Who is Jesus and what is his message?

I. The Identity of Jesus

Jesus is presented in Scripture as the eternal Son of God who stepped into history as fully God and fully man (John 1:14). Numerous Old Testament prophecies point to His coming, describing not only His birthplace (Micah 5:2) but also His role as Messiah who would deliver and guide His people. In the Gospels, He is called “Immanuel” (God with us), “the Lamb of God,” and “the Son of Man,” emphasizing His divinity, His sacrificial mission, and His identification with humankind.

From Genesis onward, Scripture consistently anticipates the coming of a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15), showing a divine plan that finds its fullness in the person of Jesus. The genealogies (Matthew 1:1–16; Luke 3:23–38) connect Him directly to Abraham and David, affirming His rightful place in Israel’s royal and covenant lineage. This alignment between Old and New Testament writings demonstrates unified testimony regarding who He is.

II. The Life and Ministry of Jesus

In the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), Jesus’s life unfolds with historical detail, portraying Him as more than a moral teacher. His miraculous birth, attested by Matthew and Luke, fulfills the words of Isaiah: “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23, referencing Isaiah 7:14).

His ministry included teachings, miracles, and the validation of Mosaic Law while also bringing new depth to the concept of grace. He traveled throughout the regions of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea, calling people to repentance, healing the sick, casting out demons, and offering forgiveness of sins (Mark 2:5–12). The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) demonstrates His ethical teachings, while His parables reveal deep spiritual truths using everyday life imagery.

III. The Centrality of the Resurrection

The New Testament portrays the resurrection of Jesus as the linchpin of the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:14). Eyewitness accounts, such as those from the apostles and more than five hundred brethren at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6), ensure that the resurrection is not presented as myth but as history. Early creeds recorded by Paul (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) point to the earliest proclamation of Christ crucified and risen, a message attested within just a few years of the crucifixion. Outside documents, including the works of the Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Chapter 3) and the Roman historian Tacitus (Annals 15.44), corroborate the existence of Jesus and hint at the impact of His movement.

Moreover, archaeological findings—like the Pilate Stone discovered in Caesarea, confirming Pontius Pilate’s historical role—support the biblical record. Manuscript evidence, including early fragments like the John Rylands Papyrus (P52), shows that the earliest Christian communities swiftly and reliably preserved accounts of Jesus’s life and resurrection.

IV. Jesus’s Message

1. The Kingdom of God

Central to His message is the Kingdom of God, a realm where God’s authority and righteous rule are embraced. Jesus proclaimed: “The time is fulfilled…Repent and believe in the gospel!” (Mark 1:15). His parables—such as the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32)—illustrate the Kingdom’s growth from tiny beginnings to worldwide influence.

2. Salvation through Faith

Jesus extends salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). He underscores the necessity of spiritual rebirth: “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). His sacrificial death, foretold by Old Testament sacrifices, ensures that sin’s penalty is paid in full—thus reconciling humanity to God.

3. Love and Service

Central to His ethical instruction is the call to love God and to love one another (Matthew 22:37–39). This includes acts of compassion, humility, and forgiveness, exemplified in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). Jesus’s teaching and life both model selfless service and a willingness to meet people at their point of need.

4. Commission to Spread the Good News

Before His ascension, Jesus commissioned His disciples to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20). This mandate offers an expanded vision: the salvation message is for every people group throughout the earth. This mission stands on the historical reality of His resurrection and the eternal kingship He exercises at the right hand of the Father.

V. Historical and Archaeological Evidence

From the Dead Sea Scrolls that confirm the textual integrity of the Old Testament to the early papyri that preserve New Testament texts, evidence supports the historical reliability of the scriptural record. The Tel Dan Stele, the Pilate Stone, and detailed accounts by early Church Fathers (e.g., Polycarp, Ignatius) converge in affirming biblical events. Geological examples cited by those who advocate a young earth perspective reference the global flood narrative in Genesis, pointing to large-scale sedimentary layers and fossil records that can be interpreted to fit a rapid, catastrophic model.

Additionally, scientific findings used to support the concept of intelligent design, such as the complexity of DNA and the fine-tuning observed in the constants of the universe, align with the Scriptural assertion that “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). These observations bolster the claim that creation is neither accidental nor purposeless but the work of an intentional, eternal God.

VI. Conclusion

Jesus is the incarnate Word who lived a miraculous life, performed signs and wonders, and declared Himself as “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). His message encompasses the reality of God’s Kingdom, the offer of salvation by grace through faith, the imperative to love and serve others, and the calling to proclaim this good news everywhere.

His resurrection stands as the ultimate declaration of His divine nature and His authority to offer eternal life. Geological and historical records, biblical manuscripts, and testimonies across centuries converge to support the reliability of Scripture and the truth of Christ’s message. He calls all people to repentance, belief, and new life, providing the only way to be reconciled to God. Through Him, one finds not only forgiveness but also the highest purpose: living to glorify God and enjoy a relationship with Him forever.