Who is Jesus Christ?
Do you enjoy a good mystery thriller? If the author gave you the answer at the beginning of the read, the challenge and the fun would be over. Preachers are often presented in movies as boring teachers of out-dated morality, but the book they’re supposed to be teaching is actually a blockbuster murder mystery, and God doesn’t give His story away too quickly. Here are some of the clues He reveals in the first part of His story to help you discover His hero:
- Near the end of Genesis, the Patriarch Jacob placed his hand on his fourth son’s head and pronounced this blessing:
“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and all people obey him.” (Genesis 49:10)
Who was this Jewish man who would have the right to rule nations?
- Bethlehem was the City of David, but by the 8th century B.C., it had lost its shine. It was small-town Israel—not the place you would expect to generate a world leader. Yet the prophet Micah gave this city this honor. The Prophet Micah might have been referring to Jesus Christ as the Messiah in his prophecies in the Book of Micah.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2 (NKJV).
Who was this Bethlehem baby who actually existed before time? Could it have been the Lord Jesus Christ?
- The Prophet Isaiah’s wife gave birth to a son, but this son could hardly be given the
name “Immanuel” (literally, “God-with-us.”), and his wife was obviously not a virgin.
Who was the Jewish virgin mother Isaiah saw as a divine sign and who was her son?
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14)
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
- Job’s wife nagged him to curse God and die. His three best friends accused him of
being a closet sinner who needed to repent, and God Himself had apparently abandoned his child to the ash heap, but Job still had the faith to say,
“I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25).
Who was this Redeemer that could give hope to a man even after he lost his wealth, his family, his health, his friends, and his closeness to God?
The first half of God’s mystery story gives you clues—a ruler from the tribe of Judah, born in Bethlehem of a virgin mother, and a Redeemer who still gives hope even to an abandoned, dying man. Ever feel alone, abandoned by your friends, and in despair?
You have to read the second half of the thriller, the New Testament, to follow the clues to a man who can give you hope. Only Jesus of Nazareth—the Christ—fits all of these hints and clues.
Want More?
http://www.dontbeleftbehind.org
Sources: Randall Niles, www.AllAboutGOD.com, www.GotQuestions.org, and www.AllAboutTheJourney.org.
