Don Stewart :: Is It Important to Examine the Life of Jesus Christ?

Is It Important to Examine the Life of Jesus Christ? What Makes Him So Special?

The Existence of Jesus Christ – Question 1

Why is it so important to consider the life of Jesus Christ? Granted, He is a famous historical figure, but what makes Jesus so special? Why should we take the time to study who He was and what He did?

The reason that it is important to examine the life of Jesus of Nazareth goes beyond historical curiosity. When Jesus Christ came to earth, He claimed that the eternal destiny of every man, woman, and child would depend upon how they viewed Him.

If His claims are true, then the decision we make about Jesus will determine whether we spend eternity with Him, or without Him. Nothing could be more important.

Therefore, it is crucial that we understand where the life and ministry of Jesus fits into the total biblical story of God’s dealings with the human race.

1. The Story of the Bible Is the Story of God and Humanity

The message of the Bible can be summed up as follows: In the beginning an all-powerful, personal God created the heavens and the earth. In His final act of creation God created man and woman. The God of the Bible put them in a perfect environment giving them everything they needed for happiness.

But the man and woman sinned against God. Indeed, they disobeyed the only negative commandment which He had given them. Their disobedience led to a separation between them and God. They were banished from the paradise that God had provided for them.

2. God’s Promise To The Human Race: A Savior

But God did not want matters to stay that way. He promised that He would take care of the sin that separated humanity from Himself. The Old Testament contains a number of promises that a Savior, or Messiah, would come and solve the sin problem.

The New Testament opens with the birth of this Promised One. His name is Jesus, which means “Yahweh is my salvation.” He is also given the title Christ, which means “the Messiah.” He was the One whom the Old Testament prophets wrote and spoke about.

3. The Savior Reveals Himself to the World

Some thirty years after Jesus’ birth, a rugged individual named John the Baptist appeared in the Judean desert announcing the soon appearance of the promised Messiah. When Jesus arrived at the Jordan River where John was baptizing, He was identified by John as the “Lamb of God,” the one who would take away the sins of the world.

After He was baptized, Jesus was tempted for forty days in the wilderness by the devil. Once His temptation was complete, the sinless Jesus began His public ministry.

4. Jesus’ Unmatchable Deeds: He Did Things No One Else Has Ever Done

Jesus’ public ministry lasted some three short years, but in that time He lived a life such as no one has lived before or since. He did things that no one else has ever done. He healed the lame, the blind, the deaf and the mute.

On one occasion Jesus caused a storm to immediately cease. His friend Lazarus was four days dead but Jesus brought him back to life. The people of His day, upon seeing the miracles that Jesus did, testified, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:12) Indeed, nobody else has ever seen such things.

5. Jesus’ Unmatchable Words: He Said Things No One Else Has Ever Said

Jesus also said things such as no one else has ever said. After Jesus finished delivering the Sermon on the Mount to the people, which is recorded in Matthew 5-7, the Scripture records that the crowds were astonished at His teaching. He spoke to them as One who had authority.

Indeed, Jesus claimed authority. He had authority over disease, authority over nature, authority over the supernatural, and authority over life and death. He claimed to be the One who had the power to forgive sins, to raise the dead on judgment day, and to grant eternal life to whoever believed in Him.

6. Jesus Died for the World’s Sins and Then Rose from the Dead

He was betrayed by one of His own disciples and crucified under the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Yet the New Testament records that three days later He appeared to His disciple alive. He had risen from the dead just as He said He would. By doing this, Jesus demonstrated the truth of His claims.

Furthermore, the Bible says Jesus’ death on the cross was for the sins of the world. His death has made it possible for humankind to have the broken relationship with God restored. To receive forgiveness of sin and life everlasting life, Scripture says that one must believe in Jesus Christ. This means accepting His sacrifice on our behalf.

Eternal life is thus a free gift. We cannot earn it. All we can do is believe in Him for Jesus Christ had done it all.

7. Jesus Ascended into Heaven and Has Promised to Return

The Bible also says that Jesus ascended into heaven some forty days after His resurrection. He has been exalted at the right hand of God. Scripture promises that He will return someday and judge the living and the dead.

8. Our View of Jesus Determines Where We Will Spend Eternity

Finally, according to Scripture, what we do with Jesus Christ will determine where we spend eternity. Humanity is divided into two groups: the saved and the lost. Those who believe in Jesus, the saved, will enjoy everlasting life in His presence. Those who do not believe in Him are the lost. They will spend eternity apart from God because they have rejected the only means of salvation which God has provided.

This briefly sums up the message of Scripture. As we can see, the stakes could not be higher. If Jesus is the One whom He claimed to be, then the eternal destiny of each of us is based upon what we do with Him. Therefore, it is crucial that we examine the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Summary – Question 1
Is It Important to Examine the Life of Jesus?

It is crucial that each of us take the time to examine the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Why? It is because Jesus Christ’s identity is of utmost importance. It is imperative that we consider the claims made about Him and see if He is indeed the One whom He made Himself out to be. We make the following observations.

To begin with, the story of the Bible is the story of the human race. It tells us who we are, how we got here, that there is a God who exists as well as what He requires of us. From Scripture we find that a perfect God created a perfect world. However, this perfection was spoiled when the first humans, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God. Their sin caused separation from God.

Immediately the Lord promised humanity that He would someday provide a Savior who would heal the broken relationship between God and the human race. Some two thousand years ago this promised was realized when in the fullness of time, God the Son, Jesus Christ, came into our world.

The four gospels record the life and ministry of Jesus. We find that He said things which nobody else has ever said and done things which nobody else has ever done. Jesus Christ was unique.

Indeed, He was one of a kind having no like or equal. Among other things, Jesus claimed to be the one way in which a person could reach the one God. There would be no salvation apart from Him.

The gospels tell us that Jesus died on a cross for the sins of the world; the innocent dying for the guilty. However, He did not stay dead. Three days later He rose from the dead. His resurrection demonstrated that the claims which He made Himself were true.

Forty days after His resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven. He remains at the right hand of God waiting the time He will return. When He does return He will judge the living and the dead.

The Bible says that our view of Jesus Christ will determine where we will spend eternity. Those who trust Him as Savior will receive everlasting life while those who reject His free gift of salvation will spend eternity apart from Him.

If His claims are true, then there is no issue which is of greater significance for the human race. Consequently, it is exceedingly important that we examine the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.