Most people today have heard of the name of Jesus. But who is he really? How can he make a difference in your life?
In the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the eternal Son of God uniquely entered human history and became a real human being, fully God and fully human. He is truly the Word of God (John 1:1-3) — that is, the perfect and culminating expression of God’s mind and heart, of God’s will and character — present in the intimate fellowship of the Holy Trinity from eternity and fully engaged with the Father in the work of creation and redemption.
Jesus Christ is God’s only mediator between God and humankind and God’s unique agent for the salvation of the world, accomplished through the death of Jesus on the cross.
In his death Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for sins —“the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
Scripture also describes the death of Jesus as a ransom or redemption from slavery (Mark 10:45); payment of a debt; a shepherd’s life given for his sheep; vicarious satisfaction of a legal penalty; victory over the powers of evil; a sacrificial substitution (Christ’s death for our death); an actual event through which a way is opened for human beings to be reconciled with a holy God; a way in which sins are covered, forgiven, and removed.
The death of Jesus is the historic event through which God has given us “the forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteous- ness and salvation out of sheer grace solely for the sake of Christ’s saving work.” (Heidelberg, 4.021)
On the sole basis of the finished work of Christ on the cross, sinners who confess Jesus as Lord are reconciled to a holy God and are participants in the resurrection of Christ.
We have been set free to live for God in holiness and joy.
Jesus is the perfect expression of what humanity was designed to be. Jesus is the supreme authority over every human authority, over the church, and over our individual moral choices. As Jesus said and we confirm: “I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
The risen Lord Jesus Christ has been exalted to the place of honor beside God the Father. Jesus Christ the eternal Son, now Lord of heaven and earth, now advocating and interceding on behalf of the church.
As we eagerly and prayerfully anticipate that “he will come again to judge the living and the dead,” and to establish God’s righteous kingdom in fullness and perfection, we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
Do you want to make Jesus the center of your life? You can become a follower of Jesus today!
First, admit that you need Jesus in your life. Second, believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Third, commit to following Jesus. When we make this commitment, the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts by faith.
You can do this with a simple prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me. I admit that I’ve gone my own way, trying to control my own life. I need you. Jesus, I believe you died for my sin and rose again. Forgive me and make me your child. I commit my life to you and ask you to come into my heart. Holy Spirit, strengthen me and gift me so that I might become a fully devoted follower of Jesus. Amen.
If you have offered this prayer honestly to God, then you have just begun an amazing journey and are a part of God’s eternal Kingdom! You have been born again! Jesus assures us: “Whoever hears my word and believes in me has eternal life; they have crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).
If you have made this decision to follow Jesus, we’d love to hear from you and rejoice with you! You can contact any of our pastors and they would love to follow up with you.
Pastor Mike McClenahan, 858-509-2580 x1221, mike@solanapres.org
Pastor Juan-Daniel Espitia, 858-509-2580 x1230, juandaniel@solanapres.org
Pastor Jamie Nelson, 858-509-2580 x1451, jamie@solanapres.org
Candice Richey Womack, 858-509-2580 x1211, candice@solanapres.org
