First Baptist Islamorada
Weekly Message: The Teachings of Jesus – Who was He?
April 8, 2025
So, who was Jesus? There are very few people now who would deny that Jesus was a real person who lived 2,000 years ago. One of the first mentions of Jesus and his followers other than the bible was written by Flavius Josephus, a non-Christian who wrote about the history of Judaism. He wrote “There was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works—a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.” There are many other historians that have written about Jesus, so I think most believe, including those who are not Christians, that Jesus was a real person.
The claims of Jesus can be grouped into 3 distinct categories. Where did Jesus come from, who he was and what was he sent here to do. So where did Jesus say he came from? Jesus was teaching in the temple and was talking with the Jewish religious leaders and said “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” John 8:23. Jesus talking with his disciples explained further “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” John 6:38. Jesus came from heaven, and is in heaven today, seated at the right hand of God. “But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” Luke 22:69.
There are just a few times in the bible where Jesus answers directly who he was. If he were to claim his deity to the religious leaders of the day, he would have been convicted of blasphemy and put to death before he completed his ministry. Early in his ministry, Jesus was traveling and met a Samarian woman at a well. “A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.)The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” “… The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” John 4:7-10,25-26. Jesus tells this woman that he is the Messiah, the one prophesied by the Jewish prophets who would come to save his people.
On another occasion, Jesus was talking with his disciples, and he asked them what others were saying about him. “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. Jesus confirms again that he is the Messiah.
There are over 300 prophesies in the Jewish bible that speak about the Messiah. Messiah comes from the Hebrew word that means “anointed one” or “chosen one”. The Jews of Jesus’ day were expecting the Messiah to overthrow the rule of the Romans and reestablish an earthly kingdom. While it is true that the Messiah was sent to free his people, it was not in the way the Jewish people thought. Jesus was sent to redeem his people from sin. Jesus speaking to his followers said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17. Jesus explains to his disciples that he must sacrifice his life, but that he would be raised on the third day. “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” Matthew 17:22-23.
The law that was given by God to Moses required the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus ushered in a new order whereby he would be the blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, for all who would repent and believe in him. As we approach Easter and the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and God declaring his sacrifice was sufficient, take the time to ask yourself the question; who do you believe Jesus is? A good teacher or the Lamb of God, the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. If you have questions or would like us to pray with you, please call or text 305-306-7842. Your friends at First Baptist Islamorada.
