JESUS – Who is Jesus?
REFLECT
What famous person in history really inspires you? Why do they inspire you?’
There is fascinating historical evidence that Jesus actually lived in Palestine in the first century AD:
Josephus The Jewish historian confirms that Jesus was known to be a wise teacher and that he had a large following of both Jews and Greeks. He records that Jesus was executed by Pilate by crucifixion and that His resurrection from the dead was widely reported.
Tacitus The Roman historican Tacitus describes how Nero persecuted Christians, who were followers of Christ. He notes that Jesus Christ was executed by Pilate, and that many people had become Christians in both Israel and Rome.
The Roman governor Pliny the Younger reports that Christians worshipped Jesus and that they committed themselves to living according to high
moral values.
The Teachings of Jesus
Jesus revealed who He was through His teachings. He told people:
• “I am the light of the world.” John 8:12
• “Those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me have eternal life.” John 5:24
• “The Father and I are one.” John 10:30
• “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25
• “No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
• “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9
• “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Mahew 11:28
The Life of Jesus
Jesus not only revealed who He was through what He said— He also demonstrated it through the way He lived:
• Jesus had compassion on people who were suffering and helpless. Mahew 9:35-36
• His supernatural ministry of healing and casting out demons. Mahew 4:23-25
• His ability to forgive sins. Mark 2:1-12, John 8:1-11
• His willingness to forgive others when they caused Him pain. Luke 23:34
• His morally perfect and sinless life. Luke 23:39-43, John 8:46
If you could meet Jesus personally, what would you like to say to Him or ask Him?
FURTHER STUDY
BIBLE TEXTS
Mark 16.42
John 8.58
John 4.25,26
John 11.4
John 11.25-27
BOOKS TO READ
• More Than a Carpenter — Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell
• The Case for Christ — Lee Strobel
• Basic Christianity — John Stott
• The Essential Jesus: The Man, His Message, His Mission — Bryan Ball & William Johnson
NEXT STEP
Would you like to discover more about Jesus and what He is like through the Bible?