Who is Jesus?

No other person is as frequently spoken of or referenced in our culture, so the historical person of Jesus interests many. The history of the man Jesus Christ is the most important question to all Christians, in fact the name Christian means “little Christ”.

So, who is this person so central to the faith of one third of the world’s population? It would be inappropriate to attempt a summary of his very important and controversial life in a single page, but there are some basics that every person should know about Christ.

First of all, Jesus was a historical person. We know this from several sources near his time. In fact, most scholars agree on the basics of his life: he lived at the beginning of the first century, was thought of as a teacher and worker of miracles, and was crucified by Pontias Pilate in Jerusalem. The Bible, specifically The Gospels, provides us with the most detail about Christ’s life and is the earliest source currently available about him (the earliest was probably written 20-30 years after his death).

So who do The Gospels reveal Jesus to be?

There are many characteristics the bible reveals about Jesus: his humanity, his divine nature, his absolute authority over all of creation, his ability to heal the sick and perform other miracles, his love for humanity, his judgment over every form of evil and injustice, and his message of the Kingdom of God and The Gospel of “grace.” Jesus even has the authority and power to forgive sins!

The Bible also reveals Jesus to be the savior of the world who died to save us all. But why did Jesus have to die? The bible tells us in Isaiah 53:6, that “God has laid our (all people’s) guilt on him (Jesus).”

But what kind of guilt do we have that needs to be laid on someone else?

God has given every human a law, of one form or another, to tell us how to live life the right way. What laws condemn you: driving your car over the speed limit or breaking other governing laws, dishonoring your parents, evil or impure thoughts, lying, coveting your friends’ possessions, gluttony, adultery, gossip, hatred…could the list go on and on?

Mostly, these are represented by our sense of right and wrong, but God also provided written commandments or laws. The bad news is that by either standard; we are far from keeping the laws of God.

Worse, like any just judge, God condemns lawbreaking and punishes injustice. And like any judge in a court of law, if that judge refuses to bring justice or ignores lawlessness, that judge would indeed become unjust or corrupt. So the reality is that all of us who have broken his commandments or committed injustice fall under the right anger of this just God. And the bible makes clear that all of us have fallen short of God’s standards for just living and that the cost of this sin is eternal. (Romans 3:23 and 5:23)

What is so good about this very negative, depressing, and judgmental message?

The bible demonstrates this is the clear reason for Jesus’ death. The cruel, ancient Roman Empire practice of the “death” penalty for criminals, the cross of crucifixion, was not a failure or “bump in the road” for Jesus. It was his purposed intent. He lived a perfect life of no sin or evil, killed without guilt, to be a substitute for everyone else who deserves God’s judgment on the evil mentioned above.

It was not God’s plan for everyone who sinned to die and go to hell for eternity. In fact, the bible says that God loves the people of the world so much that He sacrificed his Son to save us from that horrible punishment (John 3:16-19). So, God paid the price for our sin himself so that we will not be handed over to this judgment and condition of death forever. Elsewhere, the Bible says, “But God demonstrates his own love, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from the wrath through him.” (Romans 5:8-9)

But even more, according to the eye witness records of Jesus, he literally, came back to life and walked the earth, being touched by people, walking and talking with people, experiencing life with them, proving he has authority and power over death.

The beauty of the message is that it show’s God’s dual commitment to love and justice, showing an example for us that sacrifice is the way to accomplish both.

This is clearly good news (hence, the meaning of “gospel”) for everyone!

How does this love of God and his forgiveness of our evil deeds become a reality in my life?

The Bible is very clear on this issue as well. You may want to consider reading the entire book of John’s Gospel. He included all the information this ancient document contains because, as he states: “these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31). John was one of the many people who walked, talked, and lived along side of Jesus.

Here are some facts John and others who experienced the person of Jesus first-hand, nearly 2,000 years ago recorded concerning how you can receive this life and love from God:

  • “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” John 1:12
  • "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
  • “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” John 3:18
  • “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6
  • “…Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’”  Quote from Peter, Acts 4:10-12
  • “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Quote from Paul, Ephesians 2:8-9

What does this mean for me now?

If you “believe” along with these historical people and all the other Christians (“little Christs”) around the world, that Jesus has all authority over the entire Universe, you can be assured you are experiencing what many Christians call “amazing grace” and eternal life. You have also found God’s forgiveness of evil and sin in your life. This further implies if you believe Jesus has all authority and loves you with such a deep love you will now trust him, live for him and obey him.

Jesus said of himself and our Heavenly Father: “For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:2-3.

Here are some further things you can begin to do to understand more deeply God’s amazing grace:

  • Read, meditate, and pray through Psalms 51. Interact with God through prayer in how this could apply to you.
  • Pray to God regularly and frequently, make your requests known to him. He is a Father who loves you!
  • Prayerfully consider baptism as soon as possible (click here to schedule).
  • Begin joining other believers when they assemble to worship Jesus and regularly partake in what is known as the Sacrament of the Word and Communion (click here for HPPC times).
  • Begin reading the Bible daily, read multiple chapters in one sitting, You might start with the Gospel of John.
  • Read through our suggested resources (click here or see below).
  • Ask God, himself for clarity on his desire for your life.
  • Begin to love others in a serving, sacrificial way even if they do not deserve your love (see John 13, especially verses 34 and 35).
  • Join a group of fellow believers in Jesus to learn more about him and share about this great and exciting message of love and life found only Jesus Christ! (click here for various groups at HPPC).
  • Contact someone at HPPC for further comments or to ask further questions you may have (click here).

Other Recommended Resources (click here)

See Craig Bloomberg’s The Historical Reliability of the Gospels.

For more information about the gospels and evidence for their accuracy and historicity, please consult Lee Strobel’s A Case for Christ, or for a more in depth look, Craig Bloomberg’s work The Historical Reliability of the Gospels.