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Subject: Who Is Jesus Christ?
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jayc08 10.06.10 - 03:36am
What is Jesus special role?
Where did he come from?
What kind of person was he?
THERE are many famous people in the world. Some are well-known in their own community, city, or country. Others are known worldwide. However, just knowing the name of someone famous does not mean that you truly know him. It does not mean that you know details about his background and what he is really like as a person.
2 People around the world have heard something about Jesus Christ, even though he lived on earth some 2,000 years ago. Yet, many are confused about who Jesus really was. Some say that he was merely a good man. Others claim that he was nothing more than a prophet. Still others believe that Jesus is God and should be worshiped. Should he?
3 It is important for you to know the truth about Jesus. Why? Because the Bible says: This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. (John 17:3) Yes, knowing the truth about Jehovah God and about Jesus Christ can lead to everlasting life on a paradise earth. (John 14:6) Furthermore, Jesus sets the best example of how to live and how to treat others. (John 13:34, 35) In the first chapter of this book, we discussed the truth about God. Now let us consider what the Bible really teaches about Jesus Christ.
THE PROMISED MESSIAH
4 Long before Jesus was born, the Bible foretold the coming of the one whom God would send as the Messiah, or Christ. The titles Messiah (from a Hebrew word) and Christ (from a Greek word) both mean Anointed One. This promised One would be anointed, that is, appointed by God to a special position. In later chapters of this book, we will learn more about the Messiahs important place in the fulfillment of Gods promises. We will also learn about the blessings that Jesus can bring us even now. Before Jesus was born, however, many no doubt wondered, Who will prove to be the Messiah?
5 In the first century C.E., the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth were fully convinced that he was the foretold Messiah. (John 1:41) One of the disciples, a man named Simon Peter, openly said to Jesus: You are the Christ. (Matthew 16:16) How, though, could those disciplesand how can webe sure that Jesus really is the promised Messiah?
6 The prophets of God who lived before Jesus foretold many details about the Messiah. These details would help others to identify him. We might illustrate things this way: Suppose you were asked to go to a busy bus depot or a train station or an airport to pick up someone you had never met before. Would it not help if someone gave you a few details about him? Similarly, by means of the Bible prophets, Jehovah gave a rather detailed description of what the Messiah would do and what he would experience. The fulfillment of these many prophecies would help faithful ones to identify him clearly.
7 Consider just two examples. First, over 700 years in advance, the prophet Micah foretold that the promised One would be born in Bethlehem, a small town in the land of Judah. (Micah 5:2) Where was Jesus actually born? Why, in that very town! (Matthew 2:1, 3-9) Second, many centuries in advance, the prophecy recorded at Daniel 9:25 pointed to the very year when the Messiah was to appear29 C.E.* The fulfillment of these and other prophecies proves that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
8 Further proof that Jesus was the Messiah became clear near the end of 29 C.E. That is the year when Jesus went to John the Baptizer to be baptized in the Jordan River. Jehovah had promised John a sign so that he could identify the Messiah. John saw that sign at Jesus baptism. The Bible says that this is what happened: After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove Gods spirit coming upon him. Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved. (Matthew 3:16, 17) After seeing and hearing what happened, John had no doubt that Jesus was sent by God. (John 1:32-34) At the moment when Gods spirit, or active force, was poured out upon him that day, Jesus became the Messiah, or Christ, the one appointed to be Leader and King.Isaiah 55:4.
9 The fulfillment of Bible prophecy and Jehovah Gods own testimony plainly show that Jesus was the promised Messiah. But the Bible answers two other important questions about Jesus Christ: Where did he come from, and what kind of person was he?
WHERE DID JESUS COME FROM?
10 The Bible teaches that Jesus lived in heaven before he came to earth. Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and also said that His origin was from early times. (Micah 5:2) On many occasions, Jesus himself said that he lived in heaven before being born as a human. (John 3:13; 6:38, 62; 17:4, 5) As a spirit creature in heaven, Jesus had a special relationship with Jehovah.
11 Jesus is Jehovahs most precious Sonand for good reason. He is called the firstborn of all creation, for he was Gods first creation. (Colossians 1:15) There is something else that makes this Son special. He is the only-begotten Son. (John 3:16) This means that Jesus is the only one directly created by God. Jesus is also the only one whom God used when He created all other things. (Colossians 1:16) Then, too, Jesus is called the Word. (John 1:14) This tells us that he spoke for God, no doubt delivering messages and instructions to the Fathers other sons, both spirit and human.
12 Is the firstborn Son equal to God, as some believe? That is not what the Bible teaches. As we noted in the preceding paragraph, the Son was created. Obviously, then, he had a beginning, whereas Jehovah God has no beginning or end. (Psalm 90:2) The only-begotten Son never even considered trying to be equal to his Father. The Bible clearly teaches that the Father is greater than the Son. (John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 11:3) Jehovah alone is God Almighty. (Genesis 17:1) Therefore, he has no equal.%
13 Jehovah and his firstborn Son enjoyed close association for billions of yearslong before the starry heavens and the earth were created. How they must have loved each other! (John 3:35; 14:31) This dear Son was just like his Father. That is why the Bible refers to the Son as the image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15) Yes, even as a human son may closely resemble his father in various ways, this heavenly Son reflected his Fathers qualities and personality.
14 Jehovahs only-begotten Son willingly left heaven and came down to earth to live as a human. But you may wonder, How was it possible for a spirit creature to be born as a human? To accomplish this, Jehovah performed a miracle. He transferred the life of his firstborn Son from heaven to the womb of a Jewish virgin named Mary. No human father was involved. Mary thus gave birth to a perfect son and named him Jesus.Luke 1:30-35.
WHAT KIND OF PERSON WAS JESUS?
15 What Jesus said and did while on earth helps us to get to know him well. More than that, through Jesus we come to know Jehovah better. Why is this the case? Recall that this Son is a perfect reflection of his Father. That is why Jesus told one of his disciples: He that has seen me has seen the Father also. (John 14:9) The four Bible books known as the GospelsMatthew, Mark, Luke, and Johntell us much about the life, activity, and personal qualities of Jesus Christ.
16 Jesus was well-known as Teacher. (John 1:38; 13:13) What did he teach? Primarily, his message was the good news of the kingdomthat is, Gods Kingdom, the heavenly government that will rule over the entire earth and will bring endless blessings to obedient humans. (Matthew 4:23) Whose message was this? Jesus himself said: What I teach is not mine, but belongs to him that sent me, namely, Jehovah. (John 7:16) Jesus knew that his Father wants humans to hear about the good news of the Kingdom. In Chapter 8, we will learn more about Gods Kingdom and what it will accomplish.
17 Where did Jesus do his teaching? Everywhere he found peoplein the countryside as well as in cities, in villages, in marketplaces, and in their homes. Jesus did not expect people to come to him. He went to them. (Mark 6:56; Luke 19:5, 6) Why did Jesus go to such lengths and spend so much of his time preaching and teaching? Because doing so was Gods will for him. Jesus always did his Fathers will. (John 8:28, 29) But there was another reason why he preached. He felt compassion for the crowds of people who came out to see him. (Matthew 9:35, 36) They were neglected by their religious leaders, who should have been teaching them the truth about God and his purposes. Jesus knew how much the people needed to hear the Kingdom message.
18 Jesus was a man of tender warmth and deep feelings. Others thus found him to be approachable and kind. Even children felt at ease with him. ( *
