Jesus is one of the most influential people in history—but who is He, really?
Was He simply a great teacher? A prophet? A moral example? Or was He exactly who He claimed to be—the Son of God and the Savior of the world?
Almost everyone has heard the name Jesus.
But many people know only pieces of His story.
Some know Him through childhood stories.
Others through church traditions.
Some only through what they’ve heard from other people.
John 14:6 and John 3:16
To truly know Jesus, read His own words in the the first four books (Gospels) of the New Testimate — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These were among the disciples of Jesus.
John 1:1-14
The book, The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel below lays this out beautifully.
No amount of good works, kindness, religion, or effort can erase that separation (sin). It requires and is freely given when we accept Jesus Christ as our savior and through the grace of God.
Why we recommend this book? Often times people approach God from their mind’s perspective and try to rationalize and use logic to determine their beliefs (or lack thereof). Often our beliefs are shaped by perception and untruths. Learn how one atheist set out to prove his wive wrong and ended up one of Gods most dedicated believers. Lee Strobel (lawyer, former legal reporter for a National publication, former atheist, and now born-again Christian), does a beautiful job in making the case for why both the bible and its content is real. He set out to disprove Christ and instead became born-again. We invite you to learn why.
— The Journey from Atheist to Born Again and Why —
” Is there credible proof that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God?”
“My wife became a Christian and I wanted to prove her wrong.”
Lee Strobel: Former Lawyer, Atheist, Legal Editor, and Skeptic — and now Christian Pastor at Woodlands Church
In The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel, former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and New York Times bestselling author, retraces his own spiritual journey from atheism to faith and builds a captivating case for Christ's divinity.
Answer: The word Gospel means “Good News.” In the bible, the first four books of the New Testament are considered the Gospel. They are the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each of these were dicipels of Jesus. BIBLE
Don’t expect fire and brimstone or the Heavens to open. Do expect a thought or whisper in you mind. The more you quiet the chatter of your normal mind (ego), the easier it is to hear the voice of the Lord. The best approach is to keep asking and keep listening. Keep paying attention to the small positive things in life. As your faith grows, so does your relationship.
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Rome reserved crucifixion for the worst of the worst criminals.
Jesus was not found guilty of anything, but Pontius Pilate actually wanted to let him go free. The customs of the day allowed for the release of a prisoner on Passover. Pilate offered the crowd a choice between releasing a criminal named Barabbas or Jesus. They chose to release Barabbas and have Jesus curcified even though he had not been found guilty of anything against Rome.
Pilate bowed to political pressure.
Thereby fulfilling the scriptures of the Old Testament.
The Roman historian Tacitus, writing in the early second century, recorded that Christus—the founder of Christianity—“suffered the extreme penalty” during the reign of the Roman emperor Tiberius at the hands of Pontius Pilate. Tacitus was not a Christian and wrote about Christians with considerable hostility.
Before being taken to the cross, Jesus was scourged by Roman soldiers. The scourging was brutally severe, with a Roman whip designed to tear the flesh. The soldiers then placed a crown of thorns on His head, struck Him, spit on Him, and mocked Him as “King of the Jews.” [Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 53:3–5; Psalm 22:7–8]
Jesus was then forced to carry His cross toward Golgotha. Weakened by the beating, He eventually could not continue, and Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry it for Him. [Isaiah 53:7]
At Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to the cross through His hands and feet and lifted up between two criminals. The soldiers divided His clothing among themselves and cast lots for His garments, fulfilling the words written in Psalm 22:16–18.
Those watching mocked Him. Religious leaders, soldiers, and even one of the criminals insulted Him, challenging Him to save Himself. [Psalm 22:7–8] Yet Jesus did not retaliate or call for rescue. He prayed for those crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Darkness covered the land. Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” — the very words written centuries earlier in Psalm 22:1.
Jesus became thirsty, and He was given sour wine to drink, fulfilling Psalm 69:21. After hours on the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” Then He said, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit,” echoing Psalm 31:5, and He died.
The soldiers came to break the legs of those being crucified to hasten their deaths. They did not break Jesus’ legs, because He was already dead. This fulfilled Psalm 34:20 and the Passover instruction concerning the lamb in Exodus 12:46.
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. [Zechariah 12:10]
Jesus was taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man. [Isaiah 53:9]
The crucifixion was not simply an execution. Christians believe that Jesus willingly endured this suffering for our sins, fulfilling the picture of the suffering Servant described in Isaiah 53:5–6:
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.”
And then, three days later, the tomb was found empty.
Scripture reveals who God is.
