Question: Dr. Tony, I’m a new Christian, and I have many questions about Jesus. Some of the stuff I’m learning is difficult to understand and believe. Some of my questions are: was Jesus even real, or what was he like on earth? I heard he was a Jewish rabbi. Is that true? Who did Jesus claim to be, and why did he die? Can you help answer some of my questions?
Answer:
As a new Christian, I know these are exciting and confusing times for you. I completely understand you may be asking a lot of questions about Jesus Christ, and to be honest, many of your questions don’t have a simple answer. But that’s ok. I have a doctorate degree in theology, and I still have many questions.
My recommendation is to start praying, asking God to send you some individuals who can help you grow in your faith. Please understand, your faith is personal and corporate, which means you will need a community of believers to help you grow. God never intended for you to be alone in your faith. Nevertheless, I pray my response is a starting point for your lifelong conversation about faith.
Was Jesus even a real person?
The historical account of Jesus is beyond debate. Jesus did exist. He was a Jewish man, born to a Jewish mother in the first century. He went by the name of Yeshua, and He was born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth. Throughout history, Jews and gentiles alike have been gripped by the person of Jesus as documented in the accounts of four books of the New Testament called “the Gospels.”
What was Jesus like on earth?
I cannot truthfully answer this question, but if I had to guess, an encounter with Jesus was rarely a casual chat. Jesus is the authority of God, and on earth, His words would have raised profound questions in people’s hearts about God and human life. I don’t think you could have met Jesus and leave unchanged or unchallenged by the encounter. I believe He was a man who had calluses on His hands, a unique sense of humor, and compassion for His people, especially the vulnerable, afraid, hopeless, and oppressed. He expressed that compassion in words of truth and acts of healing.
Was Jesus a Jewish rabbi?
The Jewish leaders and rulers of His day acknowledged Jesus as an equal, calling Him “Rabbi” (Luke 19:39), which means Jesus was considered to be a Jewish scholar or teacher, especially one who studies or teaches Torah (Five Books of Moses).
Who did Jesus claim to be?
This question is a difficult question to answer without being long-winded. There are so many layers to Christ’s identity you would need to comprehend before you could truly understand. Nonetheless, Jesus revealed His identity by doing the loving and mighty acts that only the authority of God can do by accomplishing the works of restoration and forgiveness that only the authority of God can accomplish and showing sovereignty over creation that only the authority of God can have.
When asked directly if He was the Messiah, He not only proclaimed that to be true (John 10:25) but went on to say, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Some have said that Jesus was a good Jew, an observant Jew, or perhaps even a prophet to the Jewish people. However, the most important thing to consider is the testimonies of the Apostles about Jesus.
Why did Jesus die?
In the Old Testament, there are at least three references to someone’s death stopping judgment against or serving as atonement for a group of people or a nation. Even some of the Jewish rabbis teach that Messiah’s death will serve as atonement for sin. Jesus chose to die an atoning death that would provide a reconciliation between humanity and God. Jesus’ death was not an accident. It was the very purpose and goal of His mission.
By dying, Jesus willingly stood in our place and took the penalty of sin, which rightfully belongs to each one of us. But He didn’t stay dead. By rising from the grave, He defeated the power of sin and death and enabled us to be reconciled with God. And it is this resurrection power, the power of life from the dead, which is available to anyone who believes in Him. This resurrection power has been changing the lives of both Jews and Gentiles since the first century.
Once again, many of your questions don’t have a simple answer but I hope and pray my responses have helped you a little bit. Please take some time to pray to God, asking Him to help you find a community of believers who will help you grow and learn more about your faith.