WHO IS JESUS?
Living 2000 years ago in rural Israel, born to a teenage mother and working as a tradie, you could be left thinking that Jesus was a pretty bland guy. But that’s not how we see it.
When Jesus was 30 years old, he started preaching that he is God’s promised King who would put everything right by setting up a kingdom of justice and love. ‘Christ’ means ‘King’.
He also claimed to be God’s son, living in the world as a human being. Jesus did God-like things. He calmed storms. He healed people. He raised the dead. He gave us a glimpse of life in his perfect kingdom, with no suffering, fear or death.
WHY DID JESUS COME?
TO BE REJECTED
Many people rejected Jesus. They thought they’d be happier living their own way. This rejection is something we’ve all done and is called ‘sin’. Sin damages lives and separates us from God, leaving us to face what Jesus called ‘hell’. Jesus defines hell like this: an existence without anything good, forever.
TO BE KILLED
People rejected Jesus so violently that they killed him by nailing him to a cross. But his death wasn’t a mistake by God – it was a masterstroke. On the cross, Jesus was cut off from God’s friendship and goodness. He chose to experience hell – so that we don’t have to. The sinless King died to take the punishment sin deserves. Jesus was opening the way into his kingdom.
TO RISE AGAIN
Three days after his execution, his tomb was found to be empty. Over the next few weeks many ate with Jesus. Dozens spoke with him. Hundreds saw him. Jesus the King could not be contained by death. He had risen!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR US?
So, today, right now, Jesus is inviting people to come into his kingdom. He tells us to repent and believe the good news. Repent means to turn around, to live with Jesus in charge instead of ourselves. Believe means to trust that Jesus has done everything we need to give us a place in his kingdom.
Living with Jesus as King isn’t easy. His followers will be rejected, just as he was. But they also live a life of deep security, satisfaction, and joy, knowing God and his forgiveness, being helped by his Spirit, and looking forward to the King’s return, when he will finally establish his loving kingdom forever. Jesus freely offers all this to anyone and everyone who repents and believes.