Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?

 We have come to another month, in spite of the pandemic and other challenges we might have faced this year we thank the Lord for his grace and mercy that we are alive.

Jesus meaning saviour in Hebrew (Yeshua) God saves, is the embodiment of the fullness of God. He is the physical manifestation of Almighty God in the flesh according to the scriptures. Jesus is the word of God and was God in the beginning before the creation of the heavens and the earth he is the second person of the Holy Trinity (God, Son, and Holy Spirit).

 John 1:1-3 NKJV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Why was it necessary for us to have a saviour in the being of Jesus Christ.

 If you will recall in the beginning (Book of Genesis) after the creation of all things including humans. God gave us an instruction not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which was in the Garden of Eden where the first humans lived (Adam and Eve). However, due to the innocence of man at that time and the earlier fallen into sin of a very dangerous angel (Satan),  Eve and subsequently Adam were deceived into eating the forbidden fruit which brought upon us a curse of death and misery. This one act of disobedience ensured that humanity will suffer death.

 But because God loved us so much (John 3:16), he had to make a way for us to live and the only way we can live and not experience eternal death and separation from God the Father is to bring about an atonement for our sins. This can only be achieved through the shedding of blood as the bible declares that “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin” Hebrews 9:22

 Therefore this man Jesus (saviour of mankind), God in the flesh had to come and be born into the world in order to become an atonement for our sins, to bore the pain of death and cleanse us of all sins including future sins. And he had to do this as a man but sinless whilst on earth (Isaiah 53:5-11).

 Birth of Jesus 

 In the passing of time and according to the prophecy of Isaiah, it came the time for this Jesus our saviour to be born a man born in Bethlehem in Israel through virgin Mary according to the gospels. 

 Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV

[6] For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 Luke 1:30-33 NKJV

[30] Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. [33] And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

 Matthew 1:18-25 NKJV

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. [19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. [20] But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. [21] And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." [22] So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: [23] "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." [24] Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, [25] and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

 The angel of God announced the birth of Jesus to shepherd out in the field so that they can have the honour to worship Jesus. The magi were also told about Jesus through the star to seek out Jesus Christ born in a manger.

 Luke 2:10-14 NKJV

[10] Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. [11] For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: [14] "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

 Who do people say I am?

This is the statement and declaration from those who lived and worked with Jesus in his first earthly manifestation. They knew without doubt  who Jesus is;

 Matthew 16:13-17 NKJV

[13] When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" [14] So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." [15] He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" [16] Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [17] Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

 Salvation is of the Jews according to the bible John 4:22, Jesus (Yeshua) descended from the Highest (heaven) and came to earth to dwell amongst us humans and he became one of us in order to experience the nature of man but yet without sin and finally laid his life down on the cross when he was crucified according to the instructions of Pilate the Governor of Israel. Jesus was buried in a tomb in Jerusalem and on the third day was resurrected from the dead (he came back to life) and gave power and the mandate to his disciples to preach the gospels to all men until he returns .

 How do you become save?

 The simple truth is you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart by faith that Jesus is your Lord and he was raised from the dead having died to take away all your sins and has promised to give you a new life full of the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:9-10).

 Are there other ways to salvation?

 The Holy Scripture made it clear beyond any reasonable doubt that there is only one Lord, one sheep and one fold. And that there is no other way by which humanity can be saved except through the name of Jesus Christ. 

 Acts 4:12 NKJV

[12] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

 There are of course many religions that advocate a way or relationship to God apart from Jesus. However, that would be erroneous and very dangerous because your eternal soul is in danger of destruction. These religions to all intent and purpose is to bring division amongst people thereby creating a false sense of belonging. But the truth is that this religions are primarily man based and some are devoted to worshipping demons rather than God.

 So the succinct answer is that no, there is no other way to being saved apart from Jesus Christ.

 Today when you hear the word of  God do not harden your heart, but allow the word of God to richly dwell in you and work its miracles by transforming you into the person God created you to be.

 Ephesians 3:14-19 NKJV

[14] For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, [16] that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, [17] that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- [19] to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.