Christ Today: The Story of Jesus Christ
The story of Jesus Christ spans the breadth of human history, from the dawn of creation to the promise of His triumphant return.
Rooted in the prophecies of the Old Testament, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection fulfilled God’s ancient promises, offering redemption and salvation to all who believe.
Prophecies and Birth:
The story of Jesus begins long before His birth in Bethlehem. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets foretold the coming of a Savior who would bring deliverance and restoration to God’s people.
Isaiah’s prophecy predicted the virgin birth, while Micah prophesized the birthplace in Bethlehem, setting the stage for the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah.
In fulfillment of these prophecies, Jesus was born in humble circumstances and laid in a manger in Bethlehem. His birth heralded the dawn of a new era, signaling the arrival of God’s promised redemption for humanity.
Mission and Ministry:
Jesus had a divine mission that directed every action He took throughout His life. From a young age, He displayed incomparable wisdom and understanding, leaving religious leaders in awe of His teachings.
His insights were so profound that they challenged conventional beliefs and inspired people to question their faith. His life was a testament to His unwavering commitment to spreading the message of love, compassion, and forgiveness.
At the age of thirty, Jesus embarked on His public ministry, proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God and calling people to repentance and faith.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus performed miracles, healing the sick, raising the dead, and demonstrating His authority over nature. He preached a message of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, challenging the religious establishment and inviting all to follow Him.
Death and Resurrection:
Jesus’ message of hope and salvation was one of love, forgiveness, and redemption. He preached to the masses, healed the sick, and performed miracles that astounded those around Him.
However, one of Jesus’ disciples, Judas Iscariot, betrayed his message of hope by leading the religious authorities to Him.
Jesus was arrested and subjected to a series of trials before ultimately being condemned to death by crucifixion.
The Roman Empire utilized this form of punishment to deter individuals from disobeying. It was a public exhibition reserved for the most heinous offenders.
Despite the cruelty of His death, Jesus’ message of hope and salvation continued to resonate with people long after His crucifixion and resurrection.
He endured unimaginable suffering, bearing the weight of humanity’s sin upon His shoulders.
On a hill called Golgotha, Jesus was crucified, His hands and feet pierced for our transgressions.
In His last moments, Jesus said, “It is finished,” signifying the end of His atoning work (John 19:30). However, that was not the end of the story.
Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, victorious over sin and death. His resurrection validated His claims to be the Son of God and secured the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Him. In His resurrection, Jesus conquered the power of death, offering the promise of new life to all who call upon His name.
Return and Reign:
Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus promised to return in glory, ushering in the consummation of God’s Kingdom. The apostles echoed this promise throughout the New Testament, eagerly anticipating His second coming.
When Jesus returns, He will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords, establishing His eternal rule over all creation.
The Nature of Christ:
Central to the story of Jesus Christ is His unique nature as both fully human and fully divine. In the Gospel of John, we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Here, Jesus is identified as the Word, existing eternally with God the Father.
Jesus demonstrated His humanity throughout His earthly ministry, experiencing hunger, fatigue, and sorrow. Yet, He also displayed His divinity through His miraculous works and profound teachings.
In Him, the infinite and the finite were united in perfect harmony, making Him the most unique person ever to walk the earth.
Lord and Savior:
Jesus, as the Son of God, is the second person of the Trinity, after God the Father. Though He shares the divine nature of the Father, He retains His identity as the Son. Therefore, He is appropriately referred to as the Lord, indicating His power and dominion over everything in existence.
The title of Lord acknowledges Jesus’ supreme authority and rulership over every aspect of existence. It recognizes His divine nature and His role as the Savior of humanity.
Through His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, Jesus has earned the right to be called Lord. He offers salvation and eternal life to all who acknowledge Him as such.
The story of Jesus Christ is the story of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. From His humble birth in Bethlehem to His triumphant return, Jesus embodies the timeless reality of God’s love and grace.
As fully human and divine, He offers salvation and hope to all who call upon His name, inviting us into a relationship of love and fellowship with the Father. Indeed, Christ today remains the same yesterday, today, and forever, offering eternal hope in a world desperate for redemption.
Believe in Christ Today