Knowing Jesus

Jesus Christ is a central part of the Christian faith.

His wondrous birth in A.D. 0 marked a significant change in our historical calendar from B.C., before Christ, to A.D., the year of our Lord.
But who was Jesus?

Christians throughout the world believe Him to be the Son of God. He has been given many different titles which help us understand more about who He is and His importance to Christians. Immanuel is one such title, it means 'God with us'. Messiah is another title meaning 'anointed by God'. The suffering Servant, another name, proclaimed by a prophet centuries before his birth, showing the kind of life that Jesus was to live on Earth.

Jesus was God’s final rescue plan for mankind: God in human form sent to earth, born in very humble circumstances, experiencing very human emotions and life experiences. His mission: to live out God's love for all people, and to enrol a group of followers to spread this Good News to the world.

From a very early age Jesus knew his vocation. Together with a small group of followers he travelled around bringing peace, healing and forgiveness into the lives of many. To some religious leaders he seemed revolutionary as he often spent time with the poor, the weak and the socially unacceptable. He preached new commandments to love and care for others and shared with the people insights of his heavenly Father.

Jesus’ love for others led Him to his death. He was crucified in the place of a criminal, although he did no wrong. Jesus died in our place: He took upon himself all the bad things of human nature and mended the broken relationship between humankind and God. However, he did not stay dead! His resurrection brings life to us all and hope of an eternal future.

The words of the following hymn sum it up so well:

“You laid aside your majesty, gave up everything for me, suffered at the hands of those you had created. You took all my guilt and shame when You died and rose again. Now today you reign in heaven and earth exalted.”

Jesus died for us all; He is God with us, bringing healing, acceptance and love to our broken world.