Who’s the most important person in Christian history? It’s not a trick question.
Jesus might be the most globally known figure, but that doesn’t mean He’s globally understood. One article can’t contain everything there is to know about Jesus, but we can give you a quick overview of how we see Jesus live, speak, and act throughout the gospels.
You and Jesus
People have all kinds of opinions, beliefs, and personal experiences connected to Jesus. I grew up in church, prayed a prayer to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior in middle school, lost my faith in college, and then rediscovered faith again. So I’ve been on a journey, and I’ve had a wide range of complicated thoughts and beliefs about who Jesus is.
Regardless of the role Jesus has played in your life, I want my cards on the table. I want to show you what the gospels say about Jesus, and I’d also like you to consider how Jesus’ life and story might change your life, too.
6 Common Questions About Jesus
1. Who Was Jesus?
Jesus was a first-century Jewish teacher and rabbi. Christians believe He’s fully God and fully human, sent to rescue humanity from sin and restore our relationship with God.
2. Where Is Jesus’ Story in the Bible?
Jesus’ story is told throughout the New Testament, with the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) providing detailed accounts of His life, death, and resurrection.
3. When Did Jesus Live?
Jesus lived in the first century AD, during the height of the Roman Empire. He was born in Palestine and lived in the regions of Galilee and Judea, under Roman occupation.
4. What Is Jesus Known For?
Jesus is known for His miraculous virgin birth, His powerful teachings about God’s kingdom, His healing miracles, His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead.
5. Why Is He Called Jesus Christ?
“Christ” is a title, not a last name. Christ means savior, and the New Testament authors see Jesus as the promised savior of the world. That’s why they call Him Jesus Christ.
6. Was Jesus Real or Just a Christian Invention?
Most scholars agree that, yes, Jesus was a real historical figure. While Jesus’ identity as God’s Son is disputed by many, just about every Christian and non-Christian source believes He was a real person in history.
A Short Summary of Jesus’ Life
Here’s a brief outline of what the Bible tells us about Jesus’ life and ministry.
- Jesus first appears in Matthew 1 and Luke 1 at His birth in Bethlehem, the event Christians celebrate at Christmas.
- He grows up in Nazareth, an ordinary small town.
- Around age 30, He begins His public ministry after being baptized in the Jordan River.
- He travels from village to village, teaching, healing, and welcoming people who feel ignored or weighed down.
- His message inspires hope for some, but fear in others, because it threatens the political and religious leaders of His day.
- He is eventually arrested and executed on a cross in Jerusalem.
- He rises from the dead three days later, launching the Christian movement that continues to this day.
When Did Jesus’ Story Happen in the Bible?
Jesus’ story happens after these Bible stories:
- The creation of the world and the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis
- Moses leading God’s people out of Egypt
- David defeating Goliath and becoming king
- Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets telling of a coming Messiah
Jesus’ story happens before these Bible stories:
- The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
- Paul’s missionary journeys and the rise of the early church
- John’s vision of the end of the age in Revelation
What Did Jesus Do in the Bible?
If you read the stories about Jesus, you’ll notice people call Him all kinds of things: teacher, rabbi, prophet, Messiah, Son of God, savior. Like you, they wanted to know—who is Jesus?
It’s almost like everyone saw a different side of Him, and somehow they were all at least a little bit right.
Jesus taught crowds on hillsides, made friends with outcasts, performed odd miracles, challenged powerful people, and told confusing stories.
Basically, Jesus wasn’t just one thing, and He didn’t easily fit into the definitions many tried to place on Him.
So what were the key ingredients of Jesus’ life? And how do they show us what Jesus is like?
When you look at what Jesus said, how He loved, and who He welcomed, you start to get a picture of what God is really like.
These questions really matter because, as far as the gospel authors are concerned, Jesus was the embodiment of God—fully God and fully man. When you look at what Jesus said, how He loved, and who He welcomed, you start to get a picture of what God is really like.
Jesus Was a Moral Teacher
Most people, both Christians and non-Christians, agree that Jesus was a great moral teacher. And we see the evidence of His impact in some of His most quoted words.
- “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
- “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
- “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
Just about everyone can agree that these are good ideas that would make any community better.
Jesus cared about more than just our beliefs or theology. He also cared about how we live, speak, think, and act toward others. Jesus’ teachings were overwhelmingly local and practical. In other words, Jesus invited His listeners to consider how God’s love, kindness, and forgiveness might inform their lives today.
Here are some of the key features of Jesus’ message.
Key Themes of Jesus’ Teaching
- Love is the center of everything. He taught people to love God, love their neighbors, and even love their enemies.
- Everyone is invited into God’s family. His message was radically inclusive, welcoming outsiders, “sinners,” the poor, and the overlooked.
- God’s kingdom is upside down. According to Jesus, the first (those with wealth, power, and influence) become last, the humble are honored, and the overlooked are lifted up.
- Forgiveness is always possible. Jesus taught that God’s grace for us ought to flow into our relationships with others, making us quick to forgive.
- Following God requires courage. His teaching confronted injustice and hypocrisy, even when it put His life at risk.
Jesus Broke Social and Religious Barriers
Jesus made a habit of offending a certain group of people: those who thought they were better than others because of their rule following, social class, gender, bank account, job title, ethnicity, or social network.
