Who is Jesus?
Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity and one of the most influential figures in history. His life, teachings, and impact continue to inspire and transform lives worldwide. But who is Jesus? Let’s explore His identity, mission, and why He matters today.
The Identity of Jesus
The Bible presents Jesus as the Son of God (John 3:16) and the promised Messiah foretold in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2). He is also described as the Word made flesh (John 1:1-14), meaning He is God who came to live among us.
Jesus referred to Himself as:
The Bread of Life (John 6:35): The source of spiritual nourishment.
The Good Shepherd (John 10:11): The one who guides and protects His people.
The Light of the World (John 8:12): Bringing truth and hope to a dark world.
These titles reveal His divine nature, His care for humanity, and His role as the Savior.
The Life of Jesus
Jesus’ life on earth began with a miraculous virgin birth, fulfilling prophecies about the coming Messiah (Matthew 1:22-23). His ministry lasted about three years, during which He performed miracles, taught profound truths, and showed compassion to the marginalized.
His ministry include:
Healing the sick: Blind men received sight (Matthew 9:27-31), and lepers were cleansed (Luke 17:11-19).
Teaching with authority: His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) provided timeless principles for living a godly life.
Performing miracles: From calming storms (Mark 4:35-41) to feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish (John 6:1-14).
His death on the cross was not the end but the culmination of His mission. Jesus willingly died to pay the penalty for humanity’s sins (Romans 5:8). Three days later, He rose from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death (Luke 24:6-7).
The Teachings of Jesus
Jesus' teachings were revolutionary and remain deeply relevant today. He taught about love, forgiveness, and living with purpose.
Key lessons include:
The Greatest Commandment: Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).
The Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
The Kingdom of God: Jesus often spoke about God’s Kingdom, a spiritual realm where God’s will reigns (Mark 1:15; Luke 17:21).
Through parables, Jesus shared profound truths in simple, relatable stories, such as the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).
Why Jesus Matters Today
Jesus’ life and teachings have shaped history and culture, influencing ethics and human rights. But His significance goes beyond history. Jesus offers hope, peace, and purpose to those who follow Him.
Through His death and resurrection, He provides forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7) and the promise of eternal life (John 14:6). He invites everyone to have a personal relationship with Him, saying, “Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
How to Respond to Jesus
Understanding who Jesus is calls for a response. The Bible invites us to:
Believe in Him: Trust that He is the Son of God and Savior (John 3:16).
Repent of sins: Turn away from wrongdoing and seek His forgiveness (Acts 3:19).
Follow Him: Live according to His teachings and example (Luke 9:23).
By following Jesus, we can experience the transformation He offers and share His message of hope with others.
Consequences of Rejecting Jesus Christ
What consequences may occur if we reject Jesus Christ?
Before Physical Death
Separation from God
We remain in a condemned state due to our sins.
“For the wages of sin is death (spiritual separation), but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“But whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the Son of God.” (John 3:18)
Eternal Death Awaits
Those who reject Jesus face eternal separation in the Lake of Fire.
“Then death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of Fire. If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, they were thrown into the Lake of Fire.” ( Revelation 20:14-15)
“Whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12)
Fear and Anxiety
Without hope in Christ, the fear of death can overwhelm us.
“I am full of anxiety because of my sin.” Psalm 38:18
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." (Proverbs 12:25)
Jesus offers hope, as He said to Martha
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though they die, will live again.” (John 11:25)
After Physical Death
Immediate Suffering
Souls of the unrighteous enter a place of torment.
In Luke 16:19-24 Jesus described the rich man in Hades, suffering in flames while Lazarus rested in comfort.
Judgment Before God
“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
Revelation 20:11-15 describes that the dead will stand before God at the Great White Throne, and anyone not found in the Book of Life will face the Second Death in the Lake of Fire.
Eternal Pain and Suffering
“The devil, the beast, and the false prophet will be tormented day and night forever.” (Revelation 20:10)
“They will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12)
This is a sobering warning. Luke 16:26 reminds us that after death, the separation is final: “A great chasm has been set in place.”
Hope in Jesus Christ
Jesus provides the only way to eternal life
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
If you’d like to receive Jesus, pray this simple prayer
Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying for my sins. I open my heart to You and accept You as my Savior and Lord. Forgive my sins and give me eternal life. Lead me and make me the person You want me to be. Amen.
