Who Is
Jesus?
Discovering the One Who Changes Everything
Introduction
The most important question anyone can ask is this: Who is Jesus? Not just historically, but personally. Not just as an idea, but as the living center of reality itself.
Jesus isn't one religious option among many. He's not simply a good teacher or moral example. According to the witness of Scripture, Jesus is God Himself stepping into human history to rescue, restore, and remake the world.
The Bible makes astonishing claims about Jesus. It says He created everything, holds everything together, and will one day make everything new. It says He is the visible image of the invisible God. It says that in Him, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
These aren't small claims. If they're true, then Jesus isn't just important. He's the most important reality in the universe. This isn't about religious information. It's about encountering the One who changes everything.
Let's begin this journey together.
The One We've Been
Waiting For
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:14 ESV
Before we can understand why Jesus came, we need to understand where His story begins. It doesn't start in Bethlehem. It starts at the very beginning of everything.
The Gospel of John opens with these words: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:1-3 ESV). Jesus has always existed. Before anything was created, He was there with God the Father. Everything that exists was made through Him. He wasn't just a human being who became special. He is God who took on human flesh.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15 ESV). When you see Jesus, you see what God is like. When you hear Jesus speak, you hear God's voice. When Jesus touches someone in compassion, you witness God's love in action.
For thousands of years, God had been making promises to His people about a coming Messiah who would rescue them and set things right. The prophets spoke of a suffering servant, a conquering king, a light to the nations. Jesus is the fulfillment of every one of those promises.
When Jesus stepped into our world, Heaven and Earth collided. God didn't just send someone to tell us about Him. He came Himself.
This is what theologians call the Incarnation. God became human. He didn't pretend to be human or put on a human costume. He experienced everything we experience: hunger, thirst, fatigue, temptation, joy, sorrow, friendship, betrayal. Jesus is fully God and fully human. He's the bridge between Heaven and Earth, the One who shows us what God is like and what we were created to be.
This changes everything. You're not trying to reach a distant, unknowable God. God has come near. He has a face, a name, a voice. And that face is Jesus.
Reflection
- What does it mean to you that Jesus has always existed and created everything through His Word?
- How does the Incarnation — God becoming fully human — change your view of God?
- In what ways do you need to encounter Jesus as the "image of the invisible God" today?
The Kingdom
Has Arrived
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:15 ESV
The very first words of Jesus' public ministry were these: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15 ESV). This wasn't just nice religious language. It was a world-shattering announcement.
For centuries, Israel had been waiting for God to return as King, to set the world right, to defeat evil and restore creation. The prophet Isaiah declared: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns" (Isaiah 52:7 ESV). And Jesus was saying: It's happening now. In Me.
The Kingdom of God isn't a place you go when you die. It's God's reign breaking into the present. His will is being done "on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10 ESV). And Jesus is the King.
The Good News
The word "gospel" literally means "good announcement." God is King, and His Kingdom has arrived.
Miracles as Signs
Everywhere Jesus went, the Kingdom showed up. Healing, freedom, restoration — glimpses of the world as God intends.
The Future Invading Now
No more sickness. No more death. This is the future invading the present — and you are invited in today.
Jesus' miracles weren't just displays of power. They were signs that the Kingdom was breaking in. They were glimpses of the world as God intends it to be. And here's the stunning reality: Jesus invites you into this Kingdom. Not someday. Not after you die. Now.
To follow Jesus is to step into this Kingdom reality. To let His values shape your choices. To join Him in bringing Heaven to Earth.
Reflection
- How does viewing Jesus as a King — not just a Savior — change your understanding of following Him?
- Where do you see evidence of God's Kingdom breaking into the world today?
- What would it look like to live under Jesus' reign in your daily life?
The True Human
"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV
Jesus didn't just come to fix our sin problem. He came to show us what it means to be truly human. He is what we were always meant to be.
The story goes back to the beginning. God created humans "in his own image" (Genesis 1:26-27 ESV). We were made to reflect God's character, to care for creation, to live in perfect relationship with our Creator. But in the Garden, the first humans chose rebellion over trust — and everything broke. Relationship with God was severed. Harmony with creation was lost. Even relationships between people became marked by shame, blame, and brokenness.
The Apostle Paul explains it this way: "Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned" (Romans 5:12 ESV). Adam's choice affected all of us.
