About Jesus

 About Jesus

The Apostle Paul writes,

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”Romans 10:9-13.

Paul makes it clear here if you “confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raise him from the dead you will be saved.

Paul writing to the Ephesians states,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.

It is by the grace of God we get to heaven. We cannot be good enough to stand before a holy God.

C. S. Lewis states,

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.

Christians believe God reached down in the form of His one and Only Son Jesus to offer us forgiveness of sin and eternal life with God. 

We Christians believe Jesus God incarnate. God in the flesh. That he provided purification for our sins. The writer of Hebrews states,

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3  

Through Jesus God offers us a choice. Jesus speaking of himself stating,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.

Thus the choice in yours, who do you think Jesus is?

Please think about it. 

About Jesus

About Jesus

John’s gospel records this conversation between Jesus and Martha,

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.

Jesus is one of, if not the, most controversial people in history. With Jesus there is no middle ground. You either accept His claim of being The Son of God, God incarnate, The Saviour of mankind or you do not.

The New Testament writers recorded many statements by Jesus and others regarding who he is. Listed below are just a few.

Upon his birth when he was to be dedicated at the temple Simeon said,

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation,  which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32

Matthew’s gospel records this conversation between the apostle Peter and Jesus,

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  Matthew 16:13-17.

Jesus speaking to his disciples said,

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

Even when faced with being stoned Jesus did not back down on saying who he was. John’s gospel records,

“Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.  

The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s

name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  

I and the Father are one.” 

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 

“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10 22-33.

The writer of Hebrews tells us what believers in Christ at the time believed about Jesus stating, 

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.

These quotes from the New Testament at the very least tell what Jesus and the early believers, believed about Jesus. That he was God incarnate, the one who provided purification for sins. That he is indeed the Christ, the suffering Messiah.

C. S. Lewis notes,

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

Ultimately however anyone when presented with the story of Jesus must make up their own mind as to who he is.

Thus the question becomes,

What do you think about Jesus?

Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus
 “When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ),  and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:22-32
Jesus is the most influential person in all of history. 
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was he replied, “the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.” 
Napoleon Bonaparte, said of Jesus,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.
I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. 
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.
I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.” Napoleon Bonaparte.
What these men say of Jesus is true.
Simeon the prophet said it best on the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to him, he said,
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 
Jesus is all he said he is. He is the one and only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind.
Jesus is God reaching down to mankind and saying I love you. Come unto me and I will give you rest.
The Apostle John states,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.... 
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  John 1:1-4,10-13.
The choice is yours what do you think of Jesus?
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus
John’s gospel records this conversation between Jesus and Martha,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
Jesus is one of, if not the, most controversial people in history. With Jesus there is no middle ground. You either accept His claim of being The Son of God, God incarnate, The Saviour of mankind or you do not.
The New Testament writers recorded many statements by Jesus and others regarding who he is. Listed below are just a few.
Upon his birth when he was to be dedicated at the temple Simeon said,
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation,  which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32
Matthew’s gospel records this conversation between the apostle Peter and Jesus,
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  Matthew 16:13-17.
Jesus speaking to his disciples said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
Even when faced with being stoned Jesus did not back down on saying who he was. John’s gospel records,
“Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.  
The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s
name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” 
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 
“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10 22-33.
The writer of Hebrews tells us what believers in Christ at the time believed about Jesus stating,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
These quotes from the New Testament at the very least tell what Jesus and the early believers, believed about Jesus. That he was God incarnate, the one who provided purification for sins. That he is indeed the Christ, the suffering Messiah.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Ultimately however anyone when presented with the story of Jesus must make up their own mind as to who he is.
Thus the question becomes,
What do you think about Jesus?
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus
The Apostle John who witnessed first hand the ministry of Jesus tells his readers here why he is writing. He sates,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  
We write this to make our joy complete.” 1 John 1:1-4
This echos back the opening words of John’s Gospel that states,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-4,14.
John referrers to Jesus as the Word. He notes that “the Word” became flesh. God entered the world he created in the form of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh. He was their at the dawn of creation. He created all things.
John goes on to say,
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
Jesus is life. He offers to all who would believe in Him Eternal life.
John making things perfectly clear saying,
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John in his gospel stating,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
What John states here are cornerstones of Christian belief.
1. Jesus is God incarnate, Creator of the Universe.
2. Jesus is the Saviour of mankind offering Eternal Life to all who would believe in Him.
3. By accepting Jesus Christ into our lives we become children of God. We have a personal relationship with God.
Like all things with Jesus however it is something you either believe or you do not. There is not middle ground.
So what do you believe.
Please think about it.   

