THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is alive and is the hope of the world. Jesus Christ is more than a good man. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, and, most importantly, the Saviour. Christians should lift Him up, glorify Him, worship Him, obey Him, and follow Him. The Christian life should be dedicated to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Name of Jesus Christ
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” — Philippians 2:9-11
The name of Jesus is above all other names including the names of the angels, the messengers of God. Jesus Christ is greater than Gabriel and Michael, the two highest angels of God. Even these great angels bow to Jesus and call Him holy. A name that is above, greater than, higher than all of the great men of the past. George Washington was the first president of the United States. He truly was a great man. In the days of the Bible there were great men such as Moses, John the Baptist, Paul, and the disciples. However, the greatest man ever to be born was Jesus Christ. One day, all men, including great men of the past, will bow their knees to Him and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
His Name Shall Be Called Jesus – “And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt.1:21). The name “Jesus” means “Saviour.” The angel told Joseph to name the baby, Jesus. The verse explains that His name is Jesus because He shall save His people from sin. Jesus is His human name, meaning that He is the Saviour. Christ is His heavenly name, which means the Anointed One of God. The name Christ is used more than three hundred times in the New Testament. Jesus is His (Human) name; Christ is His (Holy) title. He was always eternally Christ, but He became Jesus at birth.
The Birth of Jesus Christ – After Adam and Eve were cast from the Garden of Eden, God gave a promise that He would send another Adam (Jesus) who would not sin (Rom.5:12-19). Because of this promise, the people began looking for a Saviour. The prophets preached about Him. Isaiah: He would be born of a virgin (Isa.7:14). Micah: He would come from the tribe of Judah (Mic. 5:2). Daniel: told the time of His birth (Dan.9:25,26). Finally, the time arrived. Jesus was born. The most exciting birth ever was the birth of Jesus Christ. His birth separated time and history. BC means Before Christ, and AD means Anna Domini (Greek) means “in the year of our Lord.” The greatest birthday in history was the birth of Jesus.
His Birth Was Different – Jesus Christ is the only One ever to be born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-23). His mother Mary did not intimately know a man as her husband. Joseph was the husband of Mary, but not the father of Jesus. God is the Father of Jesus Christ. “She was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” –Matthew 1:18. “For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” –Matthew 1:20. Jesus Christ is the only One ever to be born of a virgin. He did not have the sin of Adam in Him as do all other people. His birth was different. He is the Son of God. An angel announced that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10,11 ).
The Life of the Lord Jesus Christ – The Bible does not record very much about Jesus’ earlier years; it does tell us of His great wisdom at the age of twelve as He spoke in the temple to the learned men of His day (Luke 2:46-50). When Jesus was thirty years old, the time arrived for Him to begin His ministry (Luke 3:23). Jesus is the perfect example for a Christian to follow. He completely did the will of His Father (God). His first recorded words at the age of twelve were, “I must be about my father’s business” (Luke 2:49). Jesus came to do the will of God (John 4:34). His desire was “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). His last words were “It is finished” (John 19:30).
No One Is Greater – Jesus is greater than any person ever born. You could point to Solomon in his wisdom, but Jesus is greater. You could think of the love of a mother or a father for their children, but Jesus loves you even more. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends… ” (John 15:13,14). Adam was the father of the human family. Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation. George Washington was the father of America. When you think of Jesus you must say, “Behold a greater…is here” (Luke 11:31). After a miracle the people said, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41 ). Jesus Christ was perfect in character, teachings, life, and love.
The Death of Jesus Christ – Jesus was on the cross about six hours from about 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (according to our time today). After the first three hours, about noon, there was a strange darkness for a covering over the body of Jesus. Then, God Himself turned His face from Jesus. Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Notice, Jesus did not call Him Father, but God. Jesus was crying out as a sinner, not a son. God turned His face because He could not look upon sin. Jesus was carrying the sin of the world upon Him. “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). On the cross He was the sacrifice for sin.
The Burial of Jesus Christ – (John 19:38-41) Finally, Jesus bowed His head and said, “It is finished.” Jesus died for sin. It is finished! . Jesus was dead. The disciples and followers were very sad. There was no hope for the future. One by one, the followers began to return home. What would they do? Jesus was dead, and there was no hope! Jesus was taken from the cross by a man named Joseph. He was buried in a tomb (grave). Soldiers put a large stone over the tomb and stood guard. Jesus had died and now He was buried.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ – (Matthew 28:1-6) – Early on the third morning, before sun-up, a group of followers went to the tomb. When they arrived, they were surprised. The stone was rolled away. Suddenly an angel appeared and announced that Jesus is alive. He was not dead! What great news! Jesus is alive! The followers ran to tell the news to others. What an exciting time! There is hope. Jesus was alive. Later Jesus appeared to His followers and gave them words of comfort, hope and peace. They were no longer sad. Jesus had changed their sorrow into shouting; their gloom into glory. Then one day while Jesus was talking to His followers on the Mount of Olives, suddenly He arose into Heaven. They watched Jesus ascend until He disappeared from sight into the clouds. Then two angels appeared and told the followers that one day Jesus would come again. (Acts 1:8-11) The disciples were commissioned to go tell the world that Jesus died for their sins and that He would come again. Jesus is alive! He is risen! (…continue next page)
