Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ says:
"I am the way, the truth and
the life. Nobody comes to the Father except through me."
The Bible: John chapter 14, verse 6
Jesus of Nazareth is much more than a historical figure. Jesus is the Messiah promised in the Holy Scriptures and announced through various prophecies (Hebrew: "Mashiach"/ancient Greek: "christos" = "The Anointed One"); also called 'Son of God'. God chose him to bring salvation to humanity.
Because man has sinned against God, he has lost the eternal life for which he was created. As a result of man's rebellion against his Creator, suffering and death came into this world. That is why God sent Jesus to restore the broken relationship with our Creator and Father and to give eternal life to people from all peoples of the earth through faith in the name of his Son. The name "Jesus" (Hebrew "Jashua"/ancient Greek "Iisous") means >God saves<.
Jesus - the Messiah
"He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake."
The Bible: 1st Peter chapter 1, verse 20
Before the creation of the world, God had already appointed Jesus to be the Savior and King of His coming kingdom of peace. When the fullness of time came, Jesus was conceived and brought into the world in the womb of a virgin named Mary by the Holy Spirit of God; just as it was prophesied about the Messiah in the Holy Scriptures several centuries before.
Born in Bethlehem in Judea (Israel) after the promise, Jesus grew up surrounded by his family. When Jesus was about 30 years old, he was baptized in the Jordan River and anointed with power and authority by the Holy Spirit. From then on, Jesus began his mission, which he was called to by God. Jesus, accompanied by his twelve disciples whom he had previously chosen, traveled throughout Israel and taught the people the will of God.
Miracles and fulfilled prophecies
"And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them (...)."
The Bible: Matthew chapter 15, verse 30
God authenticated Jesus in many ways: First, God announced the Messiah in the TaNaCh (today's "Old" or First Testament) through more than a hundred prophecies over a period of almost two millennia. Every single prophecy (except for those whose fulfillment is yet to come) was fulfilled to the last by Jesus. This fact, which is true of no other prophet of any religion, clearly attests to both the credibility of Jesus and the Bible as the true Word of God (See: The Credibility of the Bible).
On the other hand, God gave Jesus extraordinary wisdom that no other person had. More over Jesus received the power from God to perform supernatural signs and wonders, which are attested in detail in the gospels of the New Testament, in that Jesus healed the sufferings and illnesses of many people and even brought the dead back to life. These signs were intended to further certify that Jesus is the promised Savior who was to come into the world.
Jesus - the hope of sinners
Jesus Christ says:
The Bible: Matthew chapter 15, verse 30
It was not the strong and successful, nor the beautiful and respected, but rather the poor and weak and those despised in society that Jesus cared for. His special attention was given to sinners, with whom he regularly ate and drank. Although the religious leaders of his day mocked him for it, Jesus spent a lot of time with these people, showing them the way to God.
Even today, Jesus' call applies to all people who wander around in this world without meaning or perspective, burdened with worries and the burden of their sins. Jesus invites them to come to him to find comfort and forgiveness as well as peace and hope with him.
Jesus - the image of God
"He is the image of
the invisible God (...)."
The Bible: Colossians chapter 1, verse 15
Although God originally created man in His image, man has no longer been fit for purpose since the day he lost his connection with his Creator. By looking to Jesus, we see what it means to be in the image of God. For Jesus reflected the personality of God in a flawless manner like no other before him. Jesus gave us an example of what true justice before God means by doing good and acting in accordance with the will of God at every moment of his life. Through Jesus, God's kingdom, in which love, truth and justice reign, became visible to all people. Jesus thus embodies what man should be according to God's creation plan.
God had already revealed His will to His chosen people Israel by teaching them His laws and commandments. But it is only in the person of Jesus - in his speech and actions - that the will of God is fully expressed. For this reason, Holy Scripture also refers to him as “the Word of God”.
Jesus' self-abasement
Jesus Christ says:
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life
a ransom for many."
The Bible: Mark chapter 10, verse 45
Jesus was sent into the world to show us humans how, in connection with him, we can live a life that pleases God and that brings peace and true fulfillment to ourselves and to everyone in the world (See: Life in freedom and peace). Although Jesus was destined to be king, he did not act as ruler, nor did Jesus ever use his power for his own benefit. Instead of pride and self-interest, Jesus' life was characterized by humility and selfless love. Jesus humbled himself to serve God and people like a slave. Instead of seeking honor and re-cognition for himself, Jesus gave glory to God his Father in everything. Jesus never did his own will, but always subordinated himself to the will of his Father.
Jesus' impeccable way of life and his intiJesus' impeccable lifestyle and his intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father in perfect unity and harmony serve as a model for us in every respect. His absolute trust in God and his complete devotion to humanity until death illustrate what faith and true love mean.
Death and resurrection
"But you know that he appeared
so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin."
The Bible: 1st John chapter 3, verse 5
The fact that Jesus was without sin makes him unique among all people - including all God-fearing persons in history. Although Jesus never did anything wrong, out of love Jesus was willing to endure without resistance all the evil that people did to him and ultimately even to die on the cross in an extremely painful and shameful way.
But since Jesus himself never sinned, he was able to atone for the sins of all people through his own death. Through his righteous life, Jesus not only conquered death himself, but also created a way out of death for all other people (See: The way to redemption?).
That's why God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day. At the same time, God has confirmed that Jesus is the only way to salvation for all people. Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection to immortal life are the most significant events in world history. They represent victory over darkness and death and open the way to eternity for all who believe in the Son of God.
Ascension of Jesus
The Bible: Mark chapter 16, verse 19
After his resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples and testified to them that he was alive. A short time later he ascended to God in heaven. There he will remain until he returns at the appointed time to judge humanity and to raise to eternal life all who have allowed themselves to be reconciled to God.
Now God offers all people the forgiveness of their sins through faith in Jesus and thus the chance to participate in the imperishable life in the coming world, where there will be no more suffering or death. Anyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior and follows him is accepted by God. On the other hand, anyone who rejects Jesus and the message of the Gospel is rejecting God and thus the only possibility of being saved.
jesus - Lord of all
Jesus Christ says:
"All power is given unto me
in heaven and in earth."
The Bible: Matthew chapter 28, verse 18
Since Jesus was faithful to his Father in all things and freely gave his life for humanity, God has exalted him above all things and has transferred to Jesus all power and authority in heaven and on earth; also judgment on all people. Since then, Jesus has been the most powerful person in the entire universe. Moreover, it means that every person will one day stand before Jesus; either to receive eternal life or for its condemnation.
At the same time, Jesus intercedes for all people who believe in him to help them, to bring their prayers to God and to give them instructions for their lives. Just as a shepherd cares for his sheep and guides them on a safe path, Jesus also shows those who trust in him as their shepherd and follow him the path to true life (see: Your step to new life).
Jesus - the light of the world
Jesus Christ says:
"I am the light of the world.
He who follows Me shall not
walk in darkness, but have
the light of life."
The Bible: John chapter 8, verse 12
Jesus lives and witnesses himself to countless people (including many Muslims), among other things through dreams and visions, as the risen Messiah and Son of God. Through Jesus, God gives lost humanity hope and a future. Anyone who is connected to Jesus has the light of life that every person needs (see: Words of life of Jesus).
In addition, all the testimonies of Holy Scripture confirm that Jesus is the Savior promised by God and that in him alone lies the salvation of humanity. Jesus is the way to God and eternal life. The first apostles, who personally experienced the life and work of Jesus, his resurrection from the dead and his ascension to God and through whom the good news of God spread around the whole world, also testified unanimously:
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men
by which we must be saved."
The Bible: Acts chapter 4, verse 12