Today we will talk about why Jesus is important. Many Christians may not fully grasp the significance of His life and teachings. Understanding this is crucial as it shapes our faith and relationship with God. Throughout this reading, let’s be open to the insights and wisdom that Scripture provides, illuminating the reasons behind the central role of Jesus in Christianity.
Why is Jesus Important
Jesus as the Foundation of Faith
At the heart of Christianity, Jesus is recognized not just as a historical figure but as the very core of our faith. His life, death, and resurrection serve as the foundation of our belief system. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29), it’s a question that every individual must answer. His identity is crucial for understanding not only who He is but who we are as His followers.
In Hebrew, the name Jesus is derived from “Yeshua,” meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” This encapsulates His purpose to save humanity from sin, demonstrating that He is indeed a mighty Savior (Matthew 1:21). In the Greek context, the name translates to “Iesous,” representing the same salvific nature but within a Hellenistic environment. Jesus not only fulfilled the messianic prophecies (Isaiah 53:5-6) but also embodied the solution to humanity’s brokenness by offering grace and redemption.
The historical view of Jesus reveals a man whose teachings inspired millions and whose impact transcended generations. In John 14:6, Jesus boldly claims, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” This statement captures the essence of His mission: to guide us to a relationship with God through Him. In essence, Jesus isn’t merely important; He is fundamental to understanding who God is and what He desires for humanity.
Jesus as the Ultimate Revelation of God
Jesus is known as the ultimate revelation of God to humankind. Through His life, He demonstrated God’s love, compassion, and righteousness in tangible ways. In John 1:14, we read, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” This verse points out that Jesus embodies God’s Word, highlighting that to know Jesus is to know God (John 14:9).
This understanding aligns with the Hebrew concept of “dabar” (word or speech), rooted deep within the Jewish tradition. When God speaks, creation responds; when Jesus speaks, hearts awaken. His teachings about love, mercy, and forgiveness reveal an intimate portrait of who God is. In Luke 6:36, He instructs us to be “merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” This benchmark of morality illustrates God’s character through Jesus—showing that our understanding of God must be filtered through His sonship.
In the Greek understanding, “logos” translates to “Word” and can mean reason or principle. Jesus fulfills this by becoming the living principle of God. He doesn’t merely communicate truths; He embodies them, guiding us to relationships with one another and ultimately with God (Colossians 1:16). This is why understanding Jesus is critical; His life is the lens through which we interpret Scripture and comprehend God’s will.
Jesus as Savior
Recognizing Jesus as the Savior is perhaps the most vital element of understanding His importance. As the Scriptures affirm, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16). This powerful act of love is central to our faith, illustrating God’s desire for us to have eternal life.
In the Hebrew Bible, the concept of salvation is tied to the idea of “yasha,” meaning deliverance or rescue. When Jesus uttered, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He signaled the completion of God’s plan for salvation. No longer do we have to engage in rituals of animal sacrifices, as Jesus presented Himself as the ultimate atonement for our sins (Hebrews 10:12). His death reconciles us with God, allowing us to stand blameless before Him, a gift freely given to those who choose to accept it (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Moreover, Jesus’ resurrection is the assurance of our future hope (1 Corinthians 15:20). In defeating death, He opens the path for us to experience eternal life, making Him the cornerstone of our faith—an assurance that prevents despair and fosters hope (Romans 6:4). Without Jesus, this promise of salvation is unfounded, but because of Him, we can have confidence in our eternal destiny.
Jesus as the Source of Spiritual Life
Jesus presents Himself as the source of spiritual life in ways that are both relatable and transformative. In John 10:10, He states, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This promise doesn’t limit itself to mere existence. Instead, it encapsulates a vibrant, fulfilling relationship with Him, characterized by joy, peace, and an inner transformation (Galatians 5:22-23).
The Greek term “zoe,” which means life, is pivotal here. It refers to anything but physical existence; it encompasses vitality and purpose. In Christ, we find a path to true communion with God (John 15:5). This understanding redefines our perspective on what it means to live—a life intertwined with Christ leads to spiritual nourishment, confirming our identity in being loved and chosen.