About Jesus

About Jesus
Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
In my previous blog I noted that in order to be a true believer in Christ Jesus you must believe that Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh. You must believe that Jesus paid the price for our sins.
If Jesus is not all he claimed to be then Christianity is meaningless. C. S. Lewis writing about Jesus said,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Thus the Choice is yours. Do you believe Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh, The Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus
Luke’s Gospel records the parents of Jesus, Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord as required by the law.
There Simeon a man who had been told by God he would not see death until he has seen the Messiah’s coming, sees the infant Jesus and realizes Jesus is the Messiah. Luke records Simeon as saying,
“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 30-32
Luke then notes,
“Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:34,35.
At the time Mary and Joseph I am sure could not imagine what lay ahead for Jesus. Simeon predicted several things here.
He said Jesus would be a revelation to the Gentiles. Gentiles, non-Jews would have a part in God’s salvation in the blessing of God. Simeon noted that Jesus would glorify Israel.
Then he continues on to say,
“this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
Jesus in his day, and even today is a controversial person. In his lifetime the religious leaders spoke against him. The very people that should have known he was the Messiah rejected him.
They would not even acknowledge at times the miraculous things he did were of God. They seen him as a political threat rather than the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind.
I believe how one views Jesus will determine where they will spend eternity. Anyone who hears about Jesus must decide for themselves who he truly is.
The writers of the New Testament quote Jesus as saying several very important things about himself.
1/“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18. 
2/ “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”John 14:6.
3/ “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30.
All very controversial statements in their day and I would argue equally controversial in our day.
Still Christians believe those statements and what the apostle Paul wrote about Jesus. Writing to believers in Christ he states,
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11.
Note here that Paul while telling believers in Christ to be humble and obedient to God he makes a very definite statement about Jesus.
Paul states,
“God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
This is what Christians believe. We believe that Jesus while offering salvation and eternal life to the world. To all who would believe in Him. Will also one day Judge the world.
All who hear about Jesus must make their decision as to who Jesus is in this life. That decision will I believe determine our eternal resting place.
Please think about it

About Jesus

About Jesus
The Apostle John who witnessed first hand the ministry of Jesus tells his readers here why he is writing. He sates,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  
We write this to make our joy complete.” 1 John 1:1-4
John notes these things about Jesus. He state,
“That which was from the beginning we have heard and touched...”
This echos back the opening words of John’s Gospel that states,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-4,14.
John referrers to Jesus as the Word. He notes that “the Word” became flesh. God entered the world he created in the form of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh. He was their at the dawn of creation. He created all things.
John goes on to say,
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
Jesus is life. He offers to all who would believe in Him Eternal life. 
John making things perfectly clear saying, 
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John in his gospel stating,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
What John states here are cornerstones of Christian belief.
1. Jesus is God incarnate, Creator of the Universe.
2. Jesus is the Saviour of mankind offering Eternal Life to all who would believe in Him.
3. By accepting Jesus Christ into our lives we become children of God. We have a personal relationship with God.
Like all things with Jesus however it is something you either believe or you do not. There is not middle ground.
So what do you believe.
Please think about it. 

