Why Jesus? Why Now?

Though he lived 2,000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth is still relevant, and his offer to grant eternal life to all who accept his message provides hope. His life of healing and teaching addresses humanity like no other religious leader. Most importantly his claim to be divine assures us that at the heart of the universe is a God who loves us. His life and work provide a compelling case for believing in Jesus.

First, the Apostles witnessed his miraculous Transfiguration from human form to divine majesty (Matthew 17:1-9). Peter recounts just how compelling this experience was for him, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain,” (2 Peter 1:16-18). Because of this Peter and the others spoke with passion and certainty to proclaim that Jesus was sent from God.

Second, the Bible answers the question, “Why Jesus?” The experience of seeing Jesus transfigured on the mountain along with experiencing his miracles led the Apostles to conclude that Jesus was not merely another human but that he was God in the flesh. This is a central belief of the Christian faith. If Jesus was truly God in human form (Hebrews 1:1-3 and other Scriptures testify to this), he compels to believe in him above other religious figures. Jesus is the power that created and sustains the universe. He knows the inner mechanisms of the human heart, and only he knows the healing formula for our sin-sick souls.

Third, the question remains, “Why now?” Don’t we have a lot of other choices? Don’t we live in the scientific age? Modern thinking attempts to make Jesus irrelevant, but Christianity maintains that the answers to man’s spiritual needs have not changed. Human beings are more than the sum of their physical characteristics. Mankind is a spiritual being. Furthermore other spiritual paths cannot measure up to a man who came back from the dead to prove everything he said. Jesus remains relevant because Jesus lives.

Our minister presented a fuller treatment of this topic on Sunday, March 6, 10:30 AM. (Listen to the sermon.) (Read the outline.)

(Click here to get more information on the free Bible class, "Newcomer's Guide to the Bible.")