Who is Jesus?
Jesus is the King who God himself had promised to send, who would put everything right in this broken world. He’s a real figure in human history but he’s also the Son of God. This means he is God himself, coming to our world as a real man.
Jesus healed people, he calmed storms, he raised the dead and in doing these things he proved that he is God. But King Jesus was also giving a glimpse of life in his kingdom. A perfect place, with no suffering, sickness or death. A place of justice and goodness that lasts forever. It’s the world we all long for.
Why did He come?
As a reject
Many people rejected Jesus. They thought it’d be better to make their own rules and to live in charge of their own little kingdom. This rejection of King Jesus is something we all do. The Bible calls it sin. Sin ruins all of our lives and will eventually leave us separated from the happiness of being in Jesus’ kingdom. Because God won’t let those who reject the King live with him, we face an existence without anything good, forever. Jesus called this place hell.
As a sacrifice
People rejected the King so strongly that they killed him by nailing him to a Roman cross. But his death wasn't a mistake by God – it was all planned that way. On the cross, Jesus was himself cut off from God’s closeness and goodness. He actually chose to experience hell – so that we don’t have to. The King died to take the punishment that sin deserves, even though he was himself sin-less. In doing this mighty act Jesus was opening the way into his kingdom.
As a conqueror
Three days after he was killed, the tomb where he was buried was found to be empty. A remarkable miracle had occurred. Over the next few weeks many ate with Jesus and talked with him. Hundreds witnessed him as alive and well. Jesus the King could not be contained by death. He had defeated the greatest of enemies. He had risen!
What about me?
Today, right now, Jesus is still inviting people to enter into his kingdom. For that to happen he tells us that we need to repent and believe the good news.
Repent means to turn from our sin, from living our own way and to live with Jesus in charge. Believe means to trust that Jesus has done everything necessary to give us a place in his kingdom.
Living with Jesus as King is not an easy path. His followers will be rejected, just like he was. However they are given the assurance of a life of deep satisfaction, a life of deep joy, a life of knowing God and knowing forgiveness. A life empowered by the Holy Spirit, a life looking forward to the return of the King, when he will finally establish his glorious kingdom forever. Jesus offers all this and more to anyone and everyone who simply repents and believes.