NEW LIFE INTERNATIONAL

                             WHO IS THIS JESUS?

Who is this man that is the dividing line of time?

He changed history and yet never traveled more than one thousand miles from his birthplace. His own followers thought he came to raise a sword against Rome and be a reigning king. Instead, he told them to turn the other cheek and to love those who hate and misuse them.

He died on a cross, the Roman's cruel means of dealing with criminals and murderers. Yet even the Procurator (Governor) of Judea , who condemned him to death stated that he found no fault in him. To appease the cries of the Jewish leaders who felt threatened by Jesus popularity; Pilate condemned Jesus to death and washed his hands to show he wanted no part in this decision. Jesus' followers saw him die on a cross. Afterward, they put him in a borrowed tomb. Three days later when they returned to the tomb, his body was gone. Only the grave cloths remained. His disciples and hundreds of others are recorded as seeing him after his death. Eleven of his apostles died as martyrs because they would not deny him. Yet his teachings have influenced millions in every generation all over the world.

Who is this Jesus? Let us look at the account penned by his followers who were eye witnesses to his life or had access to those who knew him best. These four men each gave separate accounts of the events of this one Jewish preacher who has changed the world. This account is by Matthew, previously named Levi, a tax collector who became a follower of Jesus.

Matt 1:18-21 - This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (NIV)

Next is the account given by Luke, a Gentile physician, who wrote of the things that had taken place prior to 62AD.

Luke 1:26-35 - In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth , a town in Galilee 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."  34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (NIV)

This Jesus then, according to the Gospel accounts, was born of a virgin. We must then conclude that this baby's Father is God. If his father is God, then our next conclusion must be that Jesus of Nazareth is both God and man.

Let us continue.

Mary and Joseph who lived in Nazareth, were required to travel to Bethlehem for a census, shortly before the child was born. They both belonged to the House of David.

Luke 2:1-7 - 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria .)  3 And everyone went to his own town to register.  4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David , because he belonged to the house and line of David.  5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NIV)

Let us take a look at the works of Josephus, the historian, born in 37AD. He shows that Herod the Great died in 4BC. Jesus was born in Bethlehem between four and six BC. We know this because the Bible tells us that three sages from the East came to King Herod. They told the king that they followed the Star, which foretold the birth of the "King of the Jews". This star was acknowledged to be the sign of this great Kings' birth. They thought that King Herod would know where this king, foretold to all the prophets of the past, would be born.  Herod could not tell them, for he knew nothing of any "new king" and saw this as a threat to his own power. Herod asked that when these sages found the child that they return and tell Herod so he too could worship him. This was a lie. Herod had no intention of worshipping him. Instead he wanted him dead.

Matt 2:1-8 - After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem   2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."  3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:  6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"  7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." (NIV)

Joseph and Mary stayed in Bethlehem after Jesus' birth. When the Sages from the east came and found Jesus, they brought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. In a dream, an angel warned Joseph to take the child and go to Egypt to protect the child.  

     These Wise Men,  however, returned to their homeland by another route after being told not to return to Herod in a dream. Herod was infuriated when he realized the sages had disobeyed his command. He then asked the Biblical Scholars of the time, "Where is the Messiah to be born"? The Scholars told Herod that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem . Herod was so enraged that someone could threaten his throne that he ordered all the male children in Bethlehem, who were  two years of age and under, be murdered. We know that Herod died in the year 4 BC. He had ordered the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem about two years earlier.

We hear nothing more of Jesus in the Scripture until he is in Jerusalem at twelve years of age, questioning the teachers in the temple. They were amazed at his knowledge. He then returned to his home and did not reappear in the Bible until he was Baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist, in the Jordan River .  He was then about thirty years of age.  He began his public life.

Matt 4:18-20 -  As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee , he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  20 At once they left their nets and followed him. (NIV)

He called a chosen group of men to come and follow him while he taught them and performed many miracles and signs and wonders.

