Sola Christus ("Christ alone")
If there is any Person who has impacted human life in the history , it was and is Jesus Christ. Various group of people have recognized Jesus differently. Some accepted him as teacher, some as prophet, philosopher, messenger of God, healer, leader. The Ebionites, an early Jewish Christian community, believed that Jesus was the last of the prophets and the Messiah. Few Gnostics believed that Jesus was an Aeon (one of the orders of spirits). Ahmadis call him Yuz Asaf ("Leader of the Healed"). Some feared him for being a political revolutionary.
But Jesus asked his disciples “ who do you say that I am?" and Peter replied “You are the Christ, the son of the living God” This is the real identity of Jesus. He is Christ, the Messiah.
Col 1:13-18 God hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son Jesus. In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church. who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. “
2000 years ago , heaven set the stage to redeem man from burden of Sin. The biggest heavenly operation after the creation of mankind. Gods beloved Son was set to be born as human. Several announcements had been made on earth thru various prophets, kings, leaders about his coming. His name was announced. For the first and last time a virgin was to give birth to a child. God was about to fashion himself as man so that he can offer the ultimate sacrifice and redeem the mankind from sin.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. That night angels announced the birth to shepherds who went to the manger straight away. Eight days later Jesus was circumcised. Forty days later Jesus was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem and was presented before the priest. They returned to Bethlehem. At this point, the magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem.
Magi had very high positions in Babylon and they were consultants to all the Babylonian rulers. They were astrologers. In the east they ware also known as the religious leaders. Herodotus, the Greek historian, describes them not as religious figures, but as political figures. In fact, they were known as king-makers!
They brought Gold, frankincense and myrrh.
They brought gold. Gold was a symbol of kingship, a symbol of power. They were recognizing that Jesus was King.
They brought frankincense. This was the priestly gift. They recognized Jesus as the Priest.
They brought myrrh. Myrrh is an ointment which was used to heal, but was also used to embalm the bodies of the dead. This gift symbolized Christ's death on the cross. They acknowledge the human suffering that Jesus will partake on the cross.
He was God sent, He was of born of a Virgin. He was sinless. He proclaimed that He is the way , and there is no other way. He sacrificed himself on the cross . God credited Christ's account with the sins of the people. Jesus became the substitute for all those chosen before the beginning of creation to be saved.
Non Christian source like Greek records , Historians like Cornelius Tacitus, Josephus Flavius , Romans officials (Pliny) Lucian the Greek lecturer and numerous authentic records have acknowledge that Jesus was born and the records matches the biblical dates. Majority of them acknowledge that Jesus was a teacher, prophet and was GOD Send.
A non Christian historian, Flavius Josephus (c. 37–c. 100), mentions the death and resurrection of Jesus: "When Pilate, upon the accusation of the first men amongst us, condemned Jesus to be crucified, those who had formerly loved him did not cease to follow him, for he appeared to them on the third day, living again, as the divine prophets foretold, along with a myriad of other marvelous things concerning him."
The story is told that Abraham Lincoln went to a slave auction. He was troubled by the way these people were handled as property. One particular slave was offered for sale and Lincoln purchased him. When the slave came to his new “owner” he asked, what would you like me to do. Lincoln gave him the bill of sale and said, “I have purchased you so that you may go free.”
This is what Jesus did for us. He paid the price for our sin with His life. He did this so that we might be set free from sin. Jesus died and was resurrected on the 3rd day. He appeared to several disciples. He is now mediating to God for me. I don’t need any other mediator any more. My redeemer My Jesus lives.
Over 2000 years secular groups, atheist movements, anti Christian religions and political fractions, rulers and individuals have tried to uproot Christianity but the Christianity has grown more rapidly. Even in this information age, in the era of science and technology, people are following Christ more fervently then ever.
Jesus was not the only leader who was born. Many leaders rise to fame with their teachings , impressive persona and had masses to follow but none had atonement for sin. Their views ware either inspired by political ideologies or ware philosophical. Only Jesus dealt with Soul. Only Jesus showed a way to eternity. Of all only Jesus was risen after death and appeared to his disciple.
The death of Christ was the act of his humiliation in which he underwent extreme torture the sins of ALL mankind. He endured it purposely because he was the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep; The act was out of obedience to his father and love for the mankind
Even when he was rejected by his own people and counted worse than a murderer; he was forsaken, denied, and betrayed by his most intimate disciples he remained faithful even unto death. He was stripped of his garments and denied necessary food. Jesus, while he was on the cross was mocked and whipped.
He died for my Sin ,
Christ alone is the object of faith and only hope of salvation. Christ was sent into the world by his Father, as the consequence of the Father's affection for his people. GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
In order to get saved, you need to acknowledge that we are sinners from birth. We have sinned. Only Jesus can saves us from the sin. Jesus was born of Virgin birth and lived a sinless life. He was sent from God , Jesus Christ died for your sin. He died and have resurrected on third day. By accepting Lord as Personal Saviors, we can receive pardon for our sins and Salvation is yours.
When you receive Jesus you receive forgiveness of sins, you receive a new nature, you are completely new person. You die to the past ,you have a new life. You come to Christ and you’re delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son. You are no more under the yoke of Satan and you belong to Jesus.
Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross,
so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
So I’ll…..
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
So I’ll…..