In the Old Testament, the idea of living water signifies both sustenance and refreshment (Jeremiah 2:13). Jesus identifies Himself as that very spring of life in John 7:38, emphasizing that those who believe in Him would experience this divine life flowing through them. This highlights that Jesus is not merely a Savior from hell; He is our daily sustenance, whether in times of trial or joy, inviting us to draw continually from Him (Philippians 4:19).
Jesus as Our Intercessor
Another vital role Jesus plays is that of our intercessor. Romans 8:34 articulates that “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” This verse emphasizes that even now, Jesus actively advocates for us before the Father, assuring us that we are never alone in our struggles.
The Hebrew concept of “siddh” signifies righteousness, which Jesus embodies completely. In this role as intercessor, He seeks to present us blameless before God. In essence, He bridges the gap caused by our sins and deficiencies (1 John 2:1). This role of intercession assures us that our prayers are heard and that we have someone striving for our well-being at God’s right hand.
The significance of this is immense. In days when we feel undeserving or weighed down by shame, we can rely on His ongoing support (Hebrews 4:15-16). Through Jesus, we are granted access to God’s throne of grace—a place we can approach confidently to receive mercy and grace in times of need. This relationship brings comfort, knowing He cares deeply and continually advocates for us.
Jesus as the Fulfillment of Prophecy
Throughout the Old Testament, Jesus fulfills many messianic prophecies that were written long before His birth. In Isaiah 7:14, we see the prophecy of a virgin giving birth to a son, which Matthew 1:22-23 affirms was realized in Jesus. This not only builds a foundation of credibility concerning His identity but reinforces the belief that God orchestrates events according to His divine plan.
Understanding the Hebrew roots of prophetic fulfillment allows us to appreciate God’s continual engagement in history. The term “nevi’im” refers to the prophets, who were the voices of God’s messages (Jeremiah 1:5). Jesus stands as the culmination of all these proclamations, fulfilling the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17). This intertwining of past and present enhances our understanding of salvation’s scope, allowing us to recognize God’s magnificent plan from creation up until today.
Moreover, the numerous prophecies surrounding the coming of the Messiah enrich our faith. For instance, Micah 5:2 prophesizes Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, which can be traced to His lineage (Matthew 2:1). Every prophecy serves as a stepping stone that reveals Jesus’s importance as the chosen one, increasing our trust in the Scriptures and God’s promises (2 Peter 1:20-21).
Jesus as the Example of Love and Service
Jesus also stands as the ultimate example of love and service for His followers. In John 13:15, He states, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” This call to serve mirrors His own life, where He humbles Himself, washing the disciples’ feet—an act that challenges our cultural norms regarding leadership and authority (Philippians 2:5-8).
The Hebrew concept of “chesed,” which encompasses kindness and love, is embodied in Jesus’s actions. He does not just preach love; He exemplifies it by comforting the broken, healing the sick, and feeding the hungry (Matthew 14:13-21). His very existence demonstrates that love requires action. He enables us to visualize that love transcends just words; it requires compassion and willingness to serve others (1 Peter 4:10).
This capacity to love and serve others is a cornerstone of our faith, urging us to follow in His footsteps (Ephesians 5:1-2). When we recognize the magnitude of Jesus’s love, it ignites a passion within us to share that same love with others, fostering a community that reflects His goodness and grace (John 15:12-13). We become vessels of His love, bringing light to a world often filled with darkness.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on Jesus’s importance, we find multiple threads weaving together to form the core of our faith. His role as our Savior invites us into a transformative relationship that completely redefines how we see ourselves. Through Jesus, we understand God’s loving nature, the depth of His sacrifice, and the promise of eternal life.
Moreover, Jesus’s teachings challenge us to live out our faith through love and service, demonstrating how vital it is to reflect His character in the world around us. The way He fulfills prophecy builds our trust in God’s plan, reminding us that His promises are always kept. Ultimately, Jesus is not just an important figure but the very foundation of our lives as Christians.
As we continue to meditate on His significance, let us endeavor to live like Him, demonstrating love, serving those in need, and embracing the grace He offers. In doing so, we embody the essence of what it means to follow Christ and share His love with a world that desperately needs it.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4