Who is Jesus, According to the Bible?

A Deep Dive into His Identity and Significance

Jesus is a central figure in the Bible, and His role is significant. The modern world must confront the question of faith in Him. He was indeed present with God at the dawn of time, and He is the first to rise from the dead. He is the Messiah. Christians confidently proclaim Him as the King of Kings. You must answer the most critical question: Who is Jesus to you? If you cannot answer this question with certainty, it’s clear that you have not yet indeed encountered Jesus.

Christians have a deep reverence for Jesus. However, what if I suggested that the image of Jesus that many Christians hold in their minds doesn’t align with the description provided by God? For example, in American culture, Jesus is often portrayed as a fair-skinned, blue-eyed man. This description raises an important question: Was the Messiah the only fair-skinned person in Israel?

Why Does Jesus Fascinate Christians?

Many Christians lovingly accept Jesus as the Son of God. However, others perceive Jesus as a man born in a manger in the modest town of Nazareth. They know that Jesus’ father’s name was Joseph, and his mother’s was Mary. He declared that His Father was God. Religious leaders falsely accused him of blasphemy and ultimately crucified Him. But, according to Christian belief, God raised Him from the dead. This is the hope and faith that Jesus inspires. His followers claim to have seen Him after His resurrection. But who is Jesus, and what is it about Him that captivates Christians so profoundly? How can we truly understand His identity? The only way to uncover the true nature of this extraordinary man is through faith. Let’s turn to the Bible for a clearer understanding of Jesus.

What the Bible Says About Jesus

The Bible offers comprehensive insights into the Messiah, covering a range of aspects, including His physical characteristics. However, some Christians are skeptical of the depiction of Jesus as a blue-eyed, blond-haired, Israeli-white man. It’s important to note that regardless of His physical appearance, such characteristics hold no significance for salvation. The Bible serves as the definitive source for understanding God’s Son, and you should approach any information not found within its pages with caution, as it may be purely speculative.

When contemplating the fundamental question, “Who is Jesus?” it is valuable for every Christian to be aware of specific vital facts. The Bible answers every question about the Messiah, including His physical features. However, many modern-day Christians doubt that He was the only blue-eyed, blond-haired, White man from Israel. Regardless of His bodily features, they have no value for salvation. God wrote everything we need to know about His Son in the Bible. If it is not in the Bible, it is purely speculation. When asking, “Who is Jesus?” here are some significant facts every Christian should know.

Did Jesus Always Exist?

The Bible states that before God created the universe, Jesus was present at the beginning of creation alongside God. John’s gospel affirms that Jesus existed before the creation of anything. John writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2). Jesus existed initially, never having a beginning as a creature. He is God, and He was with God. Jesus said of himself, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). The scripture says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3).

Moses records in the opening book of the Old Testament of the Bible that God is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1). However, in the opening book of the New Testament, John states that Christ created all things. These are not conflicting statements, as the same infallible Spirit spoke in Moses and John. Thereby, we understand that Jesus and the Father are ONE. It is ridiculous to say that Jesus made all things by a delegated power from God. God is omnipotent, and He cannot delegate His omnipotence to another. Even if this were possible, the One (Jesus) to whom God delegated His omnipotence consequently would become God. And the One (God the Father) from whom omnipotence was delegated would cease to be God. Therefore, we know that two omnipotent beings can’t exist.

Eternal Word

Jesus, the Word of God in bodily form, is a figure of immense power. The Book of Revelation vividly describes the risen Lord as He is now in heaven. John’s words, ‘I saw a white horse in heaven. And the One sitting on the horse has the name Faithful and True. He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God (Revelation 19:11-13), revealing His awe-inspiring might.

In Greek, ‘Word’ is translated as ‘logos,’ a profound term. It encompasses not just what is said, but also the thought behind it, the essence of translating thought. The Book of Revelation, written in Greek, invites us to delve into its depths by understanding it in its original language. ‘The Word’ is one of Jesus’ titles used in Revelation, and its Greek translation adds layers of meaning to His divine identity.

Lamb of God

Christians firmly believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God. According to the book of John, it is written, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Jesus Christians esteem Jesus as unquestionably the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for sin. Isaiah prophesied the coming of Christ as a guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10). The blood of God’s spotless Lamb has undeniably redeemed us (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Son of God

Jesus, the eternal Son of God, is God in human form (John 1:1, 14). His birth was not a beginning, for He has always existed, just like His Father, and was with God at the dawn of creation (John 1:2). This eternal existence of Jesus, acknowledged as God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16), was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary’s womb (Luke 1:35). At His baptism, the heavens opened, and God’s voice proclaimed, ‘This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’ (Matthew 3:17).

