The historical record of Jesus confirms basic facts about his life and is rarely disputed among serious historians. These facts are important because they build and support our understanding of who he was as a whole. We know his birthplace, that he was born in or around the first century, that his father was a carpenter, and other details about how he spent his time and what kind of life he lived, generally speaking. But to grasp all he is, we must move beyond his biographical information and delve into his character.
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The Good Teacher and an Exceptional Person
The first attribute of Jesus is widely accepted among men and even promoted by those who do not ascribe to his teachings. “He was a good teacher” or “He was a wise man.” You may have heard other statements about his general goodness or wisdom, and such statements are conclusively true.
He frequently astonished his listeners with his understanding of the interpretation and application of the scriptures. “When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given him?’” (Mark 6:2).
He also spoke with authority no one had ever heard before! “Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority” (Luke 4:31-32).
Based on these testaments, we can conclude that Jesus was not only wise, but also possessed a degree of authority that not even the religious leaders held. And we don’t just see this authority demonstrated through his words! Let’s look back at that verse from Mark 6, “When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?’” (Mark 6:2).
Up until this point, we have just been dealing with the background information of a man—a good, wise, influential man, but still just general facts we might expect to hear about any person. Then we encounter the testimonies of the miracles he performed. Now we are shown that there is something more to Jesus of Nazareth than solely being a “Good Teacher” or “Influential Figure.”
The Second Person of the Trinity
The miracles Jesus performed were countless. “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). From healing the sick to turning water into wine, from raising the dead to calming the raging seas—and more—Jesus displayed his strength. But where did he get such power and authority?
“Jesus answered, ‘I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me…I and the Father are one.’” (John 10:25). Jesus clearly states where his power comes from and what his nature is. This is not the only instance in which Jesus made claims of deity about himself. In John 8 during a heated discussion with the religious elite, Jesus declared, “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58). While Jesus is obviously claiming to have existed prior to the life of Abraham, he is making an even more profound claim to deity that the Pharisees would be extremely familiar with from the record of Exodus where God revealed His name to Moses, “I AM who I AM” (Exodus 3:14).
So thus far we see where Jesus performed miracles and attributed the power for those miracles to his deity. In addition, he utilized his wisdom and his sound understanding of scripture to reveal his status as the Son of God, or fully equal to God in nature. After teaching a passage from Isaiah, he declared, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). And again after his resurrection when walking with two of his disciples, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).
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The Word Incarnate
Though Jesus made clear his deity, he did not negate his human nature. Scripture is clear that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. We see this displayed in the birth of Christ (Luke 2:1-7). We see it again in his growth from infant to boy to man (Luke 2:52, Mark 6:3). We see it in his emotions and his temptations (John 11:33-36; Matthew 4:1-11).
But why is his human nature even important? Because as a man Jesus took on the wrath of God in the place of all who would believe in him. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:2). On top of that, his humanity granted us a high priest who can empathize with our sufferings and give us confidence to approach God the Father (Hebrews 4:14-16).
The Resurrected
Jesus’ deity and human nature culminate at the resurrection. If Jesus was not human, he could not have died. If Jesus were not God, he could not have overcome the grave! We see the perfect paradox and confirmation of all Jesus said he was and is come to its fullness in the resurrection. Without the resurrection, Christianity is no more than a powerless, moral ideology (1 Corinthians 15:14-19).
But praise God we have an abundance of eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ to be confident that this story is so much more than a fairytale or legend! In scripture, we find recorded the accounts of his appearances to Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, his disciples, and many other bystanders. These records allow us to place at least as much faith and confidence in the event of the resurrection as we do for any other historical event.
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The Savior
Now, we have explored the nature of Jesus, but one thing remains to be said. What is your RELATIONSHIP with the risen Christ, the Word who became flesh, the Son of the living God, the Good Teacher, the Carpenter’s son? Is He your Rock, Redeemer, Savior, Lord? The bible warns us that intellectual acknowledgment of Christ and his work is not sufficient (James 2:19). We must be born again, repent, and believe in the Lord Jesus (John 3:3; Acts 16:31). If you are unsure where you stand with the Lord, cry out to Him in faith to reveal Himself and to save you! Seek Him with your whole heart, and the Bible assures us, we will find him (Jeremiah 29:13).
