Is Jesus Real?

The story of God’s love continues into the New Testament with the arrival of His Son, Jesus.  Jesus is the central figure of the Christian faith. The New Testament, especially the four Gospels, tells the story of Jesus.
 
Yet, traditions about Jesus appear in many sources outside the Holy Bible. The ancient non-Biblical sources have been valuable because they offer information about Jesus from a non-Biblical perspective. In many instances, these non-Biblical sources confirm or explain the Biblical story as well as the existence of Jesus. Four ancient sources discuss or reference the earthly Jesus: Josephus, Roman historians and other writers, Rabbinic writings, and the Qur’an.

The non-Biblical sources can be divided into two groups: pagan and Jewish. Both groups are limited in their value. There are essentially three pagan sources of importance: Pliny (Epistles x.96), Tacitus (Annals xv.44), and Suetonius (Lives xxv.4). All of these sources date from the second decade of the second century. The main Jewish sources are Josephus (Antiquities) and the Talmud. These non-Biblical sources provide little information about Jesus, but they all establish the fact that He truly lived, that He gathered disciples, performed healings, and that He was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate.

Other Biblical sources outside the four Gospels also provide essential knowledge of Jesus’ life. The information from the Books of Acts through Revelation is essentially as follows: Jesus was born a Jew (Galatians 4:4) and was a descendent of David (Romans 1:3). Jesus was gentle (2 Corinthians 10:1); righteous (1 Peter 3:18); sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21); humble (Philippians 2:6); and tempted (Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15). In addition, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26), was transfigured (2 Peter 1:17–18), was betrayed (1 Corinthians 11:23), was crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23), rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–8), and ascended to heaven (Ephesians 4:8).

The major source of information of Jesus is the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Although all four Gospels present the life and teaching of Jesus, each Gospel concentrates on unique features of His life and character. Matthew, Mark, and Luke—the “Synoptic” Gospels—tell the story of Jesus and His public ministry in Galilee. John is separate from the other Gospels. Over 85% of John’s Gospel is unique to Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Yes, Jesus is real!

References

Green, Joel. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Intervarsity Press, 1992.
Draper, Charles. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Holman Reference, 2003.
Life Application Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2005.
NIV Study Bible. Zondervan, 2008.
NLT Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
Meek, James A. One Great Story: Study Guide to the Bible, 2007.
 

Cling To God!

Joshua:  6 “So be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instruction. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left. 7 Make sure you do not associate with the other people still remaining in the land. Do not even mention the names of their gods, much less swear by them or serve them or worship them. 8 Rather, cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now. 9 For the Lord has driven out great and powerful nations for you, and no one has yet been able to defeat you. 10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised. 11 So be very careful to love the Lord your God. 12 But if you turn away from Him and cling to the customs of the survivors of these nations remaining among you, and if you intermarry with them, 13 then know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive them out of your land. Instead, they will be a snare and a trap to you, a whip for your backs and thorny brambles in your eyes, and you will vanish from this good land the Lord your God has given you. 14 Soon I will die, going the way of everything on earth. Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed! 15 But as surely as the Lord your God has given you the good things He promised, He will also bring disaster on you if you disobey Him. He will completely destroy you from this good land he has given you. 16 If you break the covenant of the Lord your God by worshiping and serving other gods, His anger will burn against you, and you will quickly vanish from the good land He has given you.” Joshua 23:6-16 (NLT).

Before dying, Joshua gathered the people of Israel together and gave them final words of encouragement and instructions to help them stay faithful and loyal to God. Joshua had faithfully and wholeheartedly served God. He personally eye witnessed Israel’s escape from Egyptian slavery, God’s parting of the Red Sea, and God’s deliverance of Israel into the Promise Land.  Moreover, Joshua was a talented leader and a great general, but he always gave the glory to God for his success. 

Now, Joshua gave the people his final words and the wisdom behind his success (Joshua 1:5-9). First, Joshua instructed the people to obey God’s Word first in their lives (Joshua 23:6). God desires our obedience to Him and His Word (see e.g., 1 Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:11-17; Jeremiah 7:22-23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Mark 12:32-33). Joshua knew that God’s Word is faithful and God’s promises never fail (Joshua 23:14). Second, Joshua commanded the people to only worship the true and living God (Joshua 23:7-8). Third, Joshua directed the people not to worship, bow down, or love any other gods (Joshua 23:9-16) as this would compromise their complete loyalty and allegiance to the true and living God (Deuteronomy 5:26; Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

In essence, Joshua instructed the people to respect the Lord, to love Him wholeheartedly, and to willingly serve Him as God (see also Joshua 24:14-15). God is faithful and trustworthy.  Most important, God loves us and gave His Son, Jesus to save the world (Matthew 1:21-23; John 3:16; Romans 6:23). Joshua encouraged the people to keep trusting, obeying, and loving God. God would protect them against their enemies just as God had fought for the Israelites in the past (e.g., Joshua 10:11-14).  So, love God and trust in Him!

