Jesus Christ - Lord and Savior of the World

Jesus of Nazareth—he is the Christ, the "Anointed One," or the "Messiah." The name "Jesus" is derived from the Hebrew-Aramaic word "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh [the Lord] is salvation." The name "Christ" is actually a title for Jesus. It comes from the Greek word "Christos," meaning "the Anointed One," or "Messiah" in Hebrew.
Jesus is the central figure in Christianity. His life, message and ministry are chronicled in the four Gospels of the New Testament.

Most Bible scholars agree that Jesus was a Jewish teacher from Galilee who performed many miracles of healing and deliverance. He called 12 Jewish men to follow him, working closely with them to train and prepare them to carry on the ministry.
Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem by order of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, for claiming to be the King of the Jews. He resurrected three days after his death, appeared to his disciples, and then ascended into heaven.

His life and death provided the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Man was separated from God through Adam's sin, but reconciled back to God through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. He will claim his Bride, the church, and later return at his Second Coming to judge the world and establish his eternal kingdom, thus fulfilling messianic prophecy.

Jesus Christ's Accomplishments:

Jesus Christ's accomplishments are too numerous to list. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life. He turned water into wine, healed many sick, blind and lame people, he forgave sins, he multiplied fish and loaves of bread to feed thousands on more than one occasion, he delivered the demon possessed, he walked on water, he calmed the stormy sea, he raised children and adults from death to life. Jesus Christ proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God.

He laid down his life and was crucified. He descended into hell and took the keys of death and hell. He resurrected from the dead. Jesus Christ paid for the sins of the world and purchased the pardon of men. He restored man's fellowship with God, opening the way to eternal life. These are just a few of his extraordinary accomplishments.

Jesus Christ's Strengths:

Though difficult to understand, the Bible teaches and Christians believe that Jesus is God, or Immanuel, "God with us." Jesus Christ has always existed and has always been God (John 8:58 and 10:30).
For more information about Christ's divinity, visit this study of the doctrine of the trinity.

Jesus Christ's Weaknesses:

Also difficult to understand, yet the Bible teaches and most Christians believe, Jesus Christ was not only fully God, but fully man. He became a human being so that he could identify with our weaknesses and struggles, and most importantly so that he could give his life to pay the penalty for our sins (John 1:1,14; Hebrews 2:17; Philippians 2:5-11).
Check out this resource for more information about why Jesus had to die.

Life Lessons:

Once again, the lessons from Jesus Christ's life are too numerous to list. Love for mankind, sacrifice, humility, purity, servanthood, obedience and devotion to God are some of the most important lessons that his life exemplified.

Hometown:

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea and grew up in Nazareth in Galilee.

Referenced in the Bible:

Jesus is mentioned more than 1200 times in the New Testament. His life, message and ministry are recorded in the four Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Occupation:

Jesus' earthly father, Joseph, was a carpenter, or skilled craftsman by trade. Most likely, Jesus worked alongside his father Joseph as a carpenter. In the book of Mark, chapter 6, verse 3, Jesus is referred to as a carpenter.

Family Tree:

Heavenly Father - God the Father
Earthly Father - Joseph
Mother - Mary
Brothers - James, Joseph, Judas and Simon (Mark 3:31 and 6:3; Matthew 12:46 and 13:55; Luke 8:19)
Sisters - Not named but mentioned in Matthew 13:55-56 and Mark 6:3.
The Genealogy of Jesus: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-37

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Good new......Are You Save? Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

REFLECTIONS:

