Jesus' Life Story was Predicted and Described Centuries Before His Birth.
"But you Bethlehem... though you are small among the clans of Judah out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Mica 5: 5:2). "The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) "Rejoice greatly. . . See your king comes to you righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. . . He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a Iamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. . . . He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death.. though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth." (Isaiah 53: 4-5. 7. 9)
Jesus Lived in History
No other person has influenced the history of the world as much as Jesus. He was born in Palestine when Palestine was part of the Roman Empire. "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. . . . And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth... to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn, . . . He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived." (Luke 2: I. 3- 7. 21) Jesus grew as a young man, (Luke 2:52) the son of a carpenter (Mark 6: 1-3). Later He became very popular as a teacher and leader (Matthew 4:23-25). But politicians and religious leaders were jealous of Jesus and plotted His death (Matthew 26:3-5). They persuaded Pilate, a Roman governor to sentence Jesus to die. (Matthew 27: 11-26)
Jesus Had Unprecedented Extraordinary Power
"If God does not exist. . . man is in consequence forlorn, for he cannot find anything to depend upon, within or outside himself ." Jean Paul Sartre
He had power over the forces of nature. "As they sailed, he (Jesus) fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying. "Master, we're going to drown!.. He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters: the storm subsided, and all was calm. "where is your, faith?" he asked His disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another. "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." (Luke 8:23-25)
He had power over the supernatural. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out. "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!.. The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other. "What is this? A new teaching - and with authority: He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey." (Mark 1:22-27)
He had power over disease. "Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her, so he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases." (Mark 1: 30-34)
He had power over death. "Jesus' friend Lazarus had died, but Jesus called him out of the grave. Jesus called in a loud voice. "Lazarus, come out:" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." (John 11: 43-44)
Everyone on earth must die someday. Jesus did. But three days later he returned to life. As Paul wrote: " ...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) The fact that Jesus died and rose again from the dead is the strongest evidence that Jesus was God's special messenger. "On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away far from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them- "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" (Luke 24: 1-6)
Jesus Was More Than an Ordinary Man. "In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1: 1-3, 14) "He is the image of the invisible God. The first born over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in Heaven and earth, visible and invisible... He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:15-17) "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men: the man Christ Jesus." (1 Tim 2:5). He who has the Son has life: he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (I John 5:12)
"I was going to waste until Jesus recycled me" Rachelle Cross
Here's what Jesus said about Himself:
He is the Messiah. "The high priest asked him. "Are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am" said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:61-62).
He is the way to God. "Jesus answered. "I am the way and truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." (John 14:6)
He is God. "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Farther'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me." (John 14:9-11)
He is the light in our darkness. "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8: 12)
He satisfies. Jesus declared. "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35). "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." (John 10: 10)
He forgives sins. "Some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son: your sins are forgiven." At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!" Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said. "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say your sins are forgiven, ' or to say, get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins. Then he (Jesus) said to the paralytic. "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe: and they praised God, who had given such authority to men." (Matthew 9:2-8)
Jesus Changed the Lives of Others
Today there are many opinions about who Jesus Christ is! Just listen to these people who met Jesus face to face:
Ordinary people. "When Jesus had finished saying these things. The crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, not as their teachers of the law." (Matthew 7:28-29) "They (people from town of Sychar) said to the woman, we no longer believe just because what you said: now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." (John 4-42)
Peter, one of Jesus' apostles: "When Jesus came to the region Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples. Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, some say John the Baptist: others say Elijah: and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered. "You are the Christ. The Son of the living God." (Matthew 16: 13-16)
The Roman judge who heard the accusations against Jesus. "Then Pilate announced to the chief priest and the crowd. I find no basis for the charge against this man." (Luke 23:4)
The centurion. Jesus' executioner "... When the centurion, saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed. "Surely he was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54)
Jesus Christ Can Change Your Life Too Throughout history; people have tried to get rid of Jesus. Some try to ignore him. Others don't want to admit the truth about Him. But the most important question is not what others believe about Jesus, but what you believe about Him. For more information on how Jesus can change your life, read the article "How can I know God personally!"
"When Christ came into my life, I came about like a well-handed ship" Robert Lewis Stevenson
© 1984, 2001 R.J. Krejcir www.intothyword.com
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