Who Is Jesus?
You can watch a video on this topic here: Who Is Jesus?
We looked last time at how Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for sin. What qualifies Him for that?
When we talk about the gospel, we are talking about Jesus. You cannot separate Jesus from the message of the gospel–it is all about Him. Mark 1:1 says that it is about “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” The gospel (good news) is about Jesus and includes who He is, which Mark and the other “gospels” are telling us.
We see in the later preaching of the gospel that Jesus is central to the message. Acts 8:35 says that Philip “preached Jesus to him.” Where we might say that the gospel is preached, we can also say that Jesus is preached. You cannot separate the gospel from Jesus. He is the gospel, in a very real sense.
2 Corinthians 11:4 talks about the problem of those who preach “another Jesus whom we have not preached.” We have to know the true Jesus, not just our idea of who He is. To know the true gospel, we must know the true Jesus. So who is Jesus?
Jesus is God
John 1:1-5, and verses 14-18 show clearly that Jesus is the Creator. He has existed for eternity. Hebrews 1 also shows us that Jesus is the Creator. Verses 3-4 tell us that He is the exact representation of the nature of God and He is greater than angels.
Jesus Became Man
In Luke 1:31-35 Gabriel explains to Mary how she will have the Son of God. He is called the Son of God because He was born into the world as a human by the power of God. Philippians 2:5-8 tells us that Jesus emptied Himself and came as a man–changed from the “form of God” to the “form of a bond-servant.”
Matthew 16 demonstrates that this understanding is central to the gospel. Verse 13 has Jesus asking, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Here Jesus focuses on His humanity. Peter’s answer focuses on His Sonship in verse 16. Verse 18 contains the promise that Jesus’ church would be built on this foundational truth. Understanding Jesus’ humanity and deity is central to understanding the gospel.
Because Jesus became a human being, He had the same nature we have. Hebrews 2:9-18 tells us that He had to be made like His brethren in all things.
Jesus Never Sinned
While Jesus had the same nature that we have, He never sinned. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us that He was tempted just like we are and had our same weaknesses because He was a man, but He never sinned.
This makes Him the perfect leader that we must follow. 1 John 3:5-8 says that in Him there is no sin, but rather He appeared to take away sins. Those who know Him will not continue in sin. 1 Peter 2:21-25 tells us that He is our example in having no sin. He bore our sins in His body on the cross–which He could not do, if He had His own sins for which He must die. Jesus is the perfect substitute because He had no sin worthy of death although He was just like us. While the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin, Jesus’ blood can because He is like us and can be our substitute.
Jesus Was a Volunteer
John 10:17-18 makes it clear that Jesus laid down His life on His own initiative. He was not forced to die for us, but freely chose to do so.
Jesus Proves God’s Love
Having just anyone die for us (even if they were somehow sinless) would not have the same effect as having His own Son die for us. Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Also Romans 5:6-10 talks about the idea that God demonstrates His love toward us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.
These verses also show us that we are not only saved through the death of Christ, but also through His life as He continues to love us and provide for our salvation.
Jesus Has Authority to Save that Men Do Not Have
Matthew 9:6 demonstrates that Jesus had authority to forgive sins even as a man. Matthew 28:18 shows us that He now has all authority. The One Who died to save us has all authority! Do you think He wants anyone to be lost and His sacrifice be in vain? We can have great confidence that He does not want to have suffered in vain. He wants to save (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
However, in His authority, He will not allow sin to go unpunished. Luke 12:5 talks about the One Who has authority to cast into hell. He took the punishment for sin, but He requires some things from us before that punishment is a substitute for us. We will look at that later, but for now just recognize that some will go to hell even though He desires all to be saved.
In 1 Corinthians 1:13 Paul connects Jesus being crucified for us with His authority. Who better to have all authority than the One Who made the greatest sacrifice? 1 John 2:1-2 tells us that Jesus is our Advocate when it comes to sin as He Himself is the propitiation. Hebrews 9:11-16 explains that Jesus uses His own blood in the holy place. He is also the mediator of the new covenant and so needed to be the One to die to establish that covenant.
Jesus is not just a prophet like Muhammad and others claim. Jesus is unique. Jesus is necessary for salvation. Jesus is the gospel.
Acts 4:12 - And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”