If the gospel message is good news, then why do so many oppose it with hostility and even violence? Jesus warns his followers that they will be confronted with persecution, wickedness, false teaching, and temptation. The real enemy of the gospel is Satan whom Jesus calls a "murderer" and "father of lies" (John 8:44). Satan uses fear and hatred to provoke hostility in others towards those who follow Jesus Christ. And what is Jesus' response to this hostility and opposition? Love, truth, and forgiveness. Only love can defeat prejudice, intollerance, hatred, and envy. God's love purifies our hearts and minds of all that would divide and tear people apart. The truth is also essential for overcoming evil and tribulation in the world. Satan deceives and sin blinds the heart and mind. Only God's truth can free us from error and spiritual blindness. The gospel is God's word of truth and salvation. That is why Jesus tells his disciples to proclaim the gospel throughout the whole world (Mark 16:15), even in the midst of opposition and persecution.
Jesus tells his disciples that if they endure to the end they will gain their lives they will see God's salvation and inherit eternal life and happiness with God. Endurance is more than human effort and perseverance. It is a supernational gift of the Holy Spirit which enables us to bear up under any trial, temptation, and form of persecution. Endurance is strengthened with hope the supernatural assurance that we will see God face to face and inherit all the promises he has made. Jesus is our supreme model and hero who endured the cross for our sake (Hebrews 12:2). "God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus willingly shed his blood for our sake and for our salvation and he calls us to lay down our lives for one another and to take up our cross in like manner (John 15:12-13; 1 John 3:16).

The word "martyr" in the New Testament Greek means "witness". The Book of Revelations says that "Jesus was the faithful witness ...who freed us from our sins by his blood" (Revelations 1:5). Tertullian, a second century lawyer who converted when he saw Christians singing as they went out to die by the hands of their persecutors, exclaimed: "The blood of the martyrs is seed." Their blood is the seed of new Christians, the seed of the church. The third century bishop, Cyprian said: "When persecution comes, God's soldiers are put to the test, and heaven is open to martyrs. We have not enlisted in an army to think of peace and to decline battle, for we see that the Lord has taken first place in the conflict." True martyrs live and die as witnesses of the gospel. They overcome their enemies through persevering hope and courage, undying love and forebearance, kindness, goodness, and compassion.

St. Augustine of Hippo wrote, "The martyrs were bound, jailed, scourged, racked, burned, rent, butchered and they multiplied!" Why is this the case? The Christian martyrs witnessed to the truth, joy, and freedom of the gospel, by their lives, their testimony, and by the shedding of their own blood for the name of Christ. Today we unfortunately witness many extremists and misguided individuals who will sacrifice their lives, and kill others in the process, out of hatred, revenge, prejudice, and envy. From a Christian point of view, they are not true martyrs because their sacrifice is not motivated by God's merciful love and forgiveness, truth and righteousness.

True martyrs pray for their persecutors and love their enemies. In their suffering and in their death they witness the truth of the gospel that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Jesus gave his life for all who would accept him as their savior whether Jew or Greek, Christian or Muslim, agnostic or atheist. Satan seeks to destroy our faith through the fear of death and he incites others to persecute Christians for their faith in Christ. Martyrs who shed their blood for Jesus Christ win great victory, not only for themselves, but for the whole people of God. The martyrs overcome Satan by enduring suffering and death through their faith in Christ who died and rose for us. And through their witness many others recognize the victory which Christ won on the cross. The martyrs witness to the truth the truth of Jesus Christ and his power to overcome sin, fear, hatred, violence, and prejudice, and even death itself. What gives courage and confidence to the martyrs is the firm hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life and and unending happiness with God.

God may call some of us to be martyrs for our faith. But for most of us, our call is to be 'dry' martyrs who bear testimony to the joy and power of the gospel in the midst of daily challenges, contradictions, temptations and adversities which come our way as we follow the Lord Jesus. What will attract others to the truth and power of the gospel? When they see Christians loving their enemies, being joyful in suffering, patient in adversity, pardoning injuries, and showing comfort and compassion to the hopeless and the helpless. Jesus tells us that we do not need to fear our adversaries. God will give us sufficient grace, strength, and wisdom to face any trial and to answer any challenge to our faith. Are you ready to lay down your life for Christ and to bear witness to the joy and freedom of the gospel?

"Lord Jesus Christ, by your atoning death on the cross you have redeemed the world. Fill me with joyful hope, courage, and boldness to witness the truth of your love for sinners and your victory over the powers of sin, Satan, and death."

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