Knowing Jesus

In the Bible, Jesus Christ is described as both Son of God and Son of Man – fully God and fully man. He is from everlasting to everlasting, but entered our history about 2000 years ago, with one purpose: to restore our broken relationship with God by taking our sin upon himself and paying the price on our behalf. Jesus came as the bridge between us and God – to enable us to know God, be at peace with him and gain life everlasting.

At Christmas we celebrate his birth. We call this the Incarnation, which means God taking on human flesh. Another name given to Jesus is Immanuel – ‘God with us’. Jesus identified with us in our human weakness, but lived a perfect life, without sin. In humility the Son of God limited himself to a human body and a human lifespan, so that he could raise us up to know God’s life in us.

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) tell us about his birth and ministry. Jesus lived as a carpenter in Nazareth until he was about 30. His public ministry only lasted three years but had an impact which is immeasurable. His message was one of repentance, forgiveness, new life, and love: love for God, for oneself, for family and friends, for neighbours – and for enemies.

His claims to be God were validated by healing and other miracles, and his teaching was challenging. He attracted devoted disciples – and implacable opponents from the religious leaders of the time. He tried to warn his disciples that he would be betrayed, arrested, tried, mistreated and executed by crucifixion, but that he would rise from the dead, vindicating his claims to be God. His disciples were unable to grasp what he was saying, but after his resurrection and return to heaven, they did understand it, and recognised that Old Testament prophecies relating to Jesus had been fulfilled.

On Good Friday Jesus was crucified, the world went dark for three hours, and he was abandoned by everyone – even God his Father. The reason was that Jesus was carrying the full burden of human sin – wrongdoing of every kind and in every age.

He was buried and guards were placed at the tomb because he had prophesied that he would rise again. Even so, on the third day, Easter Sunday, the tomb was empty. He appeared to many of his disciples for 40 days, and then ascended into heaven, where he is now seated in glory at the right hand of the Father.

At Pentecost God poured out his Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Jesus – who lives within us and helps us to live a life which is pleasing to God and a blessing to ourselves and others.

The Bible tells us that at the time of God’s choice Jesus will return, not as a baby but as a glorious Saviour and King, both to judge the world and to make everything new. Christians look forward to that time in hope and expectation.

Forgiveness, new life, having God’s Spirit within us, the promise of eternal life with God – we call these things ‘salvation’. We can only receive this as a free gift, through faith. There is nothing we can do to earn it. There is no-one who is outside of God’s love or unable to receive this gift.

The Methodist Church celebrates John Wesley’s ‘Four Alls’ – summarising our need and God’s provision:

All need to be saved

All can be saved

All can know themselves saved

All can be saved to the uttermost.

If you would like to know more about Jesus, who he is, what he did and how he can give you new life, email us at ministry@wesleychurchreading.org.