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 (Hebrew: "Mashiach"/ancient Greek: "christos" = "The Anointed One") promised in the Holy Scriptures;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 is created. As a result of man's rebellion, 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. 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. 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 coming of His Messiah through hundreds of prophecies over a period of several 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 as the Messiah 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 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
Jesus came into the world to reconcile us sinful people with our heavenly Father. Jesus regularly ate and drank with sinners and showed them the way to God. Furthermore, Jesus did good deeds among the people, helped the poor and weak, and cared for those who are despised by society. Even today, Jesus' call applies to all people who wander through this world without meaning or perspective, burdened with worries and the weight of their guilt. Jesus invites them to come to him to find peace, comfort, and forgiveness from God.
Jesus - the image of God
"He is the image of
the invisible God (...)."
The Bible: Colossians chapter 1, verse 15
God created man in His image, that is, as a reflection of His personality. By looking at Jesus, we recognize what this means: Jesus embodies what man should be according to God's plan of creation. In his thoughts and actions, God's character, which is love, is flawlessly reflected. In every moment of his life, Jesus behaved in a way that pleased God. Through Jesus, God's kingdom, in which love, truth, and justice reign, became visible to all people. In this way, Jesus lived out the natural destiny of every human being: a life to the glory 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. 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 lifestyle and his intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father in perfect unity 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 (See: What does faith 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
Jesus was without sin. This fact makes the Messiah unique among all people. Yet even though Jesus never did anything wrong, he had numerous enemies. Because Jesus spoke the truth and exposed the evil in people's hearts, he became hated by many. As a result, many sought his life. Yet out of love, Jesus endured all the evil that people inflicted on him without resistance. Ultimately, Jesus was even ready to die on the cross in an extremely painful and shameful way. Yet through his righteous life, Jesus not only overcame death himself but also created a way out of death for all other people (See: The way to redemption).
Therefore, God raised him from the dead on the third day, thus confirming that Jesus is the Savior of 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 to testify that he was alive. A short time later, Jesus ascended to God in heaven. He will remain there until he returns to earth at the appointed time to establish God's eternal kingdom. Now, God offers all people, through faith in Jesus, the forgiveness of their sins and thus the chance to participate in eternal life in God's kingdom. On the other hand, whoever accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior and follows his way is accepted by God. Whoever rejects Jesus and his message, rejects God and thus the only possibility of salvation.
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
Because Jesus was faithful to his Father in everything, God exalted him above all things and appointed him Judge of all people. From that moment on, Jesus is the most powerful person in the entire universe. This means that every person will one day stand before Jesus, either to receive eternal life or to be judged. At the same time, Jesus intercedes for all people who believe in him, to help them, to bring their prayers before God, and to give them direction for their lives. Just as a shepherd cares for his sheep and leads them on a safe path, so too Jesus shows those who entrust themselves to him as their Shepherd and follow him the way 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