Adam — The First
- Chose rebellion over trust
- Wanted to be like God on his own terms
- Brought sin and death into the world
- Left humanity bent toward brokenness
- Severed our relationship with God
Jesus — The Last Adam
- Lived in perfect obedience to the Father
- Chose God's will over His own
- Brings life and restoration
- Shows what humanity fully alive looks like
- Restores our relationship with God
Every moment of Jesus' life reveals what humanity looks like when it's lived in complete dependence on God. When He heals, we see human compassion fully alive. When He forgives, we see human mercy perfected. When He prays, we see human communion with God as it was meant to be.
When we follow Jesus, we're not just obeying commands. We're learning to be human again. We're being restored to the image we were created to bear.
As Paul writes: "We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another" (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV). Jesus is remaking you. He's restoring the image of God in you. He's teaching you what it means to be fully human, fully alive in the way God always intended.
Reflection
- How does Jesus as the "second Adam" give you hope for becoming truly human?
- What does Jesus' life teach you about living in complete dependence on God?
- Where do you need Jesus to restore the image of God in you?
The Cross:
Victory Through Surrender
"He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."
Colossians 2:15 ESV
The cross is the center of everything. It's where Jesus defeats evil — not through violence, but through self-giving love. This is the upside-down victory of the Kingdom.
When Jesus went to the cross, it looked like defeat. The religious leaders had rejected Him. The crowd that once followed Him now called for His death. His disciples scattered. He hung between two criminals, mocked and abandoned. But what looked like defeat was actually the greatest victory in history.
"He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:5-6 ESV
On the cross, Jesus absorbed the full weight of human sin, rebellion, and brokenness. He took it all into Himself: every lie, every act of violence, every broken promise, every betrayal, every bit of shame. He let it kill Him. And in doing so, He broke its power forever.
The Apostle Paul writes: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV). Jesus became what we are so that we could become what He is.
The cross means you are forgiven. Completely. Fully. Forever. You are loved beyond measure. You are set free from the power of sin and death.
But the cross isn't just about forgiveness. It's about liberation. Jesus "disarmed the rulers and authorities" (Colossians 2:15 ESV). He exposed the powers of evil for what they are. He defeated them not by killing His enemies, but by dying for them. He conquered through sacrifice, not force. This is the stunning revelation: the way of the Kingdom is the way of the cross.
We follow a crucified King. And He calls us to take up our cross and follow Him. We don't seek revenge. We don't return evil for evil. We love our enemies. We forgive those who hurt us. We lay down our lives for others.
Reflection
- How does understanding the cross as victory — not just payment for sin — change how you see Jesus?
- What does it mean for you to "take up your cross" in your everyday life?
- In what ways are you tempted to seek power or security apart from the way of Jesus?
Resurrection:
The Beginning of
New Creation
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
The resurrection changes everything. Jesus didn't just come back to life. He launched the new creation. Death has been defeated. The age to come has broken into the present.
On the third day after His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. The tomb was empty. Death could not hold Him. When Jesus walked out of the tomb, He wasn't a ghost or a spirit. He had a real, physical body — glorified, transformed, but real. He ate food with His disciples. They touched Him. He had scars from the cross. This is the promise of resurrection: not escape from the material world, but its renewal.
Firstfruits
"Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor. 15:20). What happened to Him will happen to all in Him.
God's Declaration
Easter Sunday is God's declaration that evil does not get the last word. That death is not the end. That the future is restoration, not decay.
New Creation Now
Right now, Jesus is renewing you from the inside out. He's healing your broken places. He's making you part of His new creation.
Because Jesus is alive, you can be made alive. Not just spiritually, but in every dimension of your existence. The resurrection means hope is real. Justice will come. Love will win. Sickness, pain, death, and suffering will be no more. And one day, Heaven and Earth will be fully reunited under the reign of the risen King.
Reflection
- How does the resurrection give you hope in the midst of present struggles?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus promises bodily resurrection, not just spiritual survival?
- Where do you see signs of "new creation" breaking into your life or the world around you?
Following
Jesus Today
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
Luke 9:23 ESV
Knowing about Jesus is not the same as following Jesus. Following means discipleship — learning His way of life, His priorities, His rhythms, His love. And the beautiful truth is this: you don't follow Him in your own strength.
In Jesus' day, to be a disciple meant to follow your rabbi everywhere. You didn't just learn information. You learned a way of life. You watched how your teacher treated people, how he prayed, how he handled conflict, how he loved. The goal was to become like him.
Jesus invites us into something radical but also deeply life-giving: to reorganize our entire lives around Him. Not just our Sunday mornings, but our work, our relationships, our money, our time, our struggles. Everything. This sounds overwhelming, and it would be, if we were doing it alone.
"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth."
John 14:16-17 ESV
But here's the promise: Jesus doesn't just call you to follow Him and then leave you to figure it out. He gives you His Spirit. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you, empowering you, guiding you, transforming you.
