"I
know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him
and every other person in the world there is no possible term of
comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires.
But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus
Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men
would die for Him." - Napoleon Bonaparte
Perhaps no other person in the annals of history has inspired so much contention and too many deliberations as Jesus Christ. His true identity alone - whether a real God or a mere human - has been the subject of heated debates among Christians and non-Christians alike. His life and works single-handedly revised the Holy Bible and inspired the creation of a new one called the New Testament. He practically re-wrote history. He changed the course of man's destiny. And he transformed numerous souls by for founding one of the most enduring faiths in the planet - Christianity. What was so astounding was behind these great, almost impossible accomplishments was a Man who lived in abject poverty, known for His sheer simplicity as well as legendary feat and faith.
But Jesus Christ was no myth. More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in a lowly manger in Bethlehem, wrote off as a peasant while growing up and worked as a humble carpenter before his calling turned him to one of the staunchest, most popular spiritual leaders in the entire world. All these mighty achievements must have prompted Napoleon Bonaparte to conclude, perhaps in jest, that he is "no mere man." Indeed no other human on earth has done what he did.
Jesus Christ's counterparts created mighty empires - the kingdom of men. Jesus created an empire for God. The other empires faded. Jesus lasts and continues to grow even to this day. Truly, no human could have done this on his own. To be able to conquer the world and establish a lasting kingdom, there has to be Divine Intervention involved. And this is the secret to Jesus' success. This is the reason why he succeeded in an area where so many leaders failed - He has the blessings and support of the Supreme Being, of God. As a matter of fact, Jesus himself is a God. Jesus is God the Son incarnate. Catholics believe that Jesus forms part of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Early Life
Jesus Christ was born around 7-2BC to 30-36AD in Bethlehem to Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. Little was known about Jesus' early life. As a matter of fact, much of what is known about Jesus comes from the New Testament. He was from Galilee, Nazareth. He was born in Bethlehem because his parents traveled to Bethlehem to comply with the requirements of the Roman census.
According to the Scriptures, particularly Matthew and Luke, Jesus was the Son of God. Mary was a virgin when she conceived him hence the term "Immaculate Conception" was coined. Mary was betrothed to Joseph when angel Gabriel appeared to her in the Annunciation to announce that she was chosen to be the Mother of God. Considering the customs of the times, Mary was probably betrothed at age 12 and gave birth at age 13.
There was not much account about Jesus' early life except for a brief mention in Luke that the young Jesus was learned and wise for his age. Luke 2 narrated how Jesus was lost in the temple and his parents found him teaching the men there. The Finding in the Temple was the only time that the gospel made mention of Jesus as a child.
Baptism and Temptations
Before he started preaching, he made his next public appearance in a baptism rite by his cousin, St. John the Baptist. It was reported that the heavens opened up and a voice declared that Jesus was the son of God "in whom I am well pleased" during his baptism. Upon witnessing this, John the Baptist, was prompted to say "Behold! The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world."
After baptism, the gospels talked of the Temptation of Jesus. Jesus went to the desert to fast for forty days. Satan appeared to him and tried to tempt him in all sort of ways. But Jesus brushed him aside and did not fall for his wiles. When forty days was over, the angels came down to assist him. Shortly after, he started his work as a preacher and healer.
Ministries
Jesus' ministry was short, probably less than a year when he was between 29 and 33 years old. Luke 3:23 states that he started his ministry "about 30 years of age." But his controversial preaching and equally controversial miraculous healings attracted a lot of public attention. This caught the ire of public figures particularly the priests in the synagogues who were threatened by his growing popularity.
Among his major ministerial accomplishments include the Sermon of the Mount. This is considered as one of the most important discourses made by Jesus. This contains the longest piece of Jesus' teaching. It includes the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer which are central themes to Christian's beliefs. Jesus' Walking on Water and Feeding of 5000 were some of the most memorable miracles. Of course, numerous accounts of the healing of deafs, blinds and paralyzed people were contained in the Bible. He also has the power to bring the dead back to life such as what happened to his friend, Lazarus.
In his Final Ministry in Jerusalem, in the Passion Week, Jesus made the Olivet Discourse, which Jesus gave prophetic discourse on the end of times and the sufferings to be endured by those who would follow him. The culmination of Jesus' ministry in the Last Supper which occurred before he was captured and put to death by Crucifixion was one of the most well-known part of the bible.
As a teacher and a human being, Jesus embodied numerous traits worth emulating. He was a major proponent of forgiveness. In Matthew 18:22, he proposed forgiving seventy times seven times. Of course, Jesus is the perfect embodiment of the Christian triptych of theological virtues: faith, hope and love. His immense faith allowed him to perform numerous miracles. His hope in the innate goodness of his fellowmen allowed him to continue believing in goodness winning out in the end despite evidences pointing to the contrary. And finally, love. His life was a living testament of loving others as much as you love yourself. His performance of healings and countless miracles was born out of deep love for his fellowmen. He preached incessantly on the need to love God more than others and yourself. Love is the defining characteristic of Jesus' preachings and works. It is the force the propelled him to greatness. And yes, he did everything out of love.
Perhaps the most telling line of love in the Bible was in John 15:13 "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay his life down for his friend." Such was the kind of love of Jesus has for his fellowmen. He sacrificed his life for the atonement of man's sins. This is the ultimate form of selflessness and love. This is the kind of love that Jesus espoused again and again in his ministry.
Propagation of Christianity
His disciples continued his works and teachings. They convinced others to believe in Jesus too. Consequently, a new religion based on Jesus Christ's teachings came about, the Christianity. The disