Jesus is the Son of God, fully God and fully man. He came to earth and lived a sinless life. Then he died on the cross to offer us salvation. If we trust in his name, our sins are forgiven and we are saved from death to an eternal life with God. 

Jesus is the Promised One

Jesus didn’t come out of nowhere. After the fall, when sin entered the world (Gen. 3), God promised that one day there would be a Messiah. This promised Savior would defeat Satan and free humanity from the grip of sin, restoring their relationship with the holy God (Gen. 3:15). 

The Jewish people waited for the promised Messiah for over two thousand years. When Jesus finally arrived, he wasn’t what they were expecting. The Jews were waiting for a mighty military king to save them from the oppression of the Roman Empire. Instead, Jesus came through humble means.

Jesus Lived Among Us

Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary. Mary conceived him through the work of the Holy Spirit while she was still a virgin. Jesus, the Word made flesh, God of the universe, and the Creator of all things, humbled himself and took the form of a vulnerable human baby. He was born in the humblest of conditions and laid in a manger surrounded by animals (Luke 1:26–28; 2:1–20). 

Most Jewish people didn’t recognize or accept him as the Messiah they’d been waiting for. Throughout his life, he experienced rejection, scorn, mocking, and persecution for speaking the truth of God. 

Jesus came to shatter the world’s perspectives and bring a new and better way of living. In a culture that cast away the sick, Jesus loved them, drew them in, and healed them (Matt. 8). In a world that saw women as second-class citizens, Jesus elevated their status and invited them to be part of his inner circle (Luke 10:38–42). In a society that saw children as commodities, Jesus cared for them, loved them, and invited others to do the same (Luke 18:16). During his life, he demonstrated a better way of living—one of love and sacrifice, welcoming the outcast, and caring for the vulnerable. 

Jesus Died and Rose Again 

Jesus was more than a good teacher or prophet. He is the Savior of the world who left all his glory to die on the cross to redeem us from our broken state (John 19). Christ paid the penalty for our sins so we could be made right with God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). 

Unlike all other religious prophets, Jesus didn’t give us a list of what we need to do to gain God’s favor. We would all fail to live up to that kind of list. Instead, because of his great love for us, he lived the perfect life we never could so that if we put our trust in him, we can be made right before God. Every other religion tells us to strive to reach that point of perfection, but Jesus simply says to come to him. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and he will make you right with God (John 14:6). 

But Jesus didn’t stay in the grave; he defeated death and rose again. His resurrection shows that he is the Son of God (Rom. 1:3–4). Other religions commemorate the graves of their prophets, but death couldn’t hold Jesus in the grave! After three days, he rose again and visited hundreds of witnesses. He appeared to and taught his disciples, then ascended into heaven, where he reigns today. Jesus is in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, and he lives to intercede daily on our behalf (Heb. 1:1–4; Rom. 8:34). What a glorious hope! 

Knowing Jesus 

Placing your faith in Jesus is a lifelong journey of seeking him, knowing who he is, and knowing what he has done and the implications that has for your life. It's a journey that God didn’t intend for us to walk alone. He provides us with the Holy Spirit to help us know Jesus, and a body of believers, the church, to walk alongside us. If you want to follow Jesus, join a local church to connect with Christians in your area. 

All of the Bible points to Jesus. As you read it, you will discover who he is and know him as your Lord and Savior. Open your Bible and gaze upon the mystery of the cross, asking the Lord to reveal Jesus and to transform you into his image!