WHY JESUS?
WHY JESUS?
Question: Why Jesus? Or, to put it another way, why not some other world religious leader? Good question! It is the one that everyone needs to look into, else we might be merely following tradition, a majority view, a Western view, an impostor, or a mere opinionated choice among other leaders.
The Central Person in the Bible is Jesus. He is pointed to by almost every writer in one way or another. Such is not questioned by anyone who has read and understands the basics of the Bible. But again why? Why Him?
FIRST and foremost Jesus is the only religious leader that was put to death and was resurrected. And now He is a living Leader! John, the writer of the gospel of John, notes that when the soldiers came to Jesus on the Cross, "they found Him already dead" (In. 19:33). He was "buried" as a dead Man (19:38-42). But three days later, he "arose" (In. 20:1-91). Paul writes that there were many credible witnesses of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances (1 Cor. 15:1-8). Note it friends: Only Jesus of Nazareth is still alive! Not Elvis, not Mohammed, or any other person, only Jesus. "HE ever lives" (Heb. 7:25). He lives to save us and be with us (Mk.16:15-16; Mt.28:19-20).
SECOND. Jesus is the only religious leader who was in Heaven with the Creator-Father and then came to earth. John 3:16; 8:58; 3:13; 1:1-3,14.
THIRD. Jesus is the only individual who was both Divine and Human. His very essence or nature was Deity and such was manifested in the flesh. Mt. 1:18-25; 1 Tim. 3:16.
FOURTH Jesus was the only religious leader whom, even after intense trials, was found with "no fault." After a grueling, illegal and unfair trial, Pilate (a heathen governor) over and over said: "I find no fault in Him"(Jn. 19:4, 6). And "what evil has He done?" (Mt.27:23)
FIFTH. Jesus is the only Person in all human history who was absolutely perfect in every way, holy, sinless and who went about "doing good." He challenged: "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell you the truth, why do you not believe in Me?" (In. 8:46; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 1:21-24; Heb. 4:15; Acts 10:38). Only Jesus can be designated Matchless, Magnificient, Marvellous.
SIXTH. Jesus fulfilled dozens and dozens of prophecies about Himself. (Full Chart given at the end, be sure to study). Such is not true of any other religious leader.
SEVENTH. The Number of Names and Titles Applied By The Scripture To Jesus:
The Christ - The Messiah - Saviour - Redeemer - Wonderful Counsellor - Faithful
Witness - The Word of God - The Truth - The light of the World - The Way
- The Good Shepherd - Mediator - Deliverer - The Great High Priest - The
Author and Perfector of out Faith - The Captain of our Salvation - Our Advocate
- The Son of God - The Son of Man The Holy One of God - Only Begotten Son
- Mighty God - The Image of God - Everlasting Father - Lord - Lord of All
- Lord of Glory - Lord of Lords - Blessed and Only Potentate - King of Israel
- King of Kings - Ruler of the Kings of the Earth - Prince of Life - The
Son of David - The Branch - David - Root and Offspring of David - The Bright
and Morning Star - Immanuel - The Second Adam - The Lamb of God - The lion
of the Tribe of Judah - The Alpha and the Omega - The First and the Last
- The Beginning and the End - The Beginning of the Creation of God - The
First-Born of All Creation- The Amen.
(From Halley's Bible Handbook).
EIGHT. Jesus' Influence Upon Society As A Whole. His teachings
and ethics have had an everlasting impact on all enlightened societies, democracies,
civil
governments, etc. Calendars in most of the world begin at Jesus' Birth. Before
His birth it is BC (before Christ) and after His birth it is AD (Latin, anno
domini meaning "in the year of our Lord").
As the song writer put it, "TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS"
NINTH. 60 FULFILLED PROPHECIES, ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
CONCERNING HIS BIRTH :PROPHESIED and FULFILLED
1. Born of the Seed of Woman, Gen 3: 15 - Gal 4:4
2. Born of a virgin, Isa 7:14 - Mt 1:18-25
3. Seed of Abraham, Gen 22:18 - Mt 1:1
4. Seed of Isaac, Gen 21:12 - Lk 3:23+34
5. Seed of Jacob, Num 24: 17 - Lk 3:34
6. Seed of David, Jer 23:5 - Lk 3:31
7. Tribe of Judah, Gen 49: 10 - Rev 5:5
8. Family line of Jesse, Isa 11: 1 - Lk 3:32
9. Born in Bethlehem, Mic 5:2 - Mt 2:1-6
10. Herod kills the children, Jer 31: 15 - Mt 2: 16-18
CONCERNING HIS NATURE: PROPHESIED and FULFILLED
11. He pre-existed creation, Mic 5:2 -1 Pet 1 :20
12. He shall be called Lord, Ps 110:1 Acts 2:36
13. Called Immanuel (God with us), Isa 7: 14 - Mt 1:22-23
14. Prophet, Deut 18:18-19 Acts 3:18-25
15. Priest, Ps 110:4 - Heb 5:5-6
16. Judge, Isa 33:22 - Jn 5:22-23
17. King, Ps 2:6 - Jn 18:33-37
18. Anointed by the Spirit, Isa 11:2 - Mt 3:16-17
19. His zeal for God, Ps 69:9 - Jn 2:15-17
CONCERNING HIS MINISTRY: PROPHESIED and FULFILLED
20. Preceded by a messenger, Isa 40:3- Mt 3:1-3
21. To begin in Galilee, Isa 9:1-2 - Mt 4:12-17
22. Ministry of Miracles, Isa 35:5-6 - Mt 9:35;11:4
23. Teacher of parables, Ps 78:1-4 - Mt 13:34-35
24. He was to enter the temple, Mal3:1 - Mt 21:10-12
25. Enter Jerusalem on donkey, Zech 9:9 - Mt 21: 1-7
26. Stone of stumbling to Jews, Isa 28: 16; Ps 118:22 - 1 Pet 2:6-8
27. Light to Gentiles, Isa 49:6 - Acts 13:46-48
HIS RESURRECTION & THEREAFTER: PROPHESIED
and FULFILLED
28. Raised from the dead, Ps 16:8-11 - Acts 2:24-31
29. Begotten as Son of God, Ps 2:7 - Acts 13:32-35
30. Ascended to God, Ps 68:18 - Eph 2:8-10
31. Seated beside God, Ps 110 - Heb. 1:3+13
THE DAY JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED: PROPHESIED and FULFILLED
32. Betrayed by a friend, Ps 41:9 - Jn 13:18-27
33. Sold for 30 pieces of silver, Zech 11: 12 - Mt 26: 14-15
34. 30 pieces thrown in Temple, Zech 11: 13 - Mt 27:3-5
35. 30 pieces buys potters field, Zech 11: 13 - Mt 27:6-10
36. Forsaken by His disciples, Zech 13:7 - Mk 14:27+50
37. Accused by false witnesses, Ps 35: 11 +20-21- Mt 26:59-61
38. Silent before accusers, Isa 53:7 - Mt 27:12-14
39. Wounded and bruised, Isa 53:4-6 - 1 Pet 2:21-25
40. Beaten and spit upon, Isa 50:6 - Mt 26:67-68
41. Mocked, Ps 22:6-8 - Mt 27:27-31
42. Fell under the cross Ps 109:24-25 - Jn19:17;Lk 23:2
43. Hands and feet pierced, Ps 22:16 - Jn 20:24-28
44. Crucified with thieves, Isa 53: 12 - Mt 27:38
45. Prayed for enemies, Isa 53:12 - Lk 23:34
46. Rejected by His own people, Isa 53:3 - Jn 19: 14-15
47. Hated without cause, Ps 69:4 - Jn 15:25
48. Friends stood aloof, Ps 38: 11 - Lk 22:54;23:49
49. People wag their heads, Ps 22:7;109:25 - Mt 27:39
50. People stared at Him, Ps 22:17 - Lk 23:35
51. Cloths divided and gambled for, Ps 22:18 - Jn 19:23-24
52. Became very thirsty, Ps 22:15 - Jn 19:28
53. Gall and vinegar offered Him, Ps 69:21 - Mt 27:34
54. His forsaken cry, Ps 22: 1 - Mt 27:46
55. Committed Himself to God, Ps 31:5 - Lk 23:46
56. Bones not broken, Ps 34:20 - Jn 19:32-36
57. Heart broken, Ps 69:20;22: 14 - Jn 19:34
58. His side pierced, Zech 12:10 - Jn 19:34+37
59. Darkness over the land, Amos 8:9 - Lk 23:44-45
60. Buried in rich man's tomb Isa 53:9 - Mt 27:57-60
The above chart: Adapted, Steven Rudd: srudd@blble.ca