Lesson Two
THREE THINGS YOU MUST BELIEVE

Chapter 2: Jesus Christ

You have seen now how hopeless and tragic is mankind's condition because of sin. We are utterly helpless to save ourselves from our sinful condition and from the results of our sinfulness.

But the Bible says, "The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). What does this mean? It means that God provided a way out of mankind's helpless and hopeless condition, not because you and I have done anything to deserve it, but because God is love. His love is such that our human intellect or reason cannot comprehend it. Because of this love, God provided a way for mankind—through the greatest sacrifice of love in the world. "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE" (John 3:16). Here, in God's love, we meet Jesus Christ, "His one and only Son."

Jesus Christ is not the founder of a religion. He is not merely a great moral reformer or an outstanding philosopher. He is not a great man like other great men in history. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is Himself God.

Let us go back to the Bible where we find the final answer:
"Through him (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3).
"I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!" (Revelation 1:17, 18).
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
"By him (Christ) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM and for him" (Colossians 1:16).
"I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24). Finally, Jesus said this about Himself: "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30).

Please do not go any further until you have absorbed the truth in these verses. Read them again and meditate prayerfully on the deep meanings of these Bible passages about Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35), approximately 2,000 years ago, in a small town called Bethlehem in the country of Israel. From the time He was old enough to work until He was 30 years old, He worked as a carpenter. Then for the next three-and-one-half years He traveled throughout Israel teaching people how they could enter the "kingdom of God" and be saved.

He performed many miracles, including healing the sick and even raising dead people. His teaching was "new," powerful and with authority. (Read the entire 5th chapter of Matthew.) He healed the sick, comforted the bereaved, ate with social outcasts, helped the weak, gave hope to the discouraged and hopeless—and forgave the sins of people.

Now open your Bible to the New Testament and read the following passages:
(1) Matthew 8:2-4, 23-27; 9:1-8;
(2) Mark 5:35-43; 10:46-52;
(3) Luke 13:10-17; 15:3-7;
(4) John 8:1-11; 9:1-12; 11:1-44.

Read each passage carefully and prayerfully, asking God to help you understand their meaning.

After the three-and-one-half years of teaching and serving the people, Jesus was executed on a cross. Why? Because that was why He came to this world. The price for all the sins of mankind, including yours and mine, had to be paid. His death was the only way to save the human race.

Because of His love for us, God wanted to save us from the penalty of sin, which was death. Jesus had to die—there was no other way. Jesus paid the price of sin by giving His own life as a sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26). He, the sinless One, died in our place so that our sins could be forgiven. But that is not the end. On the third day after His death, Jesus rose from the dead.
His resurrection (rising from the dead) is clearly recorded in: Matthew 28:1-6;
Mark 16:1-6;
Luke 24:1-6;
John 21:1-10, 24-29.