Compassionate Use of Wealth and Possessions

The Christmas Story

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah (Christ), a descendant of David and of Abraham: . . . 18 This is how Jesus the Messiah (Christ) was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good (righteous) man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a Child! She will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named Him Jesus. Matthew 1:1, 18-25 (NLT).

The Gospel writer Matthew begins his Gospel by proving that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah to bring salvation to all people, worldwide (Matthew 1:21).  The promise of God’s salvation began as early as Genesis 3:15 of the Old Testament with the Original Sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  This promise of salvation continued with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 22:18; Matthew 1:1); Jacob and Judah (Genesis 49:1-2, 8-11); Moses at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20), the Jesus’ star (Numbers 24:17); King David (2 Samuel 7:16; Matthew 1:1), and the prophets (e.g., see Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 8:8, 10; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-5; Jeremiah 31:5; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13-14; Hosea 11:1; Micah  5:2; Zechariah 9:10). The people continued to anticipate God’s salvation even after 400 years of silence with the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi (Malachi 4:15; Luke 3:15).

Over the years, many false figures came and went, who claimed to be the Messiah. Yet, these false figures never received a heavenly announcement. However, the arrival of salvation through the birth of the Baby in Bethlehem did not go unannounced.  The heavenly angels (Luke 2:8-14), shepherds (Luke 2:15-20), the wise kings (Matthew 2: 1-12), Simeon (Luke 2:25-35), and Anna (Luke 2:36-40) all came and worshiped God’s arrival to earth in the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). Finally, the true Messiah had arrived!  Once again, God had faithfully kept His promises to the world (see also Joshua 23-24). God is a promise keeper!

Jesus the Messiah is a descendant of Adam (the father of all people), Abraham (the father of all Jews), and a direct royal descendent of King David (Matthew 1:1, 6; Luke 3:23-38). Most important, Jesus is the biological and natural Son of God (Matthew 1:18-23; Matthew 2:15; Mark 1:1) while Joseph is His stepfather or legal father of earth. Mary conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit and not by human means (Matthew 1:18, 20). Thus, Jesus is both human and God – a human mother, Mary, and a Divine Father. Jesus had a righteous and just stepfather with Joseph. Joseph always did what was pleasing in the eyes of God and he faithfully obeyed God’s guidance (Matthew 1:16-25; Matthew 2:14-15). Even more, Joseph trained Jesus in the trade of carpentry and to follow His true Father, the living God of Israel (Deuteronomy 5:26; Luke 2:41). 

God sent Jesus to earth because He loves us (John 3:16), and He wants to save humanity from their sins. Jesus means "the LORD saves" (Matthew 1:21) and this salvation is available to all who simply believe and trust in God through Jesus. Moreover, Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua (Yeshua).  Christ (or Christos) is Greek for Messiah, which means “Anointed One.” Christ is Jesus’ title and His mission is the Savior of the world (Matthew 1:21). Also, Jesus is called Immanuel, meaning "God with us." Jesus was and continues to be present with those who trusts in Him as their Savior through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:23; see also Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; Acts 1:1-8). Amazingly, the Gospel writer Matthew ends his Gospel by commissioning everyone to tell the Good News of Jesus’ salvation to all people, worldwide (see also Matthew 28:16-20).  So, go tell everyone that Jesus the Savior has been born!

Your Whole Heart For God!

8 "So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever. 9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve (worship) Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. . . . 20 David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you . . . " 1 Chronicles 28:8-9, 20 (NIV).

As King David prepared to transfer the kingship of Israel to his son, Solomon, he gave final instructions to Solomon and to all the people listening (1 Chronicles 28:1). God promised to King David an eternal kingdom and to bless his family line with kings (1 Chronicles 17). This promise is often called the Davidic covenant (see also 2 Samuel 7:1-29). Also, this promise was one of a series of promises between God and His people – with Abraham (Genesis 12; Genesis 17:1), with Moses at Sinai (Exodus 20), and now with King David. This promise of God was fulfilled in the New Testament with the arrival of Jesus the Messiah of King David’s royal family line (Luke 1:32-33).

