About Jesus Christ

About Jesus Christ: Historical Context
Much has been said and written about Jesus Christ over the past two thousand years. The historical accounts of his life depict an extraordinary figure. The historical records portray someone who stands out as one of the most remarkable figures in human history. They suggest that Jesus taught revolutionary principles such as loving others like ourselves, turning the other cheek to the person who strikes us and giving our lives on behalf of others. They indicate that his deeds were no less remarkable. The historical documents of his time tell of him healing the diseased, restoring sight to the blind, walking on water and even raising people from the dead. History records much about Jesus Christ.

If you want to know about Jesus, it’s essential that you understand the claims he made about himself. He didn’t claim to be a wise man, an insightful prophet or a good teacher. In this regard, many people have misunderstood him. He’s been called all of those things throughout history. Yet, these definitions don’t match his own declarations of his identity. Indeed, he said such things as, “I and the father are one.” (John 10:30) Here, Jesus claimed to be one with God. It was claims like this that generated outrage among the religious leaders in his culture and ultimately lead to his execution.

Jesus made other remarkable claims such as the reason for which he was born. "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) So, to know about Jesus is to understand that he claimed to be God’s one and only son (and one with God). He claimed to be sent by God his Father into our world to give us life that last for eternity (that which exists beyond time on the other side of death).

Learning about Jesus also includes a mention of his unusual death as well as the unusual events that were reported shortly thereafter. Jesus was executed by means of one of the cruelest forms of capital punishment – crucifixion. Historical documents report that he was nailed to a wooden cross by Roman soldiers until he died. They go on to say that he was buried in nearby tomb on a Friday evening. Then, three days following his death, these documents declare that his tomb was found to be empty. What’s more, they record that reports began to spread that he was seen alive and well. They suggest that Jesus Christ was resurrected (raised) from the dead. Then, they state that over the course of 40 days, he was seen and interacted with by hundreds of his followers.

A discovery about Jesus further explores the meaning of his name. His given name was Jesus. The word Christ comes from the Greek Khristós which means the “anointed.” Its origins go still further back to the Hebrew word Mašíah or Messiah. Historical documents indicate that for thousands of years before Jesus’ birth, many prophets (people who claim to hear from God and speak of things to come) had predicted that the “Messiah” would come to save God’s people. Jesus’ biographers state that on several occasions, he declared that he was God’s Messiah or the Christ. This includes a conversation he reportedly had with a woman from Samaria. The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." (John 4:25-26) So, Jesus’ biographers suggest that he was the one Messiah or the Christ - hence the name Jesus Christ.

About Jesus Christ: Personal Application
So, what does all this historical information about Jesus Christ have to do with life today? It seems like a distant and far removed issue from our lives today. Yet, if Jesus’ biographers were right and Jesus was who he claimed to be, it’s a subject that transcends time. If these claims are accurate, it has implications that are equally meaningful today.

If Jesus’ biographers were correct and his claims were accurate, it means that God came into our world and lived a lifetime in our shoes. It means that God is sympathetic to our plight and challenges – he can relate personally to our difficulties. It means that God loves us enough to give his life for ours. Indeed, if Jesus is who he claimed to be it means that God offers us eternal salvation to “Whoever believes in him.” (John 3:16).

So, it seems that much stands in the balance with this issue. If our historical records are accurate and Jesus’ claims were legitimate, we stand to gain a great deal. This is the reason we’ve developed this site at JesusCentral.com. We provide information to help people like you find an answer that is meaningful to you. Besides the assortment of historical resources, we also bring together people who provide their unique perspectives and testimonies regarding the person of Jesus Christ.

About Jesus Christ: Key References to Explore

1. Matthew chapters 5-7 – Jesus’ teachings on morality and treatment of others
2. Mark 12:28-34 – Jesus talks about what’s most important
3. John 1:1-18 – One of Jesus’ biographers speaks of Jesus’ divine (supernatural) nature
4. John 3:16-18 – Jesus describes his mission and purpose

About Jesus Christ: Launching Points

1. Is Jesus the Christ
2. Whose Son Is the Christ?
3. John Describes Jesus As Son of God or Messiah

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