In our continued exploration of who Jesus is according to the Bible, today we will focus on Jesus as the Messiah. The Old Testament contains many prophecies about the coming Messiah, and the New Testament reveals how Jesus fulfilled these prophecies.
Jesus is the Promised Messiah
The Old Testament points to a coming Messiah or “Anointed One” who would redeem God’s people. This Messianic hope developed over centuries through the prophets. Isaiah 11:1-5 prophesies that the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon the Messiah, giving him wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. Micah 5:2 predicts the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. Zechariah 9:9 foretells the Messiah will enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
The New Testament declares that Jesus fulfilled these and over 300 other messianic prophecies. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem (Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2). Though fully human, Jesus lived a sinless life empowered by the Spirit (John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15). He taught with authority, worked miracles, and fulfilled God’s law completely (Matthew 5-7; Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37).
Zechariah 9:9 was fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey amidst cries of “Hosanna!” (Matthew 21:1-11). Despite fulfilling the prophecies, Jesus was rejected by religious leaders and condemned to death. Yet this too was prophesied, showing how Jesus is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 who bears our sins so we can be healed.
Jesus is the Son of God
In addition to being the Messiah, the Bible also declares Jesus to be the Son of God. This title points to Jesus’ divine nature and unique relationship with the Father. At Jesus’ baptism, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Peter testified, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus frequently described God as his Father (John 10:30; 14:9).
The religious leaders understood Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God as blasphemy, citing their monotheistic belief in God (John 5:18). They viewed Jesus merely as a man. But Jesus demonstrated his deity through miracles, forgiving sins, receiving worship, and claiming authority to judge (Matthew 9:2-8; 14:33; 28:18). He identified himself with the great “I AM” statement of God (John 8:58).
After Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas called him “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) Paul taught that Jesus eternally exists as God yet willingly took on flesh (Philippians 2:5-8). The writer of Hebrews says Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s nature and upholds all things by his powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). Scripture clearly testifies that Jesus is fully God and fully man.
Jesus is Lord and Savior
The Bible culminates in the gospel message that salvation is found through Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord – the resurrected King before whom every knee will bow (Philippians 2:9-11). Those who confess “Jesus is Lord” will be saved (Romans 10:9). Salvation is found in no one else but Christ (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
As Savior, Jesus delivered humanity from sin and death through his atoning sacrifice on the cross. He died in our place, bearing our sins so that we could be forgiven (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus’ resurrection proved his victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 54-57). Those who repent and believe in Christ receive eternal life as God’s gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are saved and reconciled to God through faith in Jesus (Romans 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
Jesus accomplished salvation as the Messiah and Son of God. Our response is to worship him as Lord and Savior. Have you placed your faith in Jesus? He alone forgives our sins, changes our lives, and provides eternal life to all who believe.
Jesus is the Divine Word and Image of God
The Bible also describes Jesus as the Word and the Image of God. John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Verse 14 adds, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This indicates Jesus eternally existed as the Word, yet became human to reveal God to us.
Jesus communicates who God is. Hebrews 1:3 calls Jesus “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Just as our words express our thoughts, Jesus expresses the nature of God. Colossians 1:15 describes Jesus as “the image of the invisible God.” Jesus embodies and reveals God’s character and being.
Through Christ, we come to a fuller revelation of who God is. Jesus taught, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). While the Old Testament is inspired by God, Jesus is the perfect expression of God. As the Word made flesh, Jesus definitively reveals God and His plan of salvation.
Jesus is Head of the Church
After rising from the dead, Jesus commissioned his disciples to make more disciples from all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The book of Acts traces how the apostles carried the gospel across the Mediterranean world. Those who believed were baptized and added to the church.
The New Testament describes the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22-23). Believers are joined together by the Holy Spirit into this worldwide community over which Christ rules as Head. The letters instruct churches on how to live together and grow in maturity under Christ’s lordship.
Jesus promised his present rule and care over the church. He gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter (Matthew 16:19) and assigned him to feed and tend the flock (John 21:15-17). Paul urges believers to live in a manner worthy of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:10; Philippians 1:27). Jesus nourishes and protects the church as his beloved Bride (Ephesians 5:25-33).
Across centuries and cultures, the church continues Christ’s mission. Jesus remains present as the ruling, unifying Head of his diverse body.
Jesus is the Judge of All
The Bible also teaches that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. Shortly after his ascension, angels declared, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). The return of Christ is the hope and motivation of believers to live in readiness and holiness (Titus 2:11-14).
On the day of the Lord, Jesus will raise the dead, judge all people, and usher in the new heavens and new earth (John 5:28-29; Acts 17:31; 2 Peter 3:13). Believers will be resurrected to eternal life while unbelievers are condemned to eternal separation from God (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15). Judgment belongs to Jesus because he is the Son of Man (John 5:27).
