Who is Jesus?

The great figures of human history are fascinating topics to study. Their lives, their ideas, their contributions to humanity are inspiring. Jesus of Nazareth stands without equal in this group. Billions of people have found hope and life and meaning in their relationship with Him. In this brief study we will begin to examine what the Bible says about who Jesus is.

Jesus' time in human history

Western culture marks the years as B.C., "Before Christ," and A.D., for the Latin phrase "Anno Domini," which means "Year of the Lord." Jesus lived roughly 500 years after Buddha, 50 years after the death of Julius Caesar and 600 years before Muhammad.

1. Read about Jesus' birth in Matthew 1:18-25.
   • Who is Jesus' mother?
   • What is strange about this birth?
   • What is Joseph's role?
2. Now read Luke 1:26-37.
   • It speaks of the conception of Jesus in His mother's womb.
   • Again, who is Jesus' mother?
   • Who is Jesus' "Father?"
   • Verse 35 is key. What will Jesus be called?
3. In some literature Jesus is described as though He were an alien from outer space. He's almost unreal. Look up the following verses and identify the human activity or characteristic seen in Jesus.
   • Luke 2:7
   • Luke 2:40
   • Matthew 4:2
   • John 11:35
   • John 19:28
   • Mark 4:38
   • Matthew 27:50
   • The point that these verses make is that Jesus is truly what?
4. Yet, the mystery of Jesus is a deep one. Read again Luke 1:35. Who is Jesus?
   • Read Luke 2:1-14. Who do the angels say has been born? (v. 10-11)
   • Read again Matthew 1:18-25. One of the many titles given Jesus is “Immanuel.” According to verse 23, what does this word mean?
   • Do you see Jesus as "with you?" Why or why not?
5. Read the following verses. Identify the action of Jesus that shows He was more than human.
   • Matthew 4:23-25
   • Matthew 8:1-4
   • Matthew 9:18-33
   • Matthew 14:22-33
   • Mark 4:35-41
   • John 2:1-12
   • John 11:38-44
   • The point of these verses is that Jesus truly is whom?
6. What do you think is the most important message from the Bible about Jesus?

Questions for thought/discussion:

1. What are your criteria for someone to be considered your hero?
2. How did you develop your present concept of Jesus?
3. When you discuss spiritual topics with your friends, does the image of Jesus that you just read from the Bible come up very often? If so, how? If not, why not?

Suggested further activity:

1. There is a video called “Jesus of Nazareth.” Check it out or purchase it from a local video store or Christian book store and watch it.
2. For further reading, read pages 115-124 of Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation from Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo.

1. Read the following verses. What do they say about why Jesus came into the world?
   • Luke 19:1-10
   • 1 Timothy 1:15
   • 2 Corinthians 5:19
   • John 10:10
2. Read John 3:16-17. In these verses, what is Jesus called?
   • What is the goal of God the Father in sending Jesus into the world?
   • What is God's feeling about the world?
3. Jesus knew why He had come into the world. Three times He predicted what would happen. Read the following verses:
   • Matthew 16:21
   • Matthew 17:22-23
   • Matthew 20:17-19
   • What did Jesus say would happen?
4. In John 10:11-18 what does Jesus call Himself?
5. In John 15:13 what does Jesus prove for us by laying down His life?
6. According to 2 Corinthians 8:9 why does Jesus do this? What does “rich” mean in this verse?
7. Read John 19:30. What did Jesus cry before He died? What was “finished?”
8. When Jesus died on that cross He was sacrificing His life to save ours. That was His purpose in coming into the world. We will study more about that later. For now, we need to focus on Jesus dying for us because we needed His love and His life to be given to us. Read the following verses. What does each say about Jesus?
   • Romans 5:8
   • 1 Timothy 1:15
9. Read Matthew 28:1-10. What is the message of the angels? Why is this important?
10. Read John 14:1-6. Why is Jesus so important?

1. How does the victory of Christ's resurrection set Him apart from other religious leaders?
2. If someone really believed the passages we read in this study were true, how would it change his or her life?
3. In your opinion, what is the most impressive thing about Jesus?

1. Seek out an active Christian and work through this study with them. Ask his or her thoughts.
2. For further reading, read pages 124-143 in Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, from Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo.

