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Who is Jesus?

    Early in Jesus’ earthly ministry he asked two key questions of his disciples. The first: “Who  do the people say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13) They answered that most believed he was a prophet. Christ followed through by asking them what they believed. Simon Peter voiced this profound statement: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16 KJV) I have heard Jesus called a prophet, an ascended master, a great man and even a nice guy.  Yet none of those descriptions are accurate.
     Jesus often referred to himself as the “Son of Man” or our representative before God. Those with limited perspective referred to him as Rabbi (teacher) or Master (sir) (see Luke 18:18-23).  Matthew 1:21(KJV) give us more clues. In it we learn that Jesus was given his name because” he shall save his people from their sins.”  John the Baptist described him as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:21 KJV).  Moreover, the title Christ is a form of the Greek word Christo?s, which means “Anointed One” or Messiah.  Reviewing the prophetic books and gospels (Mat 18:11, Luke 9:56) reveals that his birth and life fulfilled biblical prophecy (Isaiah 9:6-7). Finally his family heritage is from the line of King David (Mark 10:47).
Still many consider him the ultimate martyr for mankind. Yet to define Jesus by his humanity is misunderstand his divinity.  Examine John 1:1 in the Amplified Bible which reads “in the beginning was the Word (Christ) and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God [in Heaven].” This means that he is part of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit and an active participant in creation (Genesis 1:26).  
    Just as important is the tangible illustrations Jesus gave us for living a Godly life. He is our living map to eternity. “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me”, Christ explained (John 14:6)   He showed us that Christians should demonstrate love, service, forgiveness, patience, self-control and tolerance.   One of the best examples can be found in his interaction with the prostitute in Luke 7:37-50. In this, account Jesus is dining with a member of the religious elite, a Pharisee. A sinful woman humbly seeks him out, weeps and kisses his feet and anoints him with perfume. The Pharisee is offended by her presence but Christ is moved: “Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave Me no water for My feet but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss (affectionate greeting) but she from the moment I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint My head with [cheap, ordinary oil], but she has anointed My feet with [costly, rare] perfume. Therefore I tell you, her sins many [as they are] are forgiven her—because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little.” (Amplified Bible) Jesus later expands the principles of this lesson through the washing of his disciple’s feet (John 13:4-16).
     Why do believers call Jesus Christ Lord? Christians know that Jesus reigns eternally, sitting at the right hand of the father. (Mark 14:62)  Every facet of His earthly life reflected the divine; from his phenomenal birth to the miracles he performed. While his wisdom is flawless he actually lived what he taught.  As Savior Jesus settled our sin debt so that we could be restored to righteousness (uprightness) before God. To receive grace all we need is faith.  We call Jesus the Christ Lord because he is very image of God.