The coming King will judge the world with justice and the peoples with equity (Psalm 98:9). There will be no more sin, suffering, crying or pain. Creation will be liberated and redeemed under Christ’s rule (Romans 8:18-25). As John declared, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
Jesus is Our Eternal High Priest
Jesus serves as our great High Priest who intercedes for us. Priests in the Old Testament represented the people before God and offered sacrifices for their sins. The perpetual sacrifices could not permanently cleanse guilt but pointed ahead to Christ’s final sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-4).
Unlike mortal priests, Jesus holds his priesthood eternally since he continues to live forever. His indestructible life qualifies him to be a permanent priest (Hebrews 7:16, 23-25). Jesus does not need to offer sacrifices day after day for his own sins first and then the peoples’. He sacrificed for sins once for all when he offered himself on the cross (Hebrews 7:27).
Now exalted to God’s right hand, Jesus lives to intercede for those who draw near to God through him. He sympathizes with our weaknesses since he was tempted but never sinned (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus’ ongoing priestly work means we can boldly approach God’s throne to “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Through his eternal intercession as our perfect High Priest, Jesus guarantees our salvation and enables us to grow in godliness.
Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of Our Faith
The book of Hebrews further describes Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith. Chapter 12 verse 2 says we should be “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Jesus pioneered the life of faith we are now called to – we look to his example of unwavering trust in the Father.
Jesus also perfects and completes our faith. The Greek word translated “perfecter” means to carry through completely, to succeed, finish, accomplish. The same root is used when Jesus declares on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Christ succeeded in accomplishing our salvation.
Through his obedient life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection, Jesus both authored and completed the life of faith. He blazed the trail of genuine human obedience to God’s will and finished the work of our salvation. Jesus is the model of faith we fix our eyes on to run the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Jesus is the founder who begins our faith and the perfecter who carries it through to completion. He sustains and matures those who trust in him to the very end.
Jesus is the Cornerstone of God’s Eternal Kingdom
Both the Old and New Testaments use architectural imagery to point to Jesus as the cornerstone of God’s kingdom. Isaiah 28:16 prophesies, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation.” This cornerstone would be rejected but become the foundation of God’s eternal kingdom.
The New Testament applies this prophecy directly to Jesus. Peter declares that while Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders, “He is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone” (Acts 4:11). Ephesians 2:20 likewise calls Jesus the “cornerstone” upon which the whole church is built.
1 Peter 2:6-7 applies Isaiah’s prophecy this way: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” Those who trust in Christ as their foundation will stand unshaken for eternity. But those who reject him will stumble and fall under God’s judgment.
The cornerstone determines the foundation, alignment, and integrity of the whole building. Jesus as the true cornerstone proves that God’s kingdom is established in truth, justice, and grace. All who build their lives on Jesus partake of God’s eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Jesus is the Living Bread from Heaven
Another key metaphor used for Jesus is the bread of life. When Jesus miraculously fed thousands, he urged them not to labor for bread that perishes but for eternal bread from heaven that brings eternal life (John 6:26-27). Jesus proclaimed, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger” (John 6:35). Just as bread sustains physical life, Jesus sustains those who trust in him.
At the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body given for you” (Luke 22:19). Jesus’ body would be broken on the cross so that through faith in him, the world could partake of living bread. All who eat this bread in faith participate in Jesus’ life and receive eternal satisfaction.
Jesus also declared he is the vine and we are the branches (John 15:5). Just as a branch must abide in the vine to bear fruit, we can only bear Kingdom fruit through abiding in vital union with Christ. Jesus as the living bread and true vine shows how we are dependent on him for both physical and spiritual life.
Jesus is the Light that Overcomes Darkness
A final important biblical metaphor for Jesus is light. Isaiah 9:2 prophesied about Galilee, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” Matthew 4:13-16 declares this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry.
In John 8:12, Jesus proclaimed, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Through his life, teaching, death and resurrection, Jesus overcomes the darkness of sin and unbelief. All who follow Christ reflect his light into the world.
The letters continue this theme of Jesus bringing light into darkness. Colossians 1:12-14 describes redemption through Jesus as bringing us “into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” It further declares, “He is the image of the invisible God…For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (1:15, 19).
Jesus enlightens those darkened by sin, death, and ignorance of God. As the radiance of God’s glory, the exact imprint of his nature, and the Word made flesh, Jesus fully reveals the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). All who trust in him are called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Conclusion
We have explored just some of the Bible’s stunning claims about who Jesus is. He fulfills the Old Testament prophecies as the promised Messiah and eternal High Priest. He is the divine Son of God, the exact representation of God in human flesh. Jesus accomplished our salvation as the suffering Savior and risen Lord. He now intercedes for us as our great High Priest and reigns as the head of the church.
Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith who nourishes our life like bread. He is the cornerstone of God’s eternal kingdom and the light that dispels all darkness. This article provides just a glimpse of biblical truth about Jesus. There are many more aspects to explore in God’s inspired Word.
The Bible clearly testifies that Jesus is exactly who he claimed to be. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He alone reveals the Father. Do you know and love Jesus according to the Scriptures? Keep exploring the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love revealed through the Bible. There is no greater journey than growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus!