The Truth About Jesus

Who is Jesus? Who is this man who has been written about and scrutinized more than any other man? The man who divided history, has divided nations, communities, and even families. The man who is more than a man and more than an icon. No other ever dared to say the things that Jesus said, claim the things that Jesus claimed, or do the things that Jesus did. He wasn't born into wealth or nobility. His mother was an underage peasant girl, betrothed but pregnant - and not by her designated bridegroom. The antithesis of a legendary hero's origin if stature is the desire of the narrative. He wasn't a governor's son or an academically renowned scholar. Yet His words carry profound impact and still resonate around the globe today. He declared, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away," (Matthew 24:35). He never held public office or led an army. He never owned a home or business, nor did He travel more than two hundred miles from His birthplace. His exploits would not be considered great by secular standards, yet His greatness is unequivocal. He was convicted in a farcical trial and received capital punishment as His reward for doing good. In 1 Peter 2:22--24, the writer informs us, "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth." Jesus was laid to rest in a borrowed tomb and even His closest friends abandoned Him in His hour of need. Yet today He remains front and center in the lives of 2.4 billion Christians worldwide. Wars have been fought in His name. Lands have been conquered for His sake, and His followers still refuse to recant their faith in Him, even when faced with certain death. All the kings that ever reigned, all the scholars that ever taught, and all the innovators that ever invented have not even come close to influencing civilization in the manner that Jesus has. No matter what you believe about Jesus, you cannot escape Him. He has impacted humanity on an unprecedented level that is embedded in society, transcends cultures, and challenges generation after generation. Even the way we measure time stems from His birth. Those who reject Christ are compelled to denounce Him and those who embrace Him find peace beyond understanding. Ample evidence, both biblical and nonbiblical, attests that Jesus was a historical figure. He is mentioned in the writings of Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, Justin Martyr, Suetonius, Josephus as well as others. These historians had no reason to believe that Jesus was made up and their work corroborates portions of the New Testament. early Christian writers such as Clement of Rome, Ignatius, and Polycarp confirm the New Testament and verify the truth about Jesus. The Christian movement, despite severe persecution in its infancy, survived due to the conviction that Jesus was who He claimed to be, and many early Christians were martyred for their faith. No one refuses to recant their beliefs in the face of execution unless they are fully convinced that their beliefs are true. Jesus remains to be God's proof that He not only exists but that the Bible is His word. Furthermore, the fact that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred people His resurrection, is proof that He rose from the dead. If that doesn't convince you that God is who He claims to be, then you will not be convinced by any amount of evidence supporting His existence. Over the last two millennia, through the eyes of the world, the image of Christ has become cloaked, opaque, distant, and distorted in a multitude of ideologies that reflect philosophical and cultural beliefs. Many believe that Jesus was a historical figure but deny that He was the Messiah and say that He was just a good teacher or simply a prophet. However, if you examine what Jesus said about Himself you will see clearly that He claimed to be God and that He alone is the way and the truth and the life. He declared that no one comes to God except through Him. His radical teaching drew condemnation from the religious establishment, which ultimately crucified Him for blasphemy. So, it is nonsensical to conclude that He was just a good teacher or simply a prophet. He either was who He claimed, or He was a complete lunatic, a deluded fool or an outright liar. John 14:6 records Jesus telling His disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This profound declaration cannot be overstated. No other person in history ever made the bold claims that Jesus did. No other figure dared to challenge the existing paradigm of religion and mankind's understanding of God the way He did. Only Jesus could demolish the barriers that separate man from God and redeem mankind through the sacrifice of Himself as atonement for our sins and subsequently rise from the dead in His conquest over it. This amazing man has a metamorphic impact on the spiritually dead and revitalizes those who put their faith in Him. He has altered civilization by changing one heart at a time. The mustard seed has grown and yielded a harvest that is more than many thousand-fold and impacts all of humanity. Jesus's words and actions resonate throughout the earth and transcend time, cultures and languages. Great leaders lead by example, and Jesus is the epitome of great leadership. He exuded compassion for the marginalized, wisdom for the inquisitive, strength for the weary, reverence for our Father in heaven, and courage to remain faithful , even if it meant His own death. And even in death, He paved the way through it to eternal life! No one else even comes close to exemplifying that kind of leadership and no one ever will. even His enemies were captivated by Him. Pilate was perplexed and the temple guards conceded, "No one ever spoke the way this man does," (John 6:46).