Have you ever wondered about who Jesus Christ really was and is? In an effort to help you to understand here is a quick summation of Jesus the Christ.
The Life of Jesus Christ: His Birth, Death, Burial, and Resurrection
The Birth of Jesus
Long ago, God promised that He would send a Savior into the world. This Savior was Jesus Christ. His birth was not like any other because He was born to a young woman named Mary, who was a virgin. An angel named Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would give birth to God’s Son. The angel said:
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus” (Luke 1:30-31, NASB).
Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph. At first, Joseph was confused about what was happening, but an angel appeared to him in a dream and told him that Mary’s child was from God. So, Joseph chose to obey God and take care of Mary and the baby.
When it was almost time for Jesus to be born, Mary and Joseph had to travel to a town called Bethlehem. There were no rooms available, so they stayed in a stable, where animals were kept. That is where Jesus was born. Mary wrapped Him in cloth and laid Him in a manger, which was a feeding trough for animals.
On the night of His birth, angels appeared to shepherds in a field and told them the good news:
“For today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11, NASB).
The shepherds hurried to see baby Jesus and worship Him. Later, wise men from the east followed a special star to find Jesus. They brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The Death of Jesus
Jesus grew up and taught people about God. He healed the sick, performed miracles, and showed love to everyone. But not everyone liked what Jesus was doing. Some religious leaders were angry with Him because He said He was the Son of God. They did not believe Him, and they wanted Him to be punished.
One of Jesus’ followers, Judas, betrayed Him. Judas told the leaders where to find Jesus, and they arrested Him at night. Jesus was taken to the Roman governor, Pilate, who asked the crowd what should be done with Him. The people shouted, “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:13, NASB).
Jesus was beaten and forced to carry a heavy wooden cross to a place called Golgotha. There, He was nailed to the cross, and He suffered for many hours. Even though He was in pain, Jesus prayed for the people who hurt Him, saying:
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34, NASB).
After a while, Jesus took His last breath and died. At that moment, the sky turned dark, and the earth shook. A Roman soldier who saw everything said:
“Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39, NASB).
The Burial of Jesus
After Jesus died, a man named Joseph of Arimathea asked for His body so he could bury Him. He wrapped Jesus in linen cloth and placed Him in a tomb cut out of rock. Then, a large stone was rolled in front of the entrance.
The religious leaders remembered that Jesus had said He would rise from the dead. So, they asked Pilate to have soldiers guard the tomb so no one could take His body. Pilate agreed, and the tomb was sealed shut.
The Resurrection of Jesus
On the third day after Jesus died, something amazing happened! Some women who followed Jesus went to the tomb early in the morning. When they arrived, the stone had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty!
An angel told them:
“He is not here, but He has risen!” (Luke 24:6, NASB).
The women ran to tell the disciples, but they had a hard time believing it. Later that day, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. She was the first person to see Him alive.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Risen Jesus
Jesus did not just appear to Mary—He showed Himself to many people after He rose from the dead.
- He appeared to two men walking on the road to Emmaus. They did not recognize Him at first, but when He broke bread with them, they realized it was Jesus (Luke 24:13-35).
- He appeared to His disciples in a locked room. They were afraid, but Jesus said, “Peace be to you” (Luke 24:36, NASB).
- He let Thomas touch His wounds. Thomas had doubted that Jesus was alive until he saw and touched Him (John 20:24-29).
- He appeared to more than 500 people at once. Many people saw Jesus alive before He went back to heaven (1 Corinthians 15:6).
After spending 40 days with His followers, Jesus gave them a mission—to tell the world about Him. Then, He rose into the sky and returned to heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God.
What This Means for Us
The story of Jesus is the most important story ever told. He came to earth to show God’s love, died to take the punishment for our sins, and rose again so we could have eternal life. Anyone who believes in Jesus and follows Him can have a new life with God.
Jesus said:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NASB).
His life, death, and resurrection changed the world forever. And His story is not over—one day, He will come back again!