WHO IS JESUS CHRIST TO YOU?
by Pastor Jonathan Ladd
Today I want to ask you this question.
“Who is Jesus Christ to you?”. Many people see him differently. Some see him as enlighten teacher or prophet or just a man.
Some don’t think he existed, others see him as an angel, still others see him as son of God. How do you see Jesus Christ, those who are reading this? Many things have been said or taught or said about him.
I am going share some things known from Bible about him. In Matthew chapter 1:1-17, you can read the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
This chapter lists him from coming from Abraham family line. Does this mean he was man? Abraham being father partiarch of the tribe of Israel and other people too. In Matthew 1:8-25, and Luke 1:26-38 you can read this for yourself, how he was born of a virgin. Here are the keys verses that I will share, from Matthew 1:18- 24, 18 This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David’s family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God’s Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph was a good man[a] and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. 20 While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. 21 Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus,[b] because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” (CEV)
We see here he was born of a virgin. You can also read this in Luke to in the Bible. His virgin birth was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah 7:14 too in the Bible.
But as we can see from this Jesus was not just a man. In fact, he was going to save his people from their sins, and he shall be called Immanuel which means “God is with us”. In John 1:14 the gospel of John, Jesus is call Word, it is him that described here. Also in chapter 1:1-1-16 of John, we read the world was made through him and he also was with God, and he gave people right who excepted him to become sons of God. Jesus himself said in the gospel of John 14:1-12, “have faith in me and God who is”, in this chapter, he is with Father(GOD). Does mean that they are different Gods? No! In chapter 14 of gospel of John verses 6-7 we read 6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. 7 If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.” (CEV) Also further down we read in chapter 14:8-12 we read
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.” 9 Jesus replied: Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don’t you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father? 10 Don’t you believe that I am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me? What I say isn’t said on my own. The Father who lives in me does these things. 11 Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do. 12 I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things that I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father. (CEV)
Jesus says in this chapter He is one with father, so cannot be just man. One of his disciples said by knowledge from the Father when asked who do men say I am he said Christ, the son of Living God. Let’s read this shall we from Matthew 16:13-17, 13 Now when Jesus went into the [c]region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.” 17 Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (AMP)
Jesus is the anointed one of God , the Christ, the Messiah, Anointed of God. (Christ meaning the anointed one) also Messiah meaning promised deliver of Jews they were looking for.
Now answer some facts based on what Bible say here, that Jesus is not just man.
Also He is not an angel based on what said so far. Now if anyone don’t believe he is real, believe this will open eyes up more to truth. Without him, you do not know God most high. Jesus came to save people from their sins. He died on the cross to save us from our sins, in 1 Peter 22-25 we read 22 He committed no sin, nor was deceit ever found in His mouth. 23 While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly.
24 He personally carried our sins in His body on the [a]cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been [b]healed. 25 For you were continually wandering like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. (AMP)
So I would challenge you reading these verses in the Bible. There are many more about Jesus. Do you need him or does this have a meaning for you? Do you have peace with life? Thank you for reading.
Love you all.
Pastor Jonathan Ladd