Son of Man

In Matthew chapter 8, Jesus identifies himself as the “Son of Man” in response to a scribe’s offer to follow him. He makes a thought-provoking statement, saying, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:19-20). Additionally, Luke 3:23-38 provides a detailed genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back to Adam. According to this passage, Jesus initiated his ministry at approximately thirty years old. He was claimed by those who knew Him to be the son of Joseph, who descended from Adam and also the Son of God.

High Priest

A priest acts as an intermediary between God and His people, with the high priest serving as the chief among the priests under his authority. In the context of the Jewish faith, only the high priest had the privilege of entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. However, this privilege came with its requirements. He was required to sacrifice for his cleansing, which emphasized the purity and sanctity of his role. Once purified, the high priest could offer sacrifices on behalf of the people (Leviticus 16). Jesus, as the Chief of all priests, is our Faithful and Merciful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17). Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:1-18).

Shepherd

God uses the analogy of the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep to describe the kind of relationship that Jesus has with us. The word of God portrays people as sheep that have no shepherd (Matthew 9:36) and as sheep that have gone astray (1 Peter 2:25). When the word of God finds its way into our hearts, and we receive it, we become sheep in God’s pasture. Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” because He suffered God’s wrath in our place. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

Wisdom

The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom. It states that wisdom begins to manifest when we revere God (Proverbs 1:7). The Bible tells us that wisdom has more value than rubies (Proverbs 8:11). Additionally, it informs us that Jesus is God’s wisdom to the church. But to both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24).

The Bible states that God gave Solomon wisdom and an exceedingly great understanding (1 Kings 4:29). His wisdom surpassed that of all the kings of the earth (1 Kings 10:23). A story in 1 Kings, chapter 3, exemplifies Solomon’s wisdom. Two sex workers went to King Solomon for justice. One night, one of the women accidentally lay on her son, and he died. She got up in the middle of the night, put her dead son in the other woman’s bed, and took her son as her own.

King Solomon asked one of his guards for a sword. When he brought the sword to the king, he said, “Cut the child in half, and give one half to one, and half to the other.” One of the women said, “Go ahead; cut the child in half.” But the mother of the living son said to the king, “My lord, do not kill the child, but give him to her.” Then King Solomon said to his guard, “Give this woman the child; she is his mother.”

Bread of Life

Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35). This profound statement expresses His divine nature, going beyond the physical sustenance of bread. He is the bread that not only sustains life but also fulfills every longing, satisfying the deepest hunger of the soul.

Firstborn From the Dead

When asking the question, “Who is Jesus?” It is important to note that He is the first fruit, the firstborn from the dead. John uses the Greek word for “firstborn,” prōtotokos, which refers to birth order—the first child born. This concept is significant in the Old Testament, in which the firstborn son inherited his father’s place as head of the family, receiving the father’s blessing and a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17).

When asking the question, “Who is Jesus?” It is important to note that He is the first fruit, the firstborn from the dead. John uses the Greek word for “firstborn,” prōtotokos, which refers to birth order—the first child born. This concept is significant in the Old Testament, in which the firstborn son inherited his father’s place as head of the family, receiving the father’s blessing and a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17).

He is the first fruit of those Christians who have fallen asleep. “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. As in Adam, all die, so also in Christ, all shall be made alive. But each in his order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

King of kings

The Bible uses the phrase “King of kings” six times (Ezra 7:12, Ezekiel 26:7, and Daniel 2:37). Additionally, the Bible refers to Jesus as the King of kings three times: 1 Timothy 6:14-15 speaks of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The title “King of Kings” refers to Jesus in Revelation 17:14 and Revelation 19:16. The first three instances refer to the mightiest kings on the earth. The fourth refers to God the Father as the mightiest King in the universe. The Bible refers to Jesus as the King of kings because He is all-powerful. In addition, it signifies His divine authority and sovereignty over all creation.

In the end, God the Father will not judge anyone. Jesus will return to the earth to judge the world (Revelation 19:11-16); the Son will judge all (John 5:22). Jesus is the “Word of God.” John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Thus, we understand that Jesus is God, the eternal King of kings.