Take Up Your Cross Daily
Following Jesus costs something. But He never asks you to carry your cross alone. His yoke is easy, His burden light (Matthew 11:30).
Love Your Enemies
Forgive without keeping score. Reject violence and choose the way of peace. This is what life looks like when God is King.
Direction, Not Perfection
None of us will follow Jesus perfectly in this life. But it is about direction — are you moving toward Jesus or away from Him?
Every day, you get to choose: Will I follow Jesus, or will I follow the patterns of the world? Will I trust His way, or will I trust my own? The choice is yours. And it's a choice you make not once, but daily. But remember — you're not alone in this. The Spirit of God is in you, for you, and with you every step of the way.
Reflection
- What is one area of your life where Jesus is calling you to follow Him more closely?
- How does understanding Jesus as Lord — not just Savior — challenge you?
- What does it look like to take up your cross daily in your current circumstances?
The Center of
Everything
"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Colossians 1:17 ESV
We return to where we started: Who is Jesus? And now, perhaps, you can answer with more clarity. He is the center of everything.
The Apostle Paul writes one of the most beautiful statements about Jesus in all of Scripture: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:15-17 ESV).
Jesus is not one piece of your life puzzle. He is the One who holds the whole puzzle together. He is the lens through which you see God, yourself, and the world.
Your Identity Is Secure
You are loved, forgiven, adopted, chosen. In Christ, your identity is not defined by performance or failure, but by what He has done.
Your Purpose Is Clear
To know Him and make Him known. To live as His disciple. To participate in His mission of healing and restoring the world.
Your Hope Is Anchored
Not in circumstances, but in the risen King who is making all things new. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
You Are Not Alone
Jesus calls His followers friends (John 15:15). He promises to be with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
The invitation of Jesus is simple but total: "Come, follow Me" (Matthew 4:19 ESV). Trust Me. Let Me remake you. Join Me in what I'm doing to heal and restore the world. Give Me your whole life, and I will give you life abundant.
This is who Jesus is: the Son of God, the true King, the crucified and risen Lord, the center of all things. The One who was and is and is to come. The Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. And here's the most amazing part: He is inviting you into a relationship that will last forever.
Reflection
- How has your understanding of Jesus grown as you've explored these truths?
- In what ways do you need to make Jesus more central in your life?
- What is your response to Jesus' invitation to follow Him?
The question "Who is Jesus?" is not one you answer once and move on. It's a question you live into for the rest of your life. Every day, you'll discover new depths to who He is. Every season, you'll see Him in new ways. Every struggle and joy will reveal more of His character. So keep asking the question. Keep seeking His face. Keep walking in His way. Because knowing Jesus is not the end. It's the beginning of everything.
What Will You Do
With Jesus?
Everything we've explored over these seven days points to a single moment of decision. Jesus is not simply a figure to admire from a distance. He is the living Son of God who is making a direct claim on your life. And every person must respond.
The Four Things You Need to Know
More Than Forgiveness: What God Actually Promises
Salvation is not just a transaction where your sins get cleared and you go back to being exactly who you were with a clean record. God promises something far more staggering than forgiveness. He promises to make you a completely different person.
"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" Not improved — entirely new.
"I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you." God doesn't ask you to change your heart. He promises to replace it.
"The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." You are not being asked to try harder with the same broken equipment. You are being offered a new engine, new desires, new power.
"He saved us... by his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior." Not because of anything you have done — because of His mercy.
Jesus called it being "born again" — a completely new beginning at the level of the soul. He said it plainly: "Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God... Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life." (John 3:3, 6 NLT).
You cannot earn this. You cannot work your way to it. You receive it — by turning from your sin and trusting in what Jesus has already done. And the moment you do, everything the Bible promises begins.
A Prayer to Begin
If you're ready to respond to
Jesus' invitation, you can pray this.
It's not the words themselves that matter. It's the posture of your heart. Jesus is listening.
Daily Prayer
"Jesus, I hear Your invitation. I believe You are who You say You are — the Son of God, the true King, the crucified and risen Lord. I confess that I need You. I cannot save myself or live the life I was created for on my own. Forgive me for the ways I have turned away from You and tried to be my own lord.
Today, I choose to follow You. I surrender my life to You — all of it. My past, my present, my future. My plans, my dreams, my fears. I give it all to You. Teach me what it means to walk in Your way. Make me a part of Your Kingdom. Fill me with Your Spirit. Transform me from the inside out. Lead me, shape me, and use me for Your purposes.
I am Yours, Jesus. Thank You for calling me into this new life with You. Amen."