Christ - Introduction

Who is Jesus? How one answers this question will directly affect one’s out look on life as well as one’s eternity. Some see Jesus as a good man, a scholar or a revolutionary while others see Him as much more.

Was Jesus a good man? Certainly, He was. Acts 10:38 says that He, “went about doing good.” Was He as scholar? Definitely. At the end of His famous Sermon on the Mount speech it is said, “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (Matthew 7:28-29). Was Jesus a revolutionary? Absolutely. His thinking ran counter to the Jewish religious leaders of His day. Jesus turned the religious world upside down. His, “You have heard that it was said… but I say unto you” directives in Matthew 7:21, 27, 31, 33 etc… ran counter to centuries of teaching. His rebuke of the religious leaders in Matthew 23 with His “Woe unto you, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites…” made Him public enemy number one.

Yet, the Bible teaches and we believe that He is much more than a good man, scholar and religious revolutionary. Jesus is the Prophesied One, the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

The Old Testament which consists of thirty-nine separate books and written over several centuries predicted His coming. The first prediction, shortly after the Fall, is found in Genesis 3:15, which says, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” This prophecy foretells Jesus’ ultimate triumph over Satan.

During the time of Moses, God through him spoke saying, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear” (Deuteronomy 18:15). During the time of the Prophets, Isaiah wrote specific details about His purpose and character in the fifty-third chapter. All total, over 300 distinct prophecies are found of Jesus in the Old Testament.

Still, the Bible not only prophesies of His coming but also declares Him to be the Son of God. In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel is reported to have said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS” (30-31). Later, speaking of how this would happen Gabriel said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God (35).

On two separate occasions, God the Father spoke directly declaring Jesus to be His Son. First when Jesus was baptized it is said that, “Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17). Secondly, God the Father spoke on the Mount of Transfiguration declaring Him to be His Son. Matthew 17:4-5 says, “Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Besides declaring Jesus His Son, He also showed the superiority of Jesus over the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah).

Finally, Jesus is declared to be the Savior of the world. While many leaders struggled for the liberation of lands, Jesus lives and died for the liberation of souls. In John 8:36, Jesus said, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” In Luke 19:10, Jesus stated His mission quite clearly, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

To reassure the people of His authenticity and authority, Jesus readily performed miracles. Jesus told the followers of John to report to him saying, “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11:5).

Yet, Jesus’ primary purpose was not to heal the physical body but the spiritual body of its sin. In the healing of the paralytic in Matthew 9, Jesus said, “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house” (5-6). The miracle was only a proof that Jesus could forgive sins.

If one concludes, as the centurion did at the foot of the cross, that Jesus truly is the Son of God, what then is to be done? Follow Him. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” As Jesus gave a total commitment to humanity by being crucified on the cross for our sins, He expects a total commitment from His followers. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Since Jesus has proven Himself to be the Prophesied One, the Son of God and the Savior of the world, the only logical conclusion would be to follow Him. Heaven and glory await those who follow Him.