Matt 4:23-25  -  Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.  25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem , Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. (NIV)

Jesus taught the following things to those who heard him. This teaching is very different from the thinking of the Jews. They admired people who were successful in the worlds eyes. Jesus taught that God looked at the heart and admired kindness and goodness and mercy. This was all new to them.  They believed that being successful was the most important sign of God's approval and blessing.

Matt 5:1-20 - 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.  10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (NIV)

This was a man who grew up in a remote town in northern Judea . He was thought to be the son of a carpenter. He traveled only a few hundred miles from the place he was born. He had a following for three years, during which time he preached a gospel of peace. He told his followers to turn the other cheek when they were attacked. He told them to love their enemies. He healed everyone who came to him. He even raised people from the dead. He taught his followers to do everything that was opposed to their natural inclinations.

Matt 5:44-48 -  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (NIV)

            Why would Jesus tell us to be perfect? Everyone knows that is impossible. Only Jesus could be perfect because he was sinless. We can be obedient to this command only by following Jesus. Not that we will be perfect, but if we are His, we will grow more like Him day by day as we follow.

              After three years, when his popularity grew and the people declared him their Messiah, the leaders of the Jews felt threatened. The people were following Jesus, rather than the teachers and leaders in positions of authority in the Jewish community. The leaders wanted to get rid of him. They could not kill anyone under the Jewish law so they devised a plan to accuse him of insurrection and stirring the people to rebellion. This was false. Even Pilate, the Roman Governor, could find no fault in him. However, he feared the people for they were crying out to him to crucify Jesus. He did not want trouble with the Jews so he washed his hands of the whole thing and ordered Jesus to be crucified.

        Jesus hung on a cross in the place called Golgotha .  He had been whipped and crowned with needle-like thorns.  A sign was placed over him as he was nailed to that cross.  It read; "King of the Jews".  They meant it as an insult.  They did not realize it was truth.

Luke 24:37-43  - They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 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."  40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. (NIV)

They realized he was really alive. They saw him die on that cross. They helped place him in the tomb. Yet he was alive!

Luke 24:44-47 -  He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (NIV)

              Jesus came to this earth for one purpose. He led a sinless life. He paid the price for the sin of all mankind when he gave his life on the cross of Calvary . If you look through the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, God always required a blood sacrifice to cover sin, the blood of a spotless, unblemished lamb. Jesus was the only person who ever lived without sin. He is the only person ever worthy to shed his blood to cover the sin of all mankind. God had a plan from the foundation of the world and he loved us so much that he sent his only son to pay for our sins.

John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (NKJ)

How else can you explain a man who died almost two thousand years ago, who, as an adult, never left the country of his birth. He had a small band of followers. Every follower laid down his life, in Jesus name, except one who betrayed him. Jesus never even wrote a book. Yet we date our calendar according to his birth. We celebrate his birthday and exchange gifts and sing of his greatness. His death is mourned every year and he is honored with churches and ministries and organizations which operate in his name. He is the Son of God. If not, then how do you explain his amazing effect on humanity in the last two thousand years? Why are you looking into his existence today? There is only one reason. He is the person he claimed, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. He came to open the gates of heaven and save us from our sins.

You see, there is no way in which you or I or anyone else can pay for our own sin. God is pure and holy. He requires payment from someone who is, like him, sinless. Since there is no way we can ever meet this requirement, God Himself, gave us the answer. He sent his own Son. A sinless, sacrificial lamb of God. Jesus was born to die in payment for our sins. Therefore, we cannot earn heaven. All that is necessary is a step of faith. Jesus did all the work. He offers his own sacrifice as a free gift to you today. All you have to do is receive what Jesus offers you today "The Free Gift of Eternal Life". Give your life to him today. Receive what He offers and you will have the assurance of eternal life. He gave his life for you. Give yours to him today. Say this prayer:

Lord, Jesus Christ, I am sorry for my sins.

I know that you died on the cross for me.
Thank you for paying for my sins

I invite you into my life, as my personal Lord and Savior.

I give you my life today.

Thank you for saving me.

Amen

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