Jesus

Everything for us centers on Jesus. Who is He? And what has he done?

Many people believe that Jesus was a good man and a great teacher and that is it. He is certainly a good man and a great teacher, but if that is all why was he executed like a criminal? And why is his teaching so radical? And why did his first followers claim that he rose from the dead? And why do so many people around the world not only follow him, but worship him to this day?

There are many questions that can be asked about Jesus. And Jesus himself asked his first followers saying "Who do you say that I am?" And one of his followers responded by saying "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:15-16). What was Peter, the follower of Jesus who said this, trying to say when he called Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God?

The Christ. This is not Jesus' last name. It is a title that means anointed one or Messiah. It is a title that refers to a promise that the God of the universe made to send a deliverer to save His people. Someone that would come to right all wrongs in the world and to mend what has been broken about our world. Peter is identifying Jesus as this One who was promised. Jesus is the hope for restoration. Jesus is the One who will save. Jesus is the Christ. 

The Son of the Living God. This was what got Jesus in trouble. To claim to be the Son of God was a claim to be God Himself in the flesh. Jesus, by taking this title and accepting worship from his followers claimed to be the God of the universe. Another writer of the New Testament said this about Jesus: "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3).

And this claim is what ultimately lead to his death. He was crucified for claiming to be God. And then he rose from the dead physically, proving himself to be God in the flesh.

After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, his followers spread a message about his life, death, and resurrection, and what that means for the world. They went throughout the world spreading this gospel, or good news. So what is the basic summary of this message? What does Jesus' life, death and resurrection mean for the world? For you? Check out this video below to learn more:

Gospel means good news

Have more questions?

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