Jesus Lived a Unique and Miraculous Life
Christians are followers and disciples of Jesus. He is at the center of our beliefs, our truth, our peace, our life. The Prophet Jesus had a virgin birth, without a human father, but with God as his father and Mary as his mother. So, his birth is unique and miraculous. Trustworthy reports show that angels announced his birth. Both poor shepherds and wealthy wise men went to see the infant Jesus. He was blessed by holy men and women at his dedication. Jesus the Word of God lived a fascinating life, too. He performed miracles. He healed people who were born blind. He healed crippled people and lepers. He demonstrated love, kindness, and compassion. His teaching astounded the people and it’s well known that he lived a sinless life. His life revealed the character of God. It is possible to discover that many prophecies about God’s anointed were fulfilled in Jesus’ life. He is unique and miraculous!
Even the end of his life is interesting. Jesus the Messiah ascended to Heaven. There is no grave for followers of Jesus to make a pilgrimage for worship. This is unique as well. People who trust Jesus as Savior are called Christians and enter a spiritual relationship with God, and think of God as a loving Father. Christians find our beliefs in the Bible. The Scriptures point to Jesus again and again. When Christians gather together for worship, we are called the church.
True Christianity is a Fully Real Life
Christianity is spiritual, and God speaks in his Word of being born again. We all have a life as people on earth, but God offers us another life, a fully real life, an eternal life. People who humble themselves before God can receive it. We cannot gain it by being good, or by doing good works like helping others, or giving money to the poor. Only trusting Jesus for our slavation lets us be born again into a spiritual life. This fully real life gives us joy, a deep peace in our hearts, and hope for a life beyond the grave. May God be praised.
There is a problem though, and all people have it. The disobedience of Adam, the first man, is so great that his sin has been passed down to all generations. We fail to always do good or right. We prefer to take joy in God’s creation rather than in God himself. We offend God and bring shame upon ourselves. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. How can sinful people be acceptable to a holy God? God’s solution has been to provide a mediator between Himself and man, the man Christ Jesus. Our sin and shame was worked out at the cross where Jesus died. A mediator must be acceptable to both sides – to sinful man, and a Holy God. Jesus, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Jesus died on behalf of all humanity, a sacrifice to God, a payment for guilt and shame, a ransom to redeem people. People who trust that Jesus did this for them can be saved. God found Jesus acceptable. For we do not have a high priest [a mediator] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. God was satisfied with Jesus, even before Jesus had done any spiritual work. When Jesus was baptized, God honored Jesus by saying, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
More about Jesus
So, Jesus had a unique life. He showed that God is love. He healed the sick and gave sight to the blind. He showed that God isn’t distant and unapproachable. Jesus developed friendships and shared life with many people. Jesus the Messiah came so that people could have life,and that we might have it more abundantly. This fully real life can be ours only because of what Jesus did on the cross for all of humanity. This was his work as a mediator. His death fulfilled the purposes of God by gaining a people for himself. The Romans killed Jesus by using a cross at the encouragement of the Jews. However, we are told that we all fall short of the glory of God. Everyone is guilty before God. You are guilty. I am guilty. Yet God will freely forgive us. As he suffered, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke, chapter 23, verse 34). Jesus made atonement before God for our sins upon the cross. It is not our good works that can make us acceptable before God. We cannot balance our evil with our good. They are not on the scale together. It is like poison in water. Once any measure of poison gets in, all the water is bad. We can’t wash it out. You must start with fresh water, with a new life. Our sin is paid for by God’s grace and love. He shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
About Christianity
Christianity is a world religion. It is not tied to one language, or culture, or location. Even the Bible was written in both Hebrew and Greek. There are Christians in every country, and in most people groups all around the world, including the Beja. One short Bible story is found in the Revelations chapter (sura) 7, verse 9-10. John describes what people do in heaven: “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb [meaning Jesus]. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” Everyone who wants a fully real life has to make a decision. We must personally believe that Jesus mediated our peace and ask Him to apply His work on the cross on our behalf. He will gladly take our shame upon himself, but it is not automatic. The most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16. It reads: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” You can remain in your position of shame while you wait for God to avenge your sins that dishonor Him; or you can seek Christ and His work as mediator, being elevated to the position of the greatest honor as a child of God—even an heir with Christ.
There’s more, including personal contact!
This part of bejafriends.org explores Christianity more. It’s good for you to gain an understanding. We’ll look at some stories of people who met Jesus, and we’ll look at some helpful passages from the Book. We’ll look at some typical beliefs and practices of Christ followers. Have a look around. Ask questions too! We’d love to get into a conversation with you about who Jesus is, and what real Christian life is about. We’re all in transition, and on a journey of faith to connect with God. Let’s go together!