Over 2000 years ago, Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea to a virgin named Mary. He was fully human, but fully divine. He was raised in Nazareth as the son of a carpenter, named Joseph. When the time was right, Jesus began His earthly ministry, sharing with those around Him the true nature of God, His Heavenly Father. Though Jesus experienced the same emotions and temptations of mankind, he was able to live a perfect life – a life free of sin, because He is God made flesh. He is the Messiah that is prophesied of in Isaiah.
Why did he come?
An important message needed to be spread to mankind. For centuries, the Israelites had been waiting for the arrival of a Saviour who would rescue them from captivity and establish what they believed would be an earthly kingdom. They believed that if they worked hard enough, lived a holy enough life, that they would be free. Jesus came to earth to show us that He is “the way the truth and the life.”
“No one comes to the Father (God) but through me (Jesus).” (John 14:6).
Jesus came to earth so that we could fully understand God’s glory, His holiness, and His love for us. He came to earth as a light in the darkness. He came as a way to free us from our sinful ways. Jesus came to bear the sins of mankind – past, present and future. He came to show us that we cannot free ourselves from sin, but by believing, we are free from it, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And that is not your own doing. It is a gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Jesus is our Lord and Master
God sent Jesus to earth to pay for our sins. Jesus was crucified and died, but most importantly, rose again to live with God forever in paradise. His resurrection affirms His deity and authority. Jesus Christ died our spiritual death so that He could offer us spiritual life – for all eternity. He paved the way for us to share the Kingdom with God. The separation between man and God that existed because of man’s sinful nature has now been bridged by the cross. We now have direct access to God, through Christ’s death and resurrection. The only step that we need to take is to believe that Jesus is our Lord and Master. We need to believe that He died for the sins of the world and that He lives and reigns with God our Father, in paradise.
Our Comforter
Jesus took the sin of the world upon Himself. He was sent from God as our way to eternal life. Following the resurrection of Christ, and His return to His Father, God did not leave us alone. He sent us a comforter, the Holy Spirit to dwell within all true believers. Through the power of God, the way that has been opened by Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can begin to live our lives glorifying God. All God asks of us is to repent of our sinful ways, ask forgiveness. He promises that not only will our sins be forgiven but that “for as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him, as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions (sin) from us.” (Psalms 103:11-12).
The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to continue to come to God with our sin. The Holy Spirit will be there as our support, Jesus as our guide, and God the Father as our goal. We can live out the rest of our lives with purpose, giving glory to God and spreading the message of this wonderful gift God has given us, eternal life in paradise.
Jesus is the Judge
Rejection of God comes at a price. All who reject Jesus as Lord and Saviour will one day face Him as their judge. “God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man who he has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising him from the dead .” (Acts 17:30-31).
The time will come when we will have to face God alone. Will you be ready?
Who is Jesus? The Bible says that He is the living God, the Holy One, the Saviour, the sovereign Lord, and the righteous judge.
Who do you say Jesus is? That is a question you need to seriously consider. Jesus Christ alone can transform you, restore you to fellowship with God, and give you eternal life with purpose.
What can you do? York Community Church is here to support you in your quest for God. God is alive and well. He is in our midst. If you seek Him, you will find Him. Let us help you come to know Jesus, and begin your life serving Him.