If you prayed this sincerely, Jesus has come into your life (Revelation 3:20) and promises to never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).
Pascal's Wager
If God REALLY exists, and we believe (= bet that God exists), we have an infinite gain (heaven).
If God REALLY exists, and we don't believe that, then we have the potential of an infinite loss (hell, or at least eternal separation from God).
If God really does NOT EXIST, and we believe that God exists, we essentially lose nothing.
If God really does NOT EXIST, and we believe that God doesn't exist, we essentially gain nothing.
This can be represented in a table as follows:
If one has to bet, then it's always more rational to wager on an infinite gain. An infinite gain will always outweigh even a finite loss or gain. Therefore, it's always more rational to bet that God exists. As Pascal says, if you wager and win, "you will win everything."
Our Coming King - Poem
I Wish I Could Describe Him to You
From the study of The Book of Romans by Chuck Missler (Inspired by Pastor S.D. Lockridge)
He is:
King of the Jews (racial);
King of Israel (national);
King of all the Ages;
King of Heaven;
King of Glory;
King of Kings;
..and Lord of Lords. [Do you know Him? Do you really?]
A prophet before Moses;
A priest after Melchizedek;
A champion like Joshua;
An offering in place of Isaac;
A king from the line of David;
A wise counselor above Solomon;
A beloved/rejected/exalted son like Joseph.
And yet far more...
The Heavens declare His glory…
and the firmament shows His handiwork.
He who is, who was, and who always will be;
The first and the last
He is the Alpha and the Omega
the Aleph and the Tau
the A and the Z;
He is the first fruits of them that slept.
The “I AM that I AM” [the Voice of the Burning Bush!]
He is the Captain of the Lord’s Host
He was the conqueror of Jericho
He is enduringly strong;
He is entirely sincere;
He is eternally steadfast;
He is immortally graceful;
He is imperially powerful;
He is impartially merciful;
In Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
The very God of very God.
He is our Kinsman-Redeemer
and He is our Avenger of Blood;
He is our City of Refuge;
our Performing High Priest,
our Personal Prophet,
our Reigning King.
He’s the Loftiest idea in Literature;
He’s the highest Personality in Philosophy;
He’s the Fundamental Doctrine of Theology;
He’s the Supreme Problem in “higher criticism”!
He’s the Miracle of the Ages
the Superlative of everything good
We are the beneficiaries of a Love Letter:
It was written in blood,
on a wooden cross
erected in Judea
2,000 years ago.
He was crucified on a cross of wood,
yet He made the hill on which it stood.
By Him were all things made that were made;
without Him was not anything made that was made;
By Him are all things held together!
What held Him to that cross? It wasn’t the nails!
(At any time He could have declared, “I’m out of here!”)
It was His love for you and me.
He was born of a woman, so that we could be born of God;
He humbled Himself, so that we could be lifted up;
He became a servant, so that we could be made co-heirs;
He suffered rejection, so that we could become His friends;
He denied Himself, so that we could freely receive all things;
He gave Himself, so that He could bless us in every way.
He is
Available to the tempted and the tried;
Blesses the young;
Cleanses the lepers;
Defends the feeble;
Delivers the captives;
Discharges the debtors;
Forgives the sinners;
Franchises the meek;
Guards the besieged;
Heals the sick;
Provides strength to the weak;
Regards the aged;
Rewards the diligent;
Serves the unfortunate;
Sympathizes and He saves!
His Offices are manifold;
His Reign is righteous;
His Promises are sure;
His Goodness is limitless;
His Light is matchless;
His Grace is sufficient;
His Love never changes;
His Mercy is everlasting;
His Word is enough;
His Yoke is easy and
His Burden is light!
He’s indescribable;
He’s incomprehensible;
He’s irresistible;
He’s invincible!
The Heaven of heavens cannot contain Him;
Man cannot explain Him
The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him
and learned that they couldn’t stop Him;
Pilate couldn’t find any fault with Him;
the witnesses couldn’t agree against Him.
Herod couldn’t kill Him
death couldn’t handle Him
the grave couldn’t hold Him!
He has always been and always will be;
He had no predecessor and
will have no successor;
Your can’t impeach Him and
he isn’t going to resign!
His name is above every name;
That at the name of Yeshua
Every knee shall bow
Every tongue shall confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord!
His is the kingdom, the power, and the glory… for ever, and ever.
Amen!