There’s good historical evidence that Jesus lived on Earth over 2,000 years ago. Like some other ancient religious leaders, He still has millions of followers today, but unlike them, He’s still alive and we can personally know Him. He didn’t just leave instructions like the others. Jesus told us, “‘I am the way, the truth, and the life’…. ‘Without Me you can do nothing.’” John 14:6; 15:5, NKJV. That’s why we need Him!
According to the Bible, human beings are in a hopeless situation that we can’t escape by ourselves. Because of sin, we are like dying prisoners in an enemy camp. Jesus has come to save our lives and get us out. Luke 4:16-21. Of course, we have to cooperate and follow His instructions, but we cannot rescue ourselves.
What does Jesus do for us? He identifies with us and substitutes for us in very powerful ways. He is the Creator God, but He has taken on human nature as well so He can effectively help us. John 1:1-5, 9-18.
All of us have sinned and are therefore under a death sentence of complete annihilation. Rom. 3:23; Mal. 4:1-3. You and I have sinned in the 2020s, yet 2,000 years ago, Jesus knew about us and took our sentence on Himself. He died in our place, suffering the hopeless death that we deserve. He experienced the crushing weight of guilt and the wrath of God against sin at this final execution so that we wouldn’t have to. Isa. 53.
As well as dying for us, Jesus lived a perfect human life as our substitute. He gives it to us individually so that we can be judged as being faultless. Rom. 3:25-26. That life included suffering ridicule, ingratitude, and rejection from others, but without self-pity or retaliation.
Living a perfect life for us means Jesus endured a storm of temptation throughout His life. He had to detect and resist all the attractive temptations Satan tormented Him with. Heb. 2:18; 4:15-16. He understands being tempted and helps us with awareness and power to resist.
While we battle with our life today, Jesus is in heaven, but He’s fully alert to our need for help. He sometimes lets us wrestle with difficult circumstances to build our trust in God, but He also presents our sincere prayers to the Father. Along with them, He offers His perfect life and death for us. Heb. 7:25. Then the Father can answer in the best possible way for our encouragement and spiritual growth. Jesus also gives us understanding and instruction, either directly or through others, so we can make good choices. 2 Tim. 2:7.
When we weep, Jesus comforts us with His sympathy. He has wept too. John 11:35. When we’re happy, He rejoices with us; when we’re in pain, He empathizes. He has borne great pain Himself. He can also empathize with rejection, loneliness, cruel treatment, and abandonment. There’s nothing we can suffer that He did not suffer when He was on Earth. Isa. 63:9.
Jesus has promised to return to Earth in the future for those who have believed in Him and gladly accepted what He’s done for them. If they’re dead, He’ll resurrect them to eternal life in new bodies; if they’re alive, He’ll change them in an instant. 1 Thess. 4:16; 1 Cor. 15:51-52. Eternal life with Jesus will be beyond our brightest imagination. 1 Cor. 2:9. God promises to one day destroy sin, suffering, and death—forever. Rev. 21:1-4.
Jesus also works powerfully in us to prepare us for eternal life and to enable us to reach others for Him.
All verses quoted are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.
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