The one question that is most asked about any historical figure must be this one, “Who is Jesus?”. Jesus Himself asked this question to His disciples. Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Apostle Paul confesses, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God Himself testified of Him from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” “All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.”
Two thousand years ago, an angel appeared to Virgin Mary and said to her, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” The birth of Jesus is unique in this regard. As promised by God, she gave birth to a Son and named Him Jesus, who was, is and will be the Saviour of the world.
Life and teachings
At the age of 30, Jesus started doing the work appointed to Him by God the Father. He preached the good news, healed the sick and even raised the dead. “The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing.”
His teachings were so unique and full of authority. He said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
Since many people started following Jesus, the rulers and the religious authorities became envious of Him. They planned to get rid of Him. But Jesus Himself foretold His death saying that he must suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Death and resurrection
Jesus was finally arrested and was led by the high priest who was the judge of the Jews. They looked for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. At last, they accused him of calling Himself the Son of God.
Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Some slapped him. As foretold, He was sentenced to death. Jesus had the power to deliver Himself. But He chose to die so that our sins would be forgiven. He bore our sins in His own body on the cross, so that we might live.
“He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities…” He died on the cross. His body was wrapped in a clean linen cloth and He was laid in a tomb. Again as He had foretold, on the third day He rose from the dead. He was seen by many of His disciples and at the appointed time, He went up to heaven to be with the Father.
Repent and believe
All of us have sinned against God and deserve the punishment of everlasting death in hell. The death of Jesus is the ultimate penalty for the sins of the whole of mankind.
Jesus is the only way to heaven. He says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
You need to trust Him alone for your salvation. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Salvation is the gift of God and you can receive it through faith. Jesus has already paid for it on the cross. You don’t contribute anything to your salvation.
But you need to admit that you are a sinner, repent and believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Are you willing to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?