Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor, the Alpha and the Omega, the Everlasting Father, the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Son of God, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, King of Kings.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is in his very nature God himself. Yet he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. He humbled himself, and died a painful death on the cross. Imagine, God, the King of Kings, left his place in heaven to come to earth, and to die. Why would he do such a thing? Because of his love for you.
Is there Proof that Jesus of Nazareth Really Existed?
There are many non-Biblical sources that affirm the real existence of Jesus Christ, including Roman and Jewish historians from before the first century, second-century satirists, and Roman court officials. Encyclopedia Britannica reads, “These independent accounts prove that in ancient times even the opponents of Christianity never doubted the historicity of Jesus, which was disputed for the first time and on inadequate grounds by several authors at the end of the 18th, during the 19th, and at the beginning of the 20th centuries.”
Was Jesus' Coming Foretold?
The Old Testament of the Bible was completed hundreds of years before Jesus was born, yet it is full of prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus’ lifetime. Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, his lineage from the line of David, the commencement of his ministry in Galilee and his suffering and silence before his accusers were all foretold. (Micah 5:2, Psalm 89:3–4, Isaiah 9:1, Isaiah 53:7)
What did Jesus say about Himself?
John 8:46-47 reads, “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” When Jesus challenged those around him to prove him guilty of making a mistake, no one could respond. He lived a sinless life. Jesus claimed the authority to forgive people of their sins. Luke 5:20 reads, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’ The Pharisees and the teachers of law began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” Jesus said he could give everlasting life. John 6:40 reads, “For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” Jesus claimed to be the only way to God. In John 14:6 he said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”
How did Jesus Prove His Claims?
Jesus didn't just claim to be God. He demonstrated through his actions that he had a supernatural power source. He healed the lame and the blind, turned water into wine and walked on water. Jesus healed people from sickness and disease, and even raised people from physical death!
Jesus himself foretold his death and resurrection, and these events came about exactly as he predicted. “Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again’”
Did Jesus Really Rise Again?
The resurrection is the only plausible explanation for the empty grave. Roman soldiers closely guarded the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid, and the grave's entrance was sealed with a heavy boulder. The Roman guard, which was usually composed of 16 members, would have made it impossible for the disciples to steal the body. The Jewish leaders of the day could easily have refuted all claims of the resurrection by producing a body, but they were unable to do so.
After he rose from the dead, Jesus appeared at least ten times to those who had known him and to as many as 500 people at one time. These appearances were not hallucinations; Jesus ate and spoke with his followers and they touched his resurrected body. Luke 24:36-39 reads, “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’”
The resurrection is the only logical explanation for the transformed lives of the disciples, and the beginning of the Christian movement. The disciples deserted and even denied Jesus before his public trial; after his death they were discouraged and fearful. Yet, after his resurrection, these same discouraged and disappointed men and women were transformed by the mighty power of the risen Christ. In his name, they brought Christianity to the world. Many lost their lives for their faith; others were terribly persecuted. Their conviction that Jesus Christ was truly raised from the dead was strong enough to die for.
Before Jesus left the earth, he made a promise, “I am going away and I am coming back to you.” (John 14:28) What did this mean for the future?
