Acts 1:1-3 NKJV The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Christ — Convincing Proof, It was all real!
The Promise of a Savior was fulfilled in the Man Jesus Christ.
For hundreds of years, the prophets of old foretold of One Who would come Who would redeem people from their sins. He would be a Savior, Healer, and would justify people so that they may be reconciled to God. At the right time, out of love God sent His Son into the world.
Jesus was really born of a virgin.
The story we have heard from childhood of a star, wisemen, shepherds and a host of heavenly angels really happened in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph had traveled to Bethlehem to pay their taxes, and when they arrived there was no room in the inn. As the record states, they spent the night in the stable and Mary gave birth to a son and they named Him Jesus. As the angels had proclaimed, Jesus, the Son of God really came down to earth and was born in a stable.
Eight days after His birth, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus up to Jerusalem to be circumcised according to the Law.
When they arrived, the Spirit of the Lord came upon two prophets (Simeon and Anna) who declared that this child was destined to bring great changes and redemption for all peoples, (Luke 2).
When he was 12 years old, his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover.
As they returned, Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. After 3 days he was found in the temple with the teachers of the law, listening and asking questions. He said He must be after His Father’s business. For several years nothing was recorded about His life.
At about 30 years of age, Jesus went down to the Jordan river to be baptized by John so that He might fulfill all righteousness, (Matthew 3:13-17).
John the Baptist gave testimony that the heavens really did open and he saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus in the form of a dove. As Jesus was coming out of the water, suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” From that moment forward the Holy Spirit rested upon Christ without measure.
After 40 days of fasting and being tempted by the devil, Jesus was strengthened by angels and started His public ministry, (Matthew 3:18-22).
He returned from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit, and ministered for the next three years and accomplished amazing things.
Just after He formally entered into public ministry, He was at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, (John 2:1-10).
His mother told the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” She knew something about His power and authority before anyone else. He really did turn water into wine. This was the first of many miracles that He did.
Within a short span of three years, Jesus became so popular that thousands of people followed Him and were healed, delivered from demons, and witnessed all kinds of miracles.
Two times the crowds of thousands of people had been following Him for days and were hungry. Jesus really did take a few small loaves of bread and a few small fish and blessed them and broke them into pieces and fed the multitudes. It may be hard to believe, but the left-over bread and fish was much more than what His disciples gave to the people. During those times when people came to Him in large multitudes, He healed all of their sick, (Matthew 4:24; 8:16; 12:15; 14:14; Mark 1:32; 3:10; Luke 4:40; 6:13; 7:21).
Some of the things He did defies the laws of nature.
He walked on water. He spoke to the wind and waves and they obeyed Him. He cursed a fig tree and it immediately died from the roots.
He healed all manner of sickness and disease.
A woman who was bent over and could not stand up straight had been suffering in that condition eighteen years. When Jesus saw her, He said, “Woman you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. (Luke 13:11-13) Lepers and the blind came to Him and Jesus spoke a word and they were healed and cleansed. He healed a man that was born blind at the Pool of Siloam. At the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus healed a man that was unable to walk for 38 years, (John 5:1-9). No sickness or disease was incurable or beyond His ability to heal. He really healed the lame, blind, deaf, paralyzed, fevered, and withered hand.
People who were incurably held captive by demon powers and were tormented were released at His simple command.
Jesus really did command the legion of demons to come out of the man in the country of the Gadarenes. As He went through every city and village preaching and bringing glad tidings of the kingdom, many were healed of evil spirits and infirmities. Seven demons came out of Mary called Magdalene and several other women became His disciples and followed Him.
Jesus offered convincing proof that He is the resurrection and the life on at least four different occasions
Two individuals came to Jesus when their child was sick unto death.
The Nobleman’s son in Capernaum was about to die. There was no hope of his survival without Jesus intervening, (John 4:46-54). The Nobleman wanted Jesus to come down, but the Lord spoke a word and said, “Your son lives.” The child was healed that very hour.
Jairus’ daughter was likewise at the point of death and Jesus laid His hands on her and her dead body arose at His command and touch, (Luke 8:41-42, 49-56).
The widow of Nain’s only son was being carried out of town to be buried, but Jesus stopped the procession, touched the coffin and said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” He who was dead sat up and began to speak.
Lazarus had been dead for four days. When Jesus arrived, He told Mary and Martha that He was the Resurrection and the Life. After speaking with them, Jesus went out to the place where Lazarus was laid. After they removed the stone from the tomb, Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth!” and he who had died came out of the tomb bound in grave clothes, (John 11:1-46).
It really happened.
The words of His sermons were filled with absolute certainty.
Although He never had formal education, He spoke as one who had authority and knew more about God and His word than the scholars in their seminaries. When He spoke, nature, angels, demons and people had to pay attention and obey. He spoke of the Father and His love as One who had been in God’s presence.
He knew things about heaven and eternity that others could not know.
He talked about His Father’s house and many mansions in such a way that we could know that heaven is real. He spoke about eternity and the events that will happen with convincing proof and certainty. He said things like, “Before Abraham was, I AM,” (John 8:58). Luke 10:18 He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
John 1:1-3 NKJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
At times Jesus would expound to them in all the Scriptures things concerning Himself, beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, ( Luke 24:27; John 5:46).
From the beginning of Christ’s ministry, He knew with certainty why He came and what He was going to accomplish.
He said, “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.” “The words that I speak are Spirit and they are life.” “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
- We have convincing proof that Jesus is our Righteousness.
- He is the only Advocate between God and man.
- He is our High Priest who intercedes to the Father for us.
- He really is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
- He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end; He really existed before Abraham and before the creation.
- He is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer.
- He is Emmanuel, God who is ever present with us.
- He is our Peace and He has reconciled us with God.
- He is the Ransom and Redeemer of our souls.
John 1:14 NKJV And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
There is convincing proof that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
In order to help His disciples understand Who He really was, Jesus took Peter, James and John upon a high mountain, (Matthew 17:1-5)
The events that happened during that excursion were beyond the disciples’ ability to fully comprehend. When they were alone with Him on the mountain, Jesus was transfigured before them. His face became radiant and shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. They “beheld His glory, the glory of as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth,” (John 1:14). A bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Mark 9:7)
There is convincing proof that Jesus is the Christ!
During the next few weeks we are going to follow Jesus as He travels down two roads. The first road led Him into Jerusalem with great triumph and celebration. The second road led to His sorrow, suffering and dead. On Easter Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection and the living Lord. Then we will see how He gives us new life. There is overwhelming evidence that gives convincing proof that Jesus is really the Christ. The events that are recorded in the Bible really happened.
During these weeks I want to invite you to read the Gospel accounts of what Jesus did.
There are so many miracles, healings, signs and wonders that testify with certainty that Jesus was sent by the Father in heaven. His purpose and ministry was not ended when He ascended back to the Father. He is still ministering to those who are wounded and bruised. He is continuing to bind up the broken hearted and release captives. He is still healing the sick and restoring lives. Those who come to Him and believe will receive life.
He is the Savior and Redeemer. You can find the forgiveness, peace and joy you need.
There is convincing proof it was all real!