I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty" John 6:35
His Genealogy
Known as the IMMANUEL, which means GOD WITH US ( Matthew 1:23 ). He came to earth 2000 years ago, as a baby born of a virgin - to Mary, the wife of Joseph, a descendant of David, from the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob where the whole nation of Israel originated ( Matthew 1 NIV ). He was prophesied as the coming Messiah, who will save the people from their sins.... His life for our lives, to reconcile us to God, the creator of heaven and earth.
" For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 NIV
"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David." Luke 1:32
His Birth
His birth had long been prophesied. Mary, a virgin, pledged to be married to Joseph, was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit, which was confirmed to Joseph by an angel through a dream.
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son..."Matthew 1:23
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod. Joseph, with his wife Mary at almost the time she had to give birth, went up to Bethlehem in Judea , to register, as decreed by Caesar Augustus. This was known as the "first census" that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria . Since there we a lot of people who went up there, they were not able to find any room at any inn. The most that one innkeeper could offer them was his manger. Since Mary was about to give birth at that time, Joseph had no choice but to take it. There, in a manger, Jesus was born.
At the time of His birth, Wise Men from the east saw His star and searched for Him, bringing gifts to offer to Him in worship. They were overjoyed when they found Him, as what had been prophesied. His birth was also announced by an angel, to a group of shepherds manning their sheeps that night. Like the wise men, they looked for Him and found the baby Jesus, lying in a manger. (Matthew 2, Luke 2)
" Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12
The whole heaven was rejoicing at the time of His birth, singing praises to God, giving glory to the Father for the great wonder that He has done...giving His Son Jesus to the world.
His Name
His name was given to Joseph by an angel who appeared to him in a dream, at the time when they found out that Mary was already carrying a baby in her womb even though they still had no union.
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name JESUS, because He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:20
"On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named JESUS, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived." Luke 2:21
"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRISTis Lord to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11
His Ministry
Jesus ministry is focused on one goal, that is, that man, who was separated from God when the first man, Adam, fell because of sin, be reconciled back to God. Jesus was destined as the sacrificial lamb as described by John the Baptist in Luke 1:29 , "... the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and Men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time." 1Timothy 2:5-6
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believed in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
In all of Jesus' life as a man here on earth, he lived as we are. He experienced having to work ( he was born of a carpenter father, Joseph ), being tempted, suffered, rejected. But in all of those things, Jesus' heart never changed on His calling. Though He is God, he took off His Kingly authority and fulfilled His task as a servant rather than as a master.
"Who being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of the servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself and become obedient to death - even death on the cross!" Philippians 2:6-8
The Way, the Truth, the Life
There are still many things to know about Jesus. His teachings, the miracles He did, His first disciples and many others. All of these are written in the Bible. But the one thing that's important is that, Jesus came for you and me, to reconcile us back to God.
He said:
" I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
Jesus has offered His life for us and is now offering it to you. Will you be willing to receive Him now? If you are, you can pray this simple prayer :
Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that You are God and the only who who can save me. I now open my heart to you and receive you as Lord and Savior of my life. Thank you Lord. In Your name Lord Jesus, this I pray. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer, email us at goodnews@jiacommunity.org
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