King David told Solomon in the hearing of all Israel to be careful to obey God's commands and to wholeheartedly follow and seek God, and to serve God first. The Holy Scriptures are God’s Words and are essential for life, peace and justice. King David knew of the importance of following God’s will and His teaching.  He had courageously, humbly, and wholeheartedly served God. King David instructed the people listening to also have a wholehearted loyalty, dedication, and devotion to God and God’s will. 

God searches every heart and nothing is hidden from God (1 Chronicles 28:9). He sees our inner heart, thoughts, and motives.  King David encouraged the people to be completely open, honest, and loyal to God. God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving.  No one can hide any thought, action, pain, sadness, or fear from God.  As we walk with God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus works within our hearts to "to will and to act according to His good purpose'' (Philippians 2:13).  Besides, “he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). So, let everyone “be strong and courageous” in trusting God (1 Chronicles 28:20-21). God is with us (Matthew 1:23) and let us all be with God by following His will and ways!

The Birth Announcement

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them (the shepherds), and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a Baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 

 

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”  15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the Baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing Him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. Luke 2:8-17 (NLT).

Jesus the Messiah arrived to a small Jewish town in Bethlehem, a town five miles south of Jerusalem. However, Jesus’ small town arrival to earth received a grand announcement from heaven. God the Father sent His heavenly angels (also called "the armies of heaven" or "heavenly hosts") to announce the arrival of His Son, Jesus the Messiah (meaning Christ). The angels announced to the world the good news of Jesus. Jesus would be the Lamb of God (John 1:36) that would take away the sins of the whole world and bring peace. 

For years, the Jews had been waiting for the Messiah. Now the Messiah had arrived not only for the Jews but for all people, worldwide. Jesus the Messiah brought God’s lasting peace, salvation, and Kingdom to earth.  Even more, Jesus brought everyone a chance to receive a new heart that will last for eternity to all who believe and accept Him (see Romans 5:1).

All the more amazing are the people that received this heavenly announcement, shepherds.  Shepherds were common, ordinary people and often portrayed in first century Judaism as drifters, homeless, poor, and troublemakers.  The shepherds were some of the first people to hear God’s angelic announcement that salvation and peace had arrived for all nations, worldwide.   At first, the shepherds who heard Jesus’ angelic announcement were frightened, but their fear turned to joy and excitement.

That night in Bethlehem, the angels sang a short hymn. This hymn is called Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Latin for “Glory to God in the Highest”) and sometimes this hymn is called Gloria.  The angels gave praise to the majesty and loving God. This heavenly hymn has inspired musical composers for years and is the basis of many choral works, Christmas carols, and liturgical chants.  Christmas songs inspired by this passage include:

Angels We Have Heard on High
O Holy Night!
Silent Night! Holy Night!
The First Noel
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.

God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to the world!  Jesus Christ is the best Gift the world will ever know.  Thank you God!

Immanuel—God With Us!

3 Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “. . . . 4 Tell him (King Ahaz) to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn’t need to fear the fierce anger of those two burned-out embers, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah. . . . 9  Unless your faith is firm, I (God) cannot make you stand firm.” . . . 13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? 14 All right then, the Lord Himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a Child! She will give birth to a Son and will call Him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Isaiah 7:3-4, 9, 13-14 (NLT)

 

Around 734 B.C., King Ahaz of Judah in Jerusalem feared the coming attack of two invading armies (2 Kings 16). King Ahaz was one of Judah's worst kings and he had turned away from God. He refused to trust in God's help against those invading armies.  Instead, King Ahaz tried to form an alliance with the Assyrians rather than obeying and trusting in God for deliverance (2 Kings 16:7-8).

 

In His mercy, God sent the Prophet Isaiah to tell King Ahaz to stop worrying and have faith in Him to deliver Judah from their enemies.  God was in control and He wanted King Ahaz to place his faith in Him and not in political alliances with Assyrian. Isaiah predicted that Judah would not come to an end as Immanuel would be a miraculous sign of their deliverance.

 

God is a God of mercy, grace, and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6-7).  He always keeps His promises. God promised a Child of hope would be born from Judah to secure God’s messianic promises to King David (2 Samuel 7:12-17). This Child would save not only Judah but the entire world of their sins. Matthew 1:23 of the New Testament quotes Isaiah 7:14 to prove fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy to King Ahaz (see also Luke 1:27).  Mary, a young virgin girl, conceived a Son by the Holy Spirit, named Immanuel, meaning “God with us” or “God is with us.” This Child is the Christ from the line of King David of Judah and He is God incarnate (or in the flesh).

 

So as the Prophet Isaiah told King Ahaz, stop worrying and trust in God!  God has now sent Immanuel and "God is with us."