The Study Of Jesus Christ Series

The Study Of Jesus Christ

2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Jesus of Nazareth claimed to be the Christ of God. Once in a synagogue, He read a prophecy from Isaiah about the promised Messiah and said: "…Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21).

When a woman spoke to Him of the coming Messiah, He replied, "...I who speak to you am He" (John 4:26).

When Jesus asked his disciples, "...But who do you say that I am? Peter answered and said, The Christ of God" (Luke 9:20). This was the answer Jesus accepted; this was who Jesus declared Himself to be. He went on to say in another place: "...I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

This was quite a claim. He was born in the midst of poverty, grew up in the insignificant village of Nazareth, and spent most of his adult years as a carpenter. After He made this claim, the leaders of the people mocked Him, ridiculed Him, and laughed Him to scorn. As He continued to make His claim, they became so angry with Him that they nailed Him to a cross and crucified Him. Yet, He maintained His claim to the death.Was He a fool, was He a fake, or was He the Christ? The truth is found in an honest examination of the evidence.

(1) The nature of His birth identified Jesus as the Christ. When the angel appeared unto Mary and told her that she would have a son, she asked, "...How can this be, since I do not know a man? And the angel answered and said to her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:34-35).

Joseph, who was to be her husband, upon hearing that she was with child, wanted to put Mary away quietly; but, while he thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him and said, "...Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20). Matthew the apostle went on to explain:

"...all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us" (Matthew 1:22-23).

This was not a man that was begotten of man; this was God’s "only begotten Son" (John 3:16).

(2) The events of His life identify Jesus as the Christ, for they were the fulfillment of prophecy. He was of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Judah, of the house of David, and born of a virgin. He was born in Bethlehem, called out of Egypt, and raised in Nazareth. He would visit the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, teach in parables, and be rejected by His own people. He would be sold for thirty pieces of silver and the money would be used later to buy a potter’s field. He would be smitten on the cheek and spat upon. Some would cast lots for His garments and give Him vinegar to drink. He would be crucified with the wicked, not a bone of His body would be broken, and He would be laid in a rich man’s tomb. He would arise from the dead and ascend into heaven. This was all the fulfillment of prophecy. There are over 300 prophecies of Christ fulfilled in the life of Jesus. It is impossible to conclude that He was an imposter.

(3) His teachings identify Him as the Christ. There is no greater sermon in history than the Sermon on the Mount. The moral standards presented in it are so high, they could not have come from the lips of a liar. The wisdom expressed in it is so great, it could not have come forth from the mind of a fool. The Lord’s enemies were unsuccessful in their attempt to ensnare Him in His words. While the high and mighty turned against Him, the common people heard Him gladly. They recognized that He taught them as one having authority, and they were astonished at his doctrine.

Once, when officers were sent to arrest Him, they returned empty-handed, saying, "No man ever spoke like this Man" (John 7:46). This knowledge, wisdom, and authority could not have originated in a carpenter’s shop.Jesus attributed His words to God, saying, "...as My Father taught Me, I speak these things" (John 8:28).