Who is Jesus?
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32Introduction
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
We desire that everyone would know the truth of who Jesus is. Maybe you have wondered if Jesus is a prophet. What is his relationship to God? How did He die and for what reason? Maybe you have seen the shape of the cross and wondered why many Christians use this symbol. Maybe Jesus has appeared to you in a dream as He has to many others? We hope to provide some information for these answers and to show you how you can continue to learn more about Jesus.
However, we do not want you to only know something in your head about Jesus. We want you to have a relationship with Him, and to have Him in your heart. When this happens, everything about our lives is changed.
So, who is Jesus?
Part One
Jesus was prophesied by the prophets. In the book of Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 7, Verse 14, it says that a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and more precisely in Isaiah Chapter 9, Verse 6, it says a son is born to us who will have the government upon his shoulder. If we know anything about God, we understand how important the words of the prophets can be, and the Lord always spoke to the people through the prophets.
Jesus was born as a baby, born of the Virgin Mary. The Lord chose the Virgin Mary, and caused her to conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and like everyone else, he entered this world as a child. It is very important that we understand this matter correctly, the Holy Spirit was upon Mary and she conceived not in any ordinary way of having sexual relations with a man. For further reading, Luke Chapter 1, Verses 26 to 38 can be studied. In the book written to the Hebrews, Chapter 1, we see that Jesus existed before his birth in heaven. He helped to create the universe. His birth was not His beginning, but his entrance into the world.
Jesus served on earth with many miracles. The miracles of Jesus were numerous, from giving sight to the blind to raising the dead, and for those who came to him for healing, Jesus reminded them that it is your faith that gives you salvation or healing. He indicates that the faith of individuals is very important for miracles. For a more detailed study of Jesus' miracles, you can study these verses: Luke Chapter 4, Verse 31, Matthew Chapter 8, Verse 14, Mark Chapter 5, Verse 21 and Verse 35.
Jesus taught us how to live. Throughout his time on the earth, he gave us many examples of how to live the right and good life. The most famous of these sermons is recorded in the book of Matthew, chapters 5 to 7. Many of his teachings are shocking, such as the command to forgive and love enemies. Jesus gathered a group of 12 students around him that he taught every day. He also taught the crowds from each town that would often gather around Him to be healed.
Jesus died on the cross. Rather, he was sacrificed with hands and feet nailed on the cross for the sins of all mankind; he gave his life for us, and those who choose this gift enter into this forgiveness. He accepted this death without any sin or fault. Regarding the crucifixion of Jesus, read Mark Chapter 15, Verse 24 -40, Luke Chapter 23, Verse 33-49, John Chapter 19, and Matthew Chapter 27, Verse 32-56.
Jesus rose again. The power of life and death was in his hands, so death could not hold him. Three days after death, Jesus returned to life, left the grave where he was buried, and showed himself to his students. For further study, read John Chapter 20. His resurrection demonstrates that sin and death have been defeated, and that humans, too, will live again even after they have died.
Jesus returned to heaven. After a while, the time for Jesus' return came, he was taken to heaven in front of his disciples. For further reading, Acts Chapter 1, Verses 9-11 can be studied. Jesus' departure might have been hard for many disciples, but what Jesus had said had to come to pass, and he promised that the Holy Spirit of God would come and minister to all who follow Christ. For further study on the Holy Spirit, John Chapter 14, Verse 15-31 can be studied.
Part Two
Why do these details matter? Because Jesus was sent by God to represent Himself. He is the Way to God, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6). As the rays of the sun travel 150 million kilometers from the sun to the earth, so Jesus has traveled the distance from God to us. We can only know the sun’s light and heat through these rays, just as we know God through Jesus Christ. Jesus established a kingdom of people who follow Him. Where is this kingdom? The kingdom that Jesus talks about is not about the power of money or position. It is not about nations and borders and armies. The Kingdom of God exists wherever people follow and obey Him. It exists in our hearts but is visible in our behavior. Jesus said, "the Kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst." (from Luke 17:21). It has no borders but exists all over the world; anyone who wishes can enter this kingdom. It is a place of peace and rest.
How can people enter the Kingdom of God? We are too sinful and far from God to enter into something so pure and wonderful as His Kingdom. Jesus died on the cross so that our sin and shame can be erased. Just as he died on the cross and became alive again, so we must die to our old, sinful self and become alive in Christ. This is called being born again. We must make the decision to repent of our sins and follow Christ instead of our sinful desires. But we don’t do this alone. Christ lives inus and through us. Our hands and feet become Jesus hands and feet. We are baptized with water in the Name of Christ to confirm this decision.The Holy of Spirit from God then lives in us and we become citizens in the Kingdom of God.
We desire that all people everywhere can join this kingdom and experience Jesus not just in their heads but also in their hearts. Maybe you have many questions about this. If so, please send us a message to talk to someone who can help you. We also recommend that you read or listen to the Torah, prophets, and Injil yourself so you can understand the teachings of Moses, the prophets, and Jesus. Please, pray to God for guidance in this very important matter.