Let's try to get at an answer to that question by asking (and answering) a few more questions.
What kind of man could inspire people as diverse as the homeless and homemaker, priest and prostitute, CEO and factory worker alike, to worship Him?
How could government officials and religious leaders hate such a man although He never broke the law and worshipped God faithfully? Millions of different kinds of people, in every station in life, worship Jesus. Yet, when He lived in Israel some two thousand years ago, government officials feared Him and the religious leaders of His day hated Him. In desperation, they finally murdered Him.
More and more people worldwide are becoming followers of Christ. Why? What does He have to offer and what makes Him so special?
The answer: an authentic relationship. Each one of us longs for a pure, true friendship that is bigger than ourselves, one that will last forever, and make life worth living. Such a relationship is not available through religion, a government program or profit-sharing plan. That is why the powerful people of Jesus’ day were so nervous about Him. He offered the people something they could not get anywhere else in the world.
Jesus was able and is still able to offer an authentic, loving relationship to you and me because He was and is no ordinary man. Jesus is God’s unique son. God sent Him to earth as a man so that He could restore our relationship to Him.
Look at the world we live in. It is a mess. Jesus came to change that, to give us direct access to the Creator of the universe. When the leaders of His day crucified Him, He bore the shame and corruption of the whole world just so we could reconnect with God. He proved He really is God’s son when He rose from the dead three days later. No other man, woman, prophet or priest can make that claim, only Jesus.
Jesus now functions as an advocate before God for His followers. He wants to do that for you, too. You can talk directly to God through Jesus, and Jesus guarantees that God will listen.
In addition, God sends His Spirit to live in you. Through this Spirit, God talks to you, changes you and gives you hope and peace. He is always with you. It is the relationship that we all long for. It is available to us through Jesus. He will never leave us.
If you do not have an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, why not establish one today?
You can pray to Him right now. You do not need any special religious training—just talk to Him like you would a friend. Tell Jesus that you believe He is God’s unique son who came to save the world and reconnect us to God. Ask Him to do that for you and to send His Spirit to live in you so you can begin the greatest relationship you will ever experience.
