Who Is Jesus?

The whole Christian church, in a sense, exists because people are trying to answer this simple question: Who is Jesus? Here's a few simple thoughts to begin...

Who is Jesus?

“Who is Jesus?” is at once a very obvious question to ask and attempt to answer, and one of the most difficult. Whole books have been written to describe who Jesus is, whole University courses exist to study the question in depth, whole careers mapped out in helping people understand the identify of Jesus Christ. The whole Christian church, in a sense, exists because together people are trying to answer this simple question: Who is Jesus?

Google, the modern day font of all knowledge, provides almost 1.5 billion web pages in response to a search on the question “Who is Jesus?”. That’s a lot of reading!

All of that suggests that it would be difficult, perhaps foolish for us to try and answer it in a few words here at the Local Christian Life. We understand that, so we won’t try to provide a complete answer, instead offering a few simple thoughts, some clues to explore, and the encouragement to find a local Christian community within which you can dig deeper into this most fascinating question.

Who is Jesus in Historical Terms?

First, Jesus is a true figure of history. He existed. Most historians accept the basic fact that Jesus was a rabbi, or teacher in the middle-East around 2000 years ago. There are trustworthy historical sources to attest to Jesus’ existence – both within the Bible itself, and in other historical sources. Again though, whole books have been written, conferences planned, and doctoral thesis written to dig deeper into the question of the Jesus of history. Acknowledging him as a historical figure is a good starting point when it comes to digging deeper into the question of who Jesus is.

Who is Jesus in the Bible?

Jesus as presented in the Bible is known to Christians as the Son of God. John 3:16 provides perhaps the best-known description of Jesus and his purpose as “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (New International Version).

The biblical books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John (known as the “gospels”) tell the story of Jesus, the Son of God, born to a virgin mother Mary. Jesus lived, died and was resurrected in the fullness of life in God. The gospels share the story of Jesus’ life – from birth, through to his teaching, healing and preaching ministry as he moved about with his band of disciples. The gospels also record the manner of his death by crucifixion, and his resurrection three days later – an event the Church celebrates at Easter.

Jesus’ teaching is particularly powerful – he used simple stories (or ‘parables’) to help his followers understand the importance of loving God, and loving one another.

A particularly powerful message from Jesus is the “Sermon on the Mount” (recorded in Matthew 5, 6 and 7) in which he describes many aspects of living a truly Christian life. Jesus’ own life is a representation of this understanding – His life is characterised by the mercy, grace, compassion and gentleness that his teaching and stories invite from his followers.

Much of Jesus’ teaching focuses on helping us to understand who God is, and what God’s kingdom is like.

Through the testimony of these four books, the Church has come to understand Jesus as God – and in particular as one of the three persons of God (the Trinity) sometimes described as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The church has come to understand that when we look at the biblical Jesus, we are looking at God – that Jesus and God are one.

Jesus’ life, death and resurrection inspired his disciples – those followers closest to him – to a life-long expression of faith in God that resulted in the forming and nurturing of the Christian church – a church that has continued unabated to this day.

Who is Jesus in Theological Understanding?

Through careful study of the Bible, and through the passing on of age-old understanding, the Church has come to understand Jesus in theological terms (theology being the study of God). The Church proclaims many things about Jesus, some of which are captured in the Nicene Creed – a theological statement dating as far back as 325CE that most Christian churches ascribe to. The Creed says about Jesus:

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial to the father
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

How do I find out who Jesus is to Me?

Along with the questions of history, theology and bible, there is the overarching question – who is Jesus to me? Why should it matter in my life if Jesus exists?

There are many ways to find out more when it comes to knowing who Jesus is. Reading the Bible is one important place to start – particularly the New Testament as a whole and the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John specifically.

You can read books written in more recent times to help answer that question too. There are literally hundreds of books about who Jesus is. A few classics that we can recommend include:

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (also now available as a movie)
The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancy
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
Jesus the King by Timothy Keller

By far the best way though, is to join in the life of a local Christian community. In a local Christian community, you’ll spend time with others who are working to understand who Jesus is, you’ll have the opportunity to study the bible, to learn in small groups or from a minister or pastor. You’ll have time to come to know Jesus, and to explore deeply the question of who Jesus is to you.

Perhaps one of the best ways to learn who Jesus could be to you is to take part in a discipleship short course, such as Alpha or Christianity Explained, run by your local church.

Jump over to our directory to find a church near you and continue your journey of exploring the question “Who is Jesus?”.

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Scott Guyatt is a writer, speaker, trainer, and facilitator who has served the church in Australia for more than two decades. Scott’s experience includes helping the church explore mission, discipleship and leadership practices in local communities across the country.