1. Read 1 John 4:8. According to the end of that verse, what is God?
2. Now read 1 John 4:7-16. These verses contain some very important truths. First, who are the three divine persons mentioned in these verses? Verses 9, 10, 14, 15? Verse 13?
3. According to those verses, why did God the Father send God the Son?
4. According to verse 13, who was sent to abide in us?
5. Read Matthew 3:16-17. Who had just come up out of the Jordan River? Who descended like a dove? Whose voice was heard from heaven?
6. Read Matthew 28:19. Who are the three persons who are to be mentioned in a Baptism?
7. Read 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. Twice the point is made about how many "gods" there are. How many "gods" are there?
8. The mystery of God is a deep one. No human ever fully understands it. Yet the Bible does teach us enough to know that God is three distinct persons, while being only one God. The word the Christian church uses for this is “triune.” It means three-in-one. Read Ephesians 2:18. What is the ultimate purpose of the three persons who make up the one God?
9. Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” The Bible looks at the wonder and beauty of creation and sees God's creating hand behind it. The Bible is not a book of science, but a book of faith. What is the point made in Hebrews 3:4? What is the affirmation of faith in Hebrews 11:3?
10. Read John 16:12-15. Jesus is speaking in these verses. It is the night before He died on the cross. Who did Jesus say was going to come to the disciples after He was gone? What was the Holy Spirit going to do?

1. A theologian once wrote, “If you believe in a god you can fully understand, you can be sure it isn't the true God.” What point was he trying to make?
2. If God is love, why is there so much suffering in the world? If God is love, how would He view that suffering?
3. What are the various theories about the origin of the universe? How is the biblical teaching of creation different from them? How is it similar?

1. Ask several of your friends, “When do you feel close to God?” Discuss with them why that is.
2. For further reading. Read pages 99-115 and 144-153 of Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo.

1. Humanity is depicted in the Bible as God's crowning achievement in creation. We are created to give God glory and honor. Yet, the sad story of human history and our personal history shows a different picture. We are going to start this lesson by looking at the bad news. Read Romans 3:23. What is the truth about all of humanity?
2. Read 1 John 3:4. How does this verse define sin? Whose law is being broken in this verse?
3. Read John 8:34. What does Jesus say happens to people who sin? How does that show up in peoples' lives? Have you seen any of that in yourself? In verse 36, what does He say He can do?
4. Read Romans 6:23. What is the consequence of sin? What is the free gift of God?
5. The word “grace” has a particular definition in Christian terminology. It means undeserved love. When we didn't deserve it, God loved us. It is His grace. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. What is the startling truth in these verses?
6. Read Romans 5:8. How did God demonstrate that grace?
7. The “Gospel” is the good news that Jesus died to pay the price of our sins and rose from the dead to conquer our sin and death. Read Romans 1:16. What is the power in the Gospel?
8. Read Hebrews 11:1. What is the definition of faith?
9. Turn again to Ephesians 2:8-9. What is the role of faith in our salvation? Both our salvation and our faith are called what? Why can we not boast?
10. “Jesus is Lord” was the first “creed” of the New Testament Church. Read 1 Corinthians 12:3. What is essential for us to confess Jesus as Lord?

1. Analyze the saying, “It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere.”
2. Is it easy for you to trust others? If so, why? If not, why not? What bearing might that have on your spiritual journey of trusting God?
3. In what way do people get enslaved to sin? What does it take to be freed? How do 12-step programs shed light on this?

1. Ask a close and trusted friend to have lunch with you. Try to tell that person where you are right now in your relationship with God. Then share the most personally challenging point of this lesson.
2. For further reading, read pages 93-98 and 160-164 of Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo.

1. First, let's remind ourselves of God's ultimate plan for you and for everyone. Read 1 Timothy 2:3-6. What is God's desire for everyone?
2. During Jesus' trial before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, Pilate asked Jesus the question of questions. Read John 18:38. What was Pilate's question?
3. Earlier, in a prayer, Jesus had given the answer. Read John 17:17. What did Jesus say God's Word is?
4. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. What is God's relationship to the Scriptures (Bible)? What is the purpose of Scripture?
5. Spiritual truth binds people together with a spiritual bond. Read 1 Peter 2:5. What are the images for the church in this verse?
6. Read 1 Corinthians 1:2. Note carefully first how Paul describes the church of God in Corinth.  They are what? With whom do they share that?
7. Yet those “saints” in Corinth had immorality, factions, lawsuits, hypocrites and pride running amok among them. The church has always been filled with sinful people on the way toward getting their lives in order. Read Revelation 1:5-6. For what is Jesus praised?
8. The Christian church is about forgiven sinners being found and carried home in Jesus' love. Read Luke 15:3-7. If you had been that sheep, how would you have felt when Jesus picked you up and carried you home?
9. There is nothing like being a forgiven child of God because of trusting in Jesus as your Savior. It is beyond description! Read Romans 8:37-39. What is God's promise to you?
10. Read Romans 10:9. What is God's promise to you?

1. It is common today to hear people say there is no such thing as absolute truth. How does a belief in God challenge that?
2. Have you had any past experiences with the Christian church? If so, have they been positive or negative? In what way? How does that past affect your decisions today?
3. If you were to continue your spiritual search, how could a church help you?

1. Visit with people who are active in their church. Ask them how the church assists them in their spiritual journey.
2. For further reading, read pages 153-168 in Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo.