In our modern world if one were to hear the name Jesus, they would immediately think of Jesus Christ, as this was the most popular man named Jesus of all time. Others though, who are oblivious to Judaism or the Christian faith, might ask, “Jesus who?” There are many people in this world who profess to “know Christ,” yet live a life that is completely opposite of what Jesus commanded, worship Him in a way He did not authorize, and do things in His name they have no authority for (Matthew 7:21-23; Acts 19:13-17). It is the intent of this article to inform its readers of who Jesus was, and why we follow Him.
The Bible tells us that when Jesus was about 30 years of age, He went and began preaching His message to the world after He was baptized by John (Luke 3:21-23). As He went about He preached to the people to, “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). When it came time for Jesus to choose His close followers and eventual apostles, He simply told them to “Follow Me” (Mark 1:17). These men obeyed immediately and more would obey later on. What made these men leave their homes and businesses and follow this man who they really did not know?
These four men had the names of Peter, Andrew, James, and John. All of them were Jews, meaning they were waiting for a Messiah to come into the world. This Messiah was going to be the one who would fulfill the promise that God made to Abraham long centuries ago: “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). Jesus, through His teaching and through many of His own confessions, would prove to them that yes, He was this Messiah that they and the world were waiting for.
Through many confessions Jesus would show that we must follow and believe in Him in order to have life:
- “I am the living bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:51).
- “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
- “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:14).
- “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
- “I am the way the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
When many of His followers left Him after He taught them some tough things to understand, He turned to His disciples and asked them if they wanted to leave too. Peter answered for them when he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
The apostles knew that this Jesus who had come into the world was special, different from all the other prophets or teachers that had come before. For Jesus was bold in His teaching, and even claimed something that was true; however the Jews would not accept it, and eventually crucified Him for it. This claim was that He was not only the Son of God, but also that He was God. When Jesus was debating with the Jews He would conclude that “… before Abraham, was I AM” (John 8:48-58). Thomas, after His resurrection would claim, “My Lord and My God” (John 20:28). Jesus wants us to follow Him because He is God, the creator of heaven and earth, and the Almighty (Revelation 1:8). He is the one who made man in His image (Genesis 1:26-27).
While His confessions of being the Messiah and claiming that He is God were true testaments to who Jesus was, possibly the greatest proof was not what Jesus said but rather what He did. Miracles in the Old Testament were prevalent when God needed a special event to persuade men of His message. When Moses had to go before Pharaoh and all of Egypt to persuade them to let the Israelites go, he needed to show some power (Exodus 7-11). Likewise when Elijah was trying to turn people back from worshiping Baal, and return to God, it was one prophet of God versus 400 prophets of Baal. This was a time where God needed to show His power (1 Kings 18:20-40).
When Jesus came to this earth, He came with power. This would back up the bold claims that He was making. The miracles that Jesus did were ones that we could not even attempt to match today. The blind were made to see, the lame were made to walk, the deaf heard again, demons were cast out, and the dead were raised. Who would even dare to attempt such a miraculous event today? On two occasions, men would admit that no one could do these things accept God (John 3:2; 9:32-33). The blind man at the pool of Siloam admits that a miracle like this had not been done since the beginning of the world. This is a true statement, and to further add, nothing like this miracle has been done since, nor ever will be again. Jesus came with the power of God to prove that He was the Christ, and the believing in Him you may have life in His name (John 20:30-31).
So, Jesus Christ is the only one able to free us from the guilt and death of our sins, offering all spiritual blessings and eternal life to all those who obey Him. No longer can you say, “Jesus who?” But hopefully friends, you will say Jesus the Christ, and follow Him (Acts 4:12).
Scott Vanderwood
