time, we now come to the death of Jesus. This occurred around 30AD in Jerusalem, Israel. Christians call this time Easter.
I am telling you the truth,” replied Jesus. “No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. A person is born physically of human parents, but is born spiritually of the Spirit. This is a fundamental theme of the Gospel. Jesus accomplished the Works of the His Father. Let us look at some facts regarding the death of Jesus.
(a) For this purpose, Jesus came into this world (John 12:27).
(b) His death was prophesied hundreds of years before in (Isaiah 53:3-8).
(c) The meaning of His death was a ransom for sin (Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 1:18).
(d) It was a penalty for sin (Romans 3:24; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).
(e) Man is the object of God’s wrath because of rebellion and sin, so God took the initiative in satisfying His wrath by sending His Son to Calvary.
(f) It is a reconciliation between us and God. The enmity has ended (Romans 5:10).
(g) We are now restored to God (2Corinthians 5:18, 19).
(h) Jesus died in our place (1Peter 3:18).
(i) Jesus dealt with the matter of sin completely (Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:12).
(j) Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary which is described as one of the most excruciating deaths.
After His death He came to be known as Jesus Christ. Christ was not originally a name but a title derived from the Greek word “Christos,” which is translated in Hebrew as “Messiah” meaning “anointed one.” The Bible uses “Christ both ways. The Bible speaks
of Jesus as “the Christ,” meaning “the anointed one,” (Matthew 16:16).
Jesus is regarded by most Christians as the Incarnation of God. Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. He was pre-existent with God the Father. Deity is the only explanation for all that Jesus was and all He did. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made (John 1:2,3; John 17:5; and Colossians 1:17.) Jesus is God. Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” The Jews reaction to this statement caused them to try and stone Him.
Another fundamental of Christianity is the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead; (John 20:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:4.) Let us look at some facts regarding the Resurrection.
(a) The credibility of the Resurrection; Jesus predicted it: (Matthew 13:39-41; Luke 24:1-7.)
(b) The tomb was empty: (John 20:11-13.)
(c) Many witnesses saw Jesus alive: the women (Luke 23:55-56); Mary Magdalene (John 20:1, 2, 11-18; Peter and other disciples (John 20:3-9.)
(d) Jesus is the only Savior. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given whereby we can be saved” (Acts 4:12.)
(e) Jesus is a complete Savior. He is able to save those that come unto God by Him for He makes intersession for them (Hebrews 7:25.)
(f) Jesus is a personal Savior. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, thou shalt be saved; (Romans 10:9-10.)
By accepting Jesus as your Savior, you can come before God and be born again. Jesus said in John 3:5-7 you should not be surprised at my saying, you must be born again. When we receive Jesus into our lives by faith, He gives us His Spirit and we are born again. Also, Jesus said in John 3:5 that flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit (Holy Spirit) gives birth to your spirit.
When Jesus returns to this earth to gather up His Bride (Born again believers) according to Acts1:11; Hebrews 10:37; John 14:3; Believers in Jesus shall be bodily resurrected to begin a new undying life (1Thessalonians 4:17-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58.)
Can you imagine, if you have received Jesus as Savior and your name is written in the Book of Life since the foundation of the world, you will spend eternity in a place there is no more sorrow, illnesses, or death and your name will never be blotted out (Revelation 3:5.)
Jesus will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords over His new creation (2 Peter 3: 10-13; Revelation 22:3-5.) where you will enjoy the love of God.
The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
So, I ask you, who do you say Jesus the Christ is? Do you have a personal relationship with Him or is He just another subject in life?
Happy Easter! God loves you and so do I.