Who is Jesus?
Jesus, also called Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus of Galilee, is one of the most influential figures in history.
He is the founder of Christianity.
His life and teachings have inspired billions of people around the world for over two thousand years.
But who was Jesus, really?
Was he just a man, or was he something more?
There are many different opinions about who Jesus was.
Some people believe that he was just a man, a great teacher, or a prophet.
Others believe that he was the Son of God, sent to Earth to save humanity from their sins.
In this article, I’ll explore who Jesus is and what his teachings can mean for us today.
Who is Jesus
I am often asked the question, “Who is Jesus?”
It is a difficult question to answer because there is so much that could be said.
Suffice it to say that Jesus was and is the most important figure in human history.
He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
He rose from the dead three days later, proving His power over death.
He then ascended into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father.
One day He will return to earth to judge the living and the dead.
Those who have placed their faith in Him will spend eternity with Him in heaven, while those who have rejected Him will spend eternity in hell.
That is who Jesus is.
Background and early life of Jesus
Jesus Christ was born in the Judean town of Bethlehem around 4 BC.
His mother, Mary, was a Virgin who was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter.
According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would conceive and bear a son called Jesus, who would be the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-38)
After Jesus was born, he and his family fled to Egypt to escape the Massacre of the Innocents, which was ordered by King Herod. (Matthew 2:13-18)
They eventually settled in Nazareth, a small town in Galilee. (Luke 2:39)
Not much is known about Jesus’ childhood, but the Gospels tell us that He grew in wisdom and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)
One story tells how he went missing for three days while his family was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
His parents eventually found him in the temple, where he was talking with the teachers. (Luke 2:41-52)
Another story tells how he worked with Joseph as a young boy, helping him to make wooden furniture. (Mark 6:3)
At the age of 30, Jesus began His public ministry after being baptized by John the Baptist. ( Matthew 3:13-17)
He traveled around Galilee, preaching His message and performing miracles.
He also gathered a group of disciples, who became His closest followers.
Jesus’ miracles included healing the sick, turning water into wine, and feeding a large crowd with just a few loaves of bread and fish. (Matthew 8:14-17, John 2:1-11, Luke 9:10-17)
He caused controversy by forgiving people’s sins, which was something only God could do, according to the Jewish religion. (Mark 2:1-12)
Jesus also spoke out against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders of the time. (Matthew 23:1-39)
Around AD 32, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Passover. (John 2:13)
While Jesus is in Jerusalem, He drives the money-changers and those selling doves out of the temple, saying that it is a ‘house of prayer for all nations, not a ‘den of thieves. (Mark 11:15-19)
His actions cause offense to the religious leaders.
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ
During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His own death and resurrection. (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-38)
He is then betrayed by one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot. (Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50, Luke 22:47-53)
Jesus is arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court.
He is charged with blasphemy and condemned to death. (Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, Luke 22:54-71)
Jesus is then handed over to the Romans and is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea.
Pilate finds no fault in Jesus and tries to release Him, but the crowd calls for His crucifixion. (Matthew 27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23:1-25)
Jesus is crucified along with two criminals and dies around 3 pm. (Matthew 27:27-50, Mark 15:16-37, Luke 23:26-49)
His body is taken down from the cross and buried in a tomb. (Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56)
Three days later, Jesus rises from the dead. (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12)
He then appears to His disciples and others before ascending into heaven. (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:14-20, Luke 24:36-53)
The life of Jesus is remembered and celebrated by Christians every Easter.
Jesus changed the world in a way that no one else has ever done, and His teachings continue to influence people today.
He is known as the ‘Prince of Peace, and His message was one of love, forgiveness, and compassion.
Christians believe that Jesus was and is the Son of God and that through His death and resurrection, He provided a way for us to be forgiven and to have a relationship with God. (John 3:16)
What does the Bible say about Him?
The Bible is full of prophecies about the coming of the Messiah, and Jesus fulfilled all of them.
He was born in Bethlehem, as foretold by the prophet Micah. (Micah 5:2)
He was visited by wise men from the East, as predicted by Isaiah. (Isaiah 60:1-6)
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, as foretold by Isaiah. (Isaiah 40:3)
He preached in Galilee, as prophesied by Isaiah. (Isaiah 9:1-2)
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, as Zechariah predicted. (Zechariah 9:9)
He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, as foretold by Zechariah. (Zechariah 11:12-13)
He was crucified at Golgotha, as Psalm 22 predicts. (Psalm 22:16)
And He rose from the dead on the third day, as foretold by the prophet Hosea. (Hosea 6:2)
These are just a few of the many, many prophecies that Jesus fulfilled.
There is no doubt that He was the Messiah, the Son of God.
If you would like to know more about who Jesus is and what He has done for you, I encourage you to read the Bible.
Start with the book of John, and let the story of Jesus change your life forever.
The impact of Jesus Christ on the world
It is impossible to overstate the impact that Jesus has had on the world.
His teachings have shaped our laws, our politics, our art, our literature, and our ways of thinking.
More than that, He has changed the lives of billions of people around the world.
Those who have placed their faith in Him have been transformed by His love and grace.
Their lives are marked by hope, joy, and peace, even in the midst of hardship and trials.
If you have never met Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so today.
What was the main purpose of Jesus’s life?
Jesus came to Earth for one reason: to save humanity from its sin.
By living a perfect life and dying on the cross, Jesus took the punishment that we deserved.
Through his resurrection, he conquered death and gave us the hope of eternal life.
Because of Jesus, we can be forgiven and have a personal relationship with God. (John 3:16)
This is the Good News that Jesus came to bring us, and it is the main purpose of his life.
How to follow Jesus’s teachings in our own lives
As Christians, we are called to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
But what does that really mean?
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells us to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey His commands.
This commission is not just for pastors and missionaries; it’s for every follower of Christ.
As we share the good news of the Gospel with others, we also have the opportunity to show them what it looks like to live out our faith on a daily basis.
By living lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), we can be a light in a dark world and an example of God’s love.
As we follow Christ’s teachings in our own lives, we can impact those around us for His glory.
What are the different names and titles of Jesus Christ?
There are many different names and titles for Jesus Christ, all of which point to His nature and character.
Some of the names and titles of Jesus include:
- The Son of God (Matthew 3:17)
- Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8; 22:13)
- The Word (John 1:1)
- The Lamb of God (John 1:29)
- Emmanuel: (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:23)
- The Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
- The Bread of Life (John 6:35)
- Firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15)
- The Light of the World (John 8:12)
- The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
- The King of Kings (1 Timothy 6:15)
- Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
- Alpha and Omega: (Revelation 1:8)
- Holy One: (Acts 3:14)
- The Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16)
- Judge (Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:8)
- Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6)
Each name and title reveals something different about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
When we understand the meaning behind these names and titles, we can better appreciate all that Jesus is to us and all that He has done for us.
Final thoughts on who Jesus is
Jesus is so much more than just a man who lived 2,000 years ago.
He is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the Lord of all.
He came to Earth for one purpose: to save us from our sin.
And because of His great love for us, He did just that.
If you have never met Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so today.
You may never be the same.
Also read: Who is God?
