The Life and Teachings of Jesus

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

According to Google Trends, the most-asked question in search engine requests about Jesus is "What did Jesus do?" This question has been asked millions of times in recent years, reflecting many people's curiosity about the life and teachings of Jesus.

Other popular questions about Jesus include:

• Who was Jesus?
• What did Jesus say about Love?
• What did Jesus say about forgiveness?
• What did Jesus say about suffering?
• What did Jesus say about death?
• What did Jesus say about the afterlife?

These questions reflect the deep spiritual and philosophical significance of Jesus' life and teachings. They also reflect the continuing relevance of Jesus' message to people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Here are some additional statistics about search engine requests about Jesus:

• The peak search volume for questions about Jesus is during the Easter season.
• The most common countries where people search for information about Jesus are the United States, India, and Brazil.
• English, Hindi, and Portuguese are the most common languages used in search engine queries about Jesus.

These statistics suggest that Jesus is a global interest figure and that people constantly seek to learn more about him.

The person and teachings of Jesus Christ have been the subject of theological reflection, scholarly investigation, and devotional focus for two millennia. This post explores key aspects of Jesus' identity and teachings from an evangelical perspective, relying on the King James Version of the Bible as the authoritative text. Specifically, we will examine who Jesus was, what he did, and what he taught about Love, forgiveness, suffering, death, and the afterlife.

Who Was Jesus?

From an evangelical standpoint, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, who took on human flesh to accomplish the work of redemption. The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This "Word" became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). Jesus is both fully God and fully man, a doctrine known as the hypostatic union. He was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23), lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), and claimed to be the only way to God (John 14:6).

A 2-minute video answering the question, who was Jesus?

What Did Jesus Do?

Jesus' earthly ministry was multifaceted, including teaching, healing, and performing miracles. However, the crux of his mission was to offer himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Jesus' death on the cross was the atonement for sin, satisfying the justice of God. As it is written, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). His resurrection from the dead validated his claims and accomplished the victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

What Did Jesus Say About Love?

Jesus' teachings on Love were revolutionary. He summarized the entire Law by two commandments: to love God and to love one's neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). He extended the concept of neighbor to include even one's enemies, saying, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Love, in the teachings of Jesus, is not merely an emotion but an action, a commitment to the well-being of others.

What Did Jesus Say About Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is another cornerstone of Jesus' teachings. He taught his disciples to forgive others unconditionally, as God forgives us. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus instructs, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). He further emphasized the importance of forgiveness in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35), teaching that God's forgiveness of our sins is the basis for our forgiveness of others.

What Did Jesus Say About Suffering?

Jesus did not shy away from the topic of suffering; instead, he presented it as an inevitable part of human existence and discipleship. He said, "In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Jesus himself suffered immensely, culminating in his crucifixion, thereby sanctifying suffering as a means through which believers can participate in his redemptive work (Philippians 3:10).

What Did Jesus Say About Death?

Jesus spoke of death not as an end but as a transition. He said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). His own resurrection guarantees eternal life for those who believe in him.

What Did Jesus Say About the Afterlife?

Jesus spoke clearly about the reality of an afterlife, describing heaven and hell as literal places. He promised eternal life to those who believe in him, saying, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). Conversely, he warned about the reality of eternal separation from God, often using parables like that of the rich man and Lazarus to illustrate the point (Luke 16:19-31).

According to the Bible, Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to redeem humanity. His teachings on Love, forgiveness, suffering, death, and the afterlife are not just moral guidelines but transformative truths rooted in the reality of his person and work. Understanding Jesus' teachings within the framework of his divine identity and redemptive mission provides a coherent and compelling vision of Christian faith and practice.

Do you have questions? Please contact me at Divinity Journal