Who is Jesus? A simple question, but the answer can be complicated. What answer would you give? Jesus is a great inspiration to many. His life was colorful - his message radical. His birth 2,000 years ago changed the world!
For 2.3 billion people, Jesus is the common thread throughout their lives. He inspires people as to how they live. For many, he is a symbol of freedom; freedom to be who you are. He gives courage to the masses to break away from things that are not good for them. He offers knowledge that they and you are forgiven. Jesus brings these people closer to God and closer to themselves. Christians often talk about a personal relationship with God and with Jesus. Some Christians grow up in a Christian family and are brought up with the faith, but a considerable amount of people come to faith on their own. They discover for themselves who Jesus is and decide to become a Christian. Read why here:
In addition, in the past most people were illiterate. People were used to having the books of the Bible read aloud in the synagogue and later in church, and then discussing them. So what we find in the Bible are actually a kind of summaries, very concise, that give food for thought.
A thread of his life
Birth!
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, Israel. His father Joseph is a carpenter and his mother Mary a young girl from Nazareth. Even before they are married, Mary receives a special message; an angel tells her that she will be pregnant with a son. He will be called the Son of God and his name will be Jesus. It is not Joseph, but God Himself who will cause her to conceive. The birth of Jesus is still celebrated extensively every year at Christmas.
He grows up and is always interested in spiritual matters. At twelve, Joseph and Mary even lose him for a few days and he is found to be deep in conversation with all the spiritual leaders in the temple.
Disciples!
It is not until around the age of 30 that we hear more about Jesus again. He gathers a group of friends around him. They are also called followers, disciples or apostles. Jesus talks a lot with them about justice, humility, equality and forgiveness. Together they travel through Israel. He stands out because of the special miracles he does, such as healing sick people. More and more people become interested in Jesus. Wherever he goes, large groups of people gather. Everyone wants to see him, speak to him, touch him. Sometimes he becomes overwhelmed by it and flees away into nature for silence.
High Expectations!
People have high expectations of Jesus. The Jews at that time were oppressed by the Romans. In their holy books of the Tenach it is prophesied that a Messiah will come, a savior who will deliver the people. They hope that Jesus is this savior. Jesus also says himself that he is this Messiah. When he visits the capital city of Jerusalem around the age of 33 to celebrate the Feast of Passover, the people are elated. They jubilate and cheer on this Palm Sunday. Yet everything will turn out differently than they hope.
The Cover!
The Jewish leaders of the country don't want anything to do with this Jesus. They don't believe a word of it and what's more; they see that he is gaining many followers and they are losing their grip on power. Very often they challenge him to make dangerous statements, but he always holds up a mirror to them. Then they decide to take a more rigorous approach: Jesus must die. On Maundy Thursday, Jesus celebrates the Passover with his friends. Together they sit at the last supper. Jesus talks at length about what is to come, but his friends do not understand. Later that day comes the turning point. While walking in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas, a friend of Jesus whom the Jewish leaders had bribed with money, leads soldiers to Jesus and he betrays Jesus with a kiss. Jesus is captured and tortured.
The Death!
The Jewish religious leaders insist to Pontius Pilate that Jesus is breaking Jewish laws. Because of Roman law, the Jews themselves are not allowed to kill him. They bring their case before the Romans. Pilate struggles at first, but on Good Friday he gives in. Jesus is sentenced to death and dies on a cross on Mount Golgotha. The exuberant atmosphere of Palm Sunday is nowhere to be found. He is buried and on Holy Saturday and his friends mourn, totally disillusioned.
Resurrection!
The big game changer comes on Easter morning. Mary Magdalene wants to visit the tomb, but to her horror the tomb is empty. Where is the body of Jesus? She looks around and thinks she sees the gardener. She tells him about the empty tomb, but then suddenly she recognizes the man. It is Jesus! He is alive! She runs back to her friends, but they don't believe her at first. But some of them go and see that the tomb where Jesus body lay is empty now. The friends decide to stay together in the city. They keep windows closed and doors locked for fear of the authorities. Then Jesus appears in their midst. They all see and hear him.
More than 500 people say they saw Jesus alive after his death. For forty days he walks around and talks to people about eternal life and forgiveness of sin. Above all, he speaks to them with great courage. With Ascension, Jesus returns to God. His friends are left behind with an instruction; they have to go to Jerusalem, stay together and pray. Ten days later comes Pentecost. The friends are filled with passion and fire. God's spirit stirs them up to tell the whole world that Jesus is alive. They spread throughout the world and founded churches everywhere. To this day, these churches tell the same message: Jesus lives.
1 (One) Life - Life of Christ
2 (Two)Pieces of wood - The Cross
3 (Three) nails - hung him there
4(Four Given/ Forgiven) - If you believe that he died on the cross for your sins and you accept him as your lord and saviour; your sins are FORGIVEN!!
Jesus' mission
What was the mission of Jesus? He literally gave his life to get his message out. He spoke to many people, from all walks of life. And he addressed large groups of people, but also took the time to eat in people's homes. Why? And what did he speak about? A complete summary is difficult to make. But these three things were at least important to Jesus:
The single most important mission of Jesus is to bring forgiveness. Anything that can stand between God and man, Jesus has taken away. Through him, all the things we have ever done wrong have been taken away. No more ballast. Jesus often spoke of forgiveness. "Forgive, so that you too may be forgiven." One of his last words before dying on the cross was, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
Jesus can get tremendously worked up over injustice. He gets furious when things in the temple seem to be more about money than about devotion to God. He often holds up a mirror to people with his parables-short stories full of symbolism and metaphors. More often than not they are about how we treat each other as human beings and condemn each other. Jesus argues for righteousness and self-reflection. "He who is without sin cast the first stone."
Jesus is always looking for the outsiders, the people on the edge of society. Fraudsters, prostitutes, the sick, Jesus has an eye for them. He sees more than just the outside or their actions. He doesn't address them on everything they did wrong, but shows interest. Jesus eats and socializes with them. He was often surrounded by hordes of people, but in many stories you read that Jesus suddenly stops because he sees someone he wants to know better. He forgets about everyone else and focuses on that person. Their life changes forever. Jesus puts the focus on our identity. Who are we on the inside and what role may Jesus play in our lives?