Who is this Jesus? (Open Forum)
Tim Keller | May 1, 1994
Overview
What we’re going to do is look at the question–who is Jesus Christ?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is both intellectually credible and existentially satisfying. I’ve come to see over the years that those are the two tests of any valid worldview, philosophy or religion. It has to be both rational, coherent, and it has to be true. It has to meet my needs. It has to connect with my experience.
Don’t come to Christianity because it’s relevant–though, it certainly is. Don’t come to Christianity because it’s exciting–though, absolutely, it is. Don’t come to Christianity because it’ll meet your needs–though, it certainly will. Come because it’s true. And because it’s true, it’ll meet your needs, it’s exciting, and it’s relevant.
Outline
John 9; Luke 1:1–3; 1 Corinthians
This talk is about the big question of who Jesus Christ really is, and why it’s so important for us to understand the real truth of Christianity. It cautions us not to rely just on personal feelings or beliefs, because that can lead us astray, like a placebo pill that tricks you into feeling better. It’s important to look at the proof – like the fact that Jesus accepted worship and claimed to be God – and really think about what that means, rather than just brushing it aside. We’ll consider five different views of who Jesus might be, and why it’s so crucial to weigh the evidence and make an informed choice.
2. As he went about with his message, the people who heard him speak saw him do things that looked like miracles
Jesus did amazing things that seemed like miracles, like feeding thousands of people with just a little bread and fish, and walking on water. His followers, and even the Jews of his time who were taught only to worship God and not to even say His name, believed that Jesus was divine. This belief, even though they knew Jesus personally and could have seen any human flaws, sets Jesus apart from others who claimed to be divine but didn’t leave a lasting impact.
4. After he died, dozens and hundreds of people confessed and attested that they saw him risen
After Jesus died, many people – including all the apostles and over 500 others – said they saw him alive again. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians underlines this important point. The fact that so many people saw Jesus alive after his death and said so provides strong evidence for the resurrection.
5. The experience of that changed those men and women’s lives so much that they went out into the world and they died to spread the news
The spread of Christianity and the change in its followers’ lives comes from the truth of the New Testament, which was written by careful investigators and people who actually saw what happened. The disciples were so convinced that they were willing to die for their beliefs. This shows that something very important happened that sparked the early Christian movement. The unique qualities and impact of Jesus’s life and teachings make it hard to see him as just a legend or a good man. It suggests that other theories about Jesus are less compelling than the view that he is the Son of God.
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