Who Is Jesus?

The question, “Who is Jesus?” is not a new one. People have been seeking answers to that question for centuries. People were talking about Jesus and asking that very question. One day Jesus asked his disciples who people said that he was. They answered, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:14). Obviously, the people could not agree who Jesus was even when he was on earth. Jesus then asked, “But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). According to Jesus, the truth is revealed by divine revelation. those who receive this revelation are blessed..

After Pentecost, the gospel spread quickly throughout the know world. Thousands gave their heart and lives to Jesus. However, there is a devil seeking to deceive people. When people do not get their information from God or Godly leaders, it is easy for people to developed wrong ideas about Jesus. Many of these ideas are based on false information or false assumptions.

During the dark ages, there was a falling away from the truth. There are many reasons for this. The main reason was lack of knowledge of the word of God since “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17b). Most people during the dark ages were illiterate. Therefore, the religious people believed that only the Priest could understand the word of God. Since the printing press had yet to be invented, books had to be copied painstaking by hand. Therefore, only the rich could afford a bible.

During this period, false religious leaders were misleading many people. These religious leaders often ignored the truth of the scriptures. The Priest spread many false beliefs. The traditions of men were created and added. The people were looking for the truth and some of the priest and other men and women took advantage of the situation. In some places, the government was controlled by the church officials. Thankfully, some brave men and women decided to take a stand against the church officials. Some of the people sailed across the ocean to America because they wanted religious freedom. We now know them as the pilgrims. Later the United States of America was made up mostly of people would wanted to create a more prefect union that included religious freedom.

Over the years many people has taken advantage of people seeking the truth. Some have even taken one or two verses and created a new doctrine or religion from it. These false doctrines and religions blind the eyes of the people from the truth. The false doctrine and other religious beliefs placed people in bondage. This is clearly the work of the devil. Jesus came to set the captives free, not place them in more bondage. It is sad that often times the followers of false doctrines work harder to spread there ideas than Christians do at proclaiming the good news of Jesus. Through Jesus, we are free. Therefore, we should work to break the strong holds that the devil has on others.

Other people’s ideas are based on false assumptions. Some common false assumptions are
sins are too great
the word “all” does not mean all
Fathers are abusive therefore Jesus must be abusive.
They may feel that Jesus is angry with them.
Others feel that Jesus does not love them. Many times earthly fathers are hurtful or angry towards their children. Therefore, they feel that Jesus does not love them even though that could not be father from the truth.
Others based their ideas solely on the Bible. This is the best way. However, just having a bunch of facts about Jesus does not mean that you have a relationship with him. A relationship with Jesus is what Peter had. In order to have a relationship with Jesus, you need to know what he has to say about himself. Therefore it is best to take time each and everyday to read the word of God and pray. Ask Jesus to show you the truth. Remember the Bible says, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…” (Philippians 2:12). This means to become humble and go to God with respect and reverence. From there you can truly, now that you are a child of God that you are greatly loved by God.