About Jesus

About Jesus
In a Short time it will be Easter a time Christians world wide celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Many things have been said about Jesus. However what does the Bible say about Him.
Luke’s gospel records,
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,   and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:26-35.
Here the gospel writer asks us to believe that God sent an angel to tell Mary that she would conceive a child through by the Holy Spirit and giving birth to the “the Son of the Most High”.
This is purely a faith thing. You either believe it or you don’t. Certainly Luke the writer believed it to be true. As did all the writers of the New Testament.
Now when it come to the birth of His Son. I don’t think God did not just pick a woman at random. Tradition says Mary was of humble birth. Certainly she was not of a ruling royal household.
     However she was most likely devout. Her cousin Elizabeth was married to Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Later we also learn that when Jesus was born he was taken to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord.
We are told in Luke 2:41,
“Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.”
The parents of Jesus were devout believers in God. Who practiced their faith. A faith being the Son of God Jesus probably recognized early in his life. A faith Mary and Joseph helped him cultivate. Giving him and understanding human understanding of his faith.
“Luke also records,
“Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.  
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.  
After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.  
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.  
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.  
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.”  Luke 2:41-47.
From this we can assume that Jesus had a very good understanding of the scriptures. That he was it seems a genius.
Jesus also had a sense of who he truly was Luke’s gospel recording,
“When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”  Luke 2:48,49.
He knew even as a teenager that he was at the very least called to do God the Fathers work. That his life was to have a higher purpose.
That purpose Christians believe was to be the suffering Messiah. The Christ who would die for the sins of the world. The apostle Paul telling us,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8 
The question the New Testament places before everyone who reads it is simple. Who do you believe Jesus is?
A good man?
A good teacher?
Son of God, Saviour of mankind. God incarnate?
Please think about it. 

About Jesus

About Jesus
The apostle Paul writes,
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  1 Corinthians 2:14.
Over the years I’ve met many people who do not understand who Jesus is. Men and women who are of other faiths or are simply atheist. They cannot believe what the writer of Hebrews states,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3.
They find it hard to believe that Jesus is God incarnate The Saviour of mankind.
The apostle Paul explains it this way,
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  1 Corinthians 2:14.
I respect the beliefs of these people who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, Saviour of mankind, God incarnate, and I welcome open and honest discussion with non-Christians. It is good to share ones beliefs and views. That is why I write these blogs.
My prayer for anyone with whom I talk about Jesus is that God will open their eyes. That he will reveal himself to them through His Spirit.
Not only that but I pray that the person themself will sincerely pray and ask God to show them truth about Jesus.
I pray they will read at the very least the New testament. That they will read what the writers and followers of Jesus believed him to be.
In order to truly find who Jesus is, the person first and foremost needs to be truly looking for the answer. Otherwise they will not find anything.
Things of God are spiritually discerned thus the individual even if they are not Christians need to ask God for spiritual discernment.  For spiritual insight into what the scriptures are saying.
The apostle Paul speaking in the Areopagus in Athens a place where ideas were discussed openly said,
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”Acts 17:24-31.
The writer of Acts notes that after Paul said this,
“When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”Acts 17:32-34
My question to you the reader. Which group are you with, the ones who sneered, those who wished to know more or are you willing to become a follower of Jesus?
If you are sincerely interested in finding the truth about Jesus. I would ask you to pray asking God to show you the truth. Then read the New Testament and see for yourself what those who knew Jesus personally believed him to be.
Please think about it. 

About Jesus

About Jesus

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” 

Colossians 2:9.

There is a uniqueness in Christian belief that is in no other faith anywhere in the world. We Christians believe that Jesus is God. That God through His One and Only Son, Jesus entered the world to point each and every person to Heaven. That God became a man.
The writers of the New Testament do not debate this point. The apostle John recording Jesus as saying,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

John 14:6.

That is a pretty definitive statement.
The Writer of Hebrews states,

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times 

and in various ways, 

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, 

whom he appointed heir of all things, 

and through whom he made the universe.  

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory 

and the exact representation of his being, 

sustaining all things by his powerful word. 

After he had provided purification for sins, 

he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” 

Hebrews 1:1-3.

The writer make a pretty clear statement that Jesus made the universe.
1/That Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory.
2/The exact representation of his being.
3/That he sustains all things through his powerful word.
4/That He provided purification for sins.
I know it sounds farfetched even the apostle Paul noted,

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; 

the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? 

