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Who is this man Jesus? The story of his life is the greatest story ever recorded. Over 300 prophecies foretold the story of Jesus. The psalmist David foresaw Him as a king of splendor and majesty who would destroy the wicked and exalt the righteous. God Himself promised David that his lineage would continue forever through the One who was coming. The prophet Daniel said that this king would reign over a kingdom which would never end.
The story was also documented by reliable New Testament writers. This man’s mother was told by an angel that her babe would be the Son of God. Gabriel said that this son would be given the throne of David to reign over. This was the same kingdom that Daniel had talked about. Major historians have also told the story. It is not a fable or fairy tale. It is a story that can be exciting to you and might possibly change your life.
This king foretold by prophets and angels wasn’t born, or didn’t grow up, surrounded by royalty. Jesus was born about the year 4 B.C. in an obscure village, the city of David, Bethlehem. He was born of the virgin Mary, fathered in her by the Holy Spirit of God. Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, was a common laborer. Yet, angels announced the birth of the baby to the world in beautiful song, “Glory to God in the highest.” One angel in particular said, “Behold I bring you good news of great joy, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Thus the shepherds were invited to pay homage to the new king, and wise men were called from afar by the shining of a glorious star.
The Bible is filled with testimonials of who Jesus is. As recorded in Matthew 3:17, God Himself spoke following Jesus’ baptism saying, “This is My Son whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Likewise, the Bible is filled with recordings of signs of Jesus being the Son of God. The Gospel of John is especially revealing of wonders. Chapter 20, verse 30 records, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples which are not recorded in this book but these were written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, believing, you may have life in his name.” John recorded that Jesus raised the dead to life again, made the blind to see, made the lame to walk, made food for 5000 from a few loaves of bread and a few fish, stilled the sea and storm, and walked upon water.
Yet even these displays of power did not convince the Jews to whom God sent the Son as a Savior and King. Instead, they sought to kill him.
On a Thursday night, Jesus met with his apostles in the city of Jerusalem to eat the Passover meal with them. It was here on a solemn occasion that Jesus told them He must soon die—that it was God’s will that he give his life for his friends. He broke bread and drank wine with them. Jesus then told them to remember him when they did this from that time forward—to be reminded of his death and his promise to come again to take his own to a place he was going to prepare for them.
Later that night, he spent time in the Garden of Gethsemane to pray with and seek comfort from his Father. His prayer was interrupted by the clamor of swords and shouts of angry men sent to arrest Him. In the middle of the night Jesus was arrested and sent to trial. On trumped-up charges, the Jewish authorities tried the Lord in an illegal nighttime trial. They had him beaten and spat upon. They slapped and humiliated him. That was not enough. They wanted him to die.
Around 9:00 on Friday morning, Jesus was placed on a wooden cross. Nails were placed on his wrists and driven with force through skin and muscle, pinning him to the cross. It was not those nails that held him to the cross, nor was it was the fear of the Roman swords. It was his love for you and me. Hours of agony, unable to breathe, pain that was unbearable, body moisture drained, taunts and jeers from the crowd and worse.
Jesus died. Even in dying, his power was proclaimed. The skies darkened and the dead walked. An earthquake split the temple curtain and shook Jerusalem.
They buried him before sunset that Friday. His suffering had ended and a borrowed grave held his still body.
By the values of today’s world, he had no claim to greatness. Yet, no man has been born, no king has ever reigned, who affected the world as much as this man.
You see, on Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the dead. The action of power that none can dispute came only from God the Father. He appeared to Mary, to Peter and the apostles, and later to 500 at one gathering. At last he stood on a hill and angels watched as he began to ascend to heaven. As he rose, he said to his apostles, “Go everywhere and tell the good news.”
His name is Jesus. Jesus, the son of God. Jesus, who gave us a treasure that never changes and will never be destroyed. Because, you see, Jesus wasn’t just a man—He was God, who became One of us. God Himself told us that Jesus was His Son—the One He had promised to send to an imperfect world so that the people of the world could become perfect.
In the book of Romans, we learn that it is through Jesus that we gain access to God’s grace and glory. It is through Jesus’ life and death that we are reconciled to God. When Jesus was nailed to that cross, our sins were nailed there too. When we, through obedience, are baptized into Jesus, we’re buried with Him. Just as Jesus was raised from death, we, too, rise from the watery grave of baptism to live a new life. United with Him in death, we rise united with Him in resurrection. We become part of his kingdom—the kingdom decreed by God. No power in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus came to earth to do the work of the Father. He came to save the lost.
Jesus can be your Savior. He wants you to belong to him. He gave his life for you. He promised to return again. When he returns, he wants to take those who love him and are obedient to his will to live with him for all eternity. Jesus can be your friend, a wonderful loving friend, a Savior for all of eternity.
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