Jesus invited all kinds of different people to sit, eat, and speak with Him, breaking every cultural rule of the time. He told stories that made outcasts the heroes, and the religious elite the villains.
Why?
Because Jesus was convinced that everyone had worth and value, contrary to the beliefs of the leaders around Him. The system had been failing many people, but God still loved them—so Jesus simply refused to play by the rules of the system.
He spent time with unexpected kinds of people. People of different faiths, moral pariahs, and outcasts labeled as “sinners” found God’s love through Jesus. They hadn’t experienced God’s love through the religious leaders who claimed to know God best, so Jesus shared that love Himself.
Jesus spoke of God’s kingdom not as an exclusive club, but as a family where everyone was welcome.
Jesus Was a Miracle Worker
The gospels describe Jesus doing things people couldn’t explain. You might group them this way:
- Multiplying resources: Jesus fed thousands with one small lunch on multiple occasions.
- Insight: Jesus knew people’s thoughts or questions before they spoke.
- Healing: Jesus restored people from physical sickness.
- Driving out evil spirits: Jesus demonstrated authority over spiritual forces.
Yes, these are weird stories to read, especially for modern Western readers.
The main point of these stories is to show that Jesus didn’t just speak about God’s kingdom; He demonstrated its power.
Jesus Was Fully Human, Too
It’s easy to picture Jesus as perfect and endlessly confident, but the gospels tell another story.
Jesus’ human experience included struggle, grief, and pain.
Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, exhaustion, fatigue, and grief. He also faced temptation, rejection, and betrayal by close friends. In other words, Jesus’ human experience included struggle, grief, and pain.
Jesus Told Parables
Jesus loved teaching through simple stories. He talked about seeds, neighbors, lost coins—everyday stuff. But His parables always carried a deeper invitation. They helped people see themselves honestly, rethink what they believed, and imagine life with God in a whole new way.
If you want to explore these stories in depth, check out the Finds Ultimate Parable Guide, a simple way to understand what Jesus’ parables meant then and what they mean for your life today.
Jesus Died and Rose Again
Jesus’ healing and teaching eventually put Him at odds with both religious leaders and Roman authorities. He knew where His path was heading, and He didn’t turn away. He chose love, even when it cost Him His life.
He was crucified on a Roman cross and died.
Christians believe that three days later, God raised Him from the dead. The earliest Christians didn’t build their faith on a metaphor. They believed they had met the risen Jesus, and that belief changed everything.
7 Famous Stories About Jesus
- Jesus’ Birth (Luke 2:1-20): Born in Bethlehem to the virgin Mary, Jesus’ birth was announced by angels to shepherds in nearby fields. This humble beginning fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. You can read more about Jesus’ birth here.
- Jesus Calls His First Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22): Walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls fishermen Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him.
- The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7): Jesus delivers His most famous teaching, offering a vision of life with God that blesses the humble, challenges the proud, and reframes faith around love, mercy, and integrity.
- Jesus Feeds the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21): With just five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus feeds a massive crowd in a remote place. This miracle shows His power over creation and His care for people’s daily needs.
- Jesus Walks on Water (Matthew 14:22-33): In the middle of a terrifying storm, Jesus walks across the Sea of Galilee to reach His frightened disciples struggling in a boat. Peter attempts to walk to Jesus on the water.
- Jesus’ Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9): On a mountain, Jesus’ appearance is transformed, revealing His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah appear, confirming Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
- Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (Matthew 27-28): Jesus is betrayed by His friends, tried, and crucified—but three days later, He rises from the dead. His resurrection proves His victory over sin and death and validates everything He claimed about Himself.
Why Jesus’ Story Still Matters
Jesus Christ came to show us who God really is and what God is really like.
Jesus Christ came to show us who God really is and what God is really like. He shows us that God is compassionate, kind, and cares for the people who tend to get ignored.
Jesus also shows us that God doesn’t leave us to suffer alone; He’s willing to step into our mess and suffer alongside us.
And the heart of the Christian story is that Jesus, who is both God and human, died, but didn’t stay dead. Three days later, He rose again, inviting us to new life in Him.
How to Get to Know Jesus
If you’re curious about Jesus, a great place to start is simply by reading the accounts of Jesus’ life found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and asking, “How does Jesus live and love?”
You can also try praying something as honest as, “Jesus, help me see You more clearly.”
And if you feel ready (or even ready-ish), you can commit to following Jesus for yourself. Here’s a simple prayer you can make your own:
Jesus, I want to know You. I believe You gave Your life for me, and I’m giving You my life today. Please forgive my sins, fill me with Your Spirit, and lead me into the life You created me for. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you prayed that prayer, we’re celebrating with you! And we don’t want you to walk this journey alone.
Who Is Jesus to You?
Is Jesus a myth, a historical figure, a moral teacher, a mascot, an example, a savior, a friend, or something else? You have to decide for yourself.
If you want to learn more about Jesus, a great next step is to read the Bible Plan How to Find Jesus for Yourself, a simple guide to help you get to know Him in real, everyday ways.
Reflect or Discuss
- Where in your life do you need the kind of hope Jesus offers?
- How has God shown you love in unexpected ways, as Jesus did for so many people?
- What part of Jesus’ story reminds you that God is at work in your own life right now?