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, 

God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached 

to save those who believe.  

Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  

but we preach Christ crucified: 

a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  

but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, 

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, 

and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Unfortunately man tries to make God conform to his way of thinking. He says God should do things their way.
Even when Jesus was on the cross there were those who scoffed at him and would not believe who he was unless he came down from the cross.
At the crucifixion of Jesus we have essentially the choices all people must who hear the story of Jesus must make. We have in microcosm how people react to Jesus,
Luke’s gospel records,
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.  
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:32-43.
As we look at crucifixion we see several things happening.
1/ Jesus praying to God and asking God to forgive those who are crucifying.
2/ People doubters in the crowd sneered at Jesus wanting to see Him save himself. 
3/ The soldiers mocked Him and like some in the crowd demand Jesus save himself.
4/ One of the Criminals being crucified with him hurled insults at Him and said “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
5/ The other criminal did what we all must do to enter heaven. He believed Jesus was all He said He was by faith. He then confessed that he was guilty of his sins. Then asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom.
6/ Jesus told that criminal that he would be with Him in paradise that day.
This is how it is in the world today. Some people do not believe Jesus is who he says he is. Some demand signs from Him. Others mock Jesus and those who believe in Him.
Then there are those who believe Jesus is all He said He is. The Son of God, the Saviour of mankind.
You dear reader have a choice today. You can act like the crowd the soldiers and the one criminal and doubt Jesus. You can ask for signs showing who Jesus truly is.
The other option is you can believe Jesus is The Son of God the Saviour of mankind. You confess your sins to Him and accept Jesus into your life by faith.
This is a choice each individual hearing about Jesus must make.
C. S. Lewis said
“He (Jesus) died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
He also said,
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
The choice is yours.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Please think about it. 

About Jesus

About Jesus

Flavius Josephus,(37AD-100AD) a Jewish historian, who became a Pharisee at 19, later commander, of the Jewish forces in Galilee. Who was captured by Romans and attached to their headquarters. Wrote this about Jesus,
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. 
He drew over to him both many Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first, did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”
                                                                                                             Flavius Josephus
Josephus who was as far as we know not a Christian called Jesus, “a doer of wonderful works” “a teacher”. Someone who drew both Jew and Gentile to him.
Josephus also calls him the Christ who was condemned to the cross, but appeared to those who loved him three days after the crucifixion as foretold by the prophets.
He also attributes ten thousand other wonderful things to him.
Josephus obviously believed Jesus was who he said he was. The Messiah, the Christ.
Three centuries later Julian the Apostate, Roman Emperor from 361-363 A.D. considered by some historians one of “the most gifted ancient adversaries of Christianity.” In his work against Christianity states:
“Jesus…has now been celebrated about three hundred years having done nothing in his lifetime worthy of fame, unless anyone thinks it is a very great work to heal lame and blind people and exorcise demoniacs in the villages of Bethsaida and Bethany.”
Julian at the end of his life said,
  “Thou has conquered, O Galilean!”
Over the centuries many have said everything from Jesus is a myth to Jesus being simply a man. Many have predicted the end of Christianity. Yet it still continues to grow daily around the world.
The book of Acts records this incident in which two of the apostles after being told by the religious leadership of the Jews in Jerusalem to not to speak of Jesus, were caught doing so and brought to trial,
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!  
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  
God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.  
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  
Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.   Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 
                    Acts 5:28-39
Gamaliel I believe was right. Christ is the Son of God. The Message Jesus, the apostles,
and true Christians to day are preaching is directly from God.
The proof is in the fact that despite being the most persecuted faith in the world today it continues to grow.
The message of Christ is one of reconciliation of man to God. Christ message in a nutshell is expressed by Jesus himself.
Jesus speaking of Himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                          John 3:16-18.
Every man and woman on this earth that knows about Jesus must make a decision as to who he is.
Jesus himself posed the question to a woman called Martha. The apostle John records,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” 
John 11:25,26.
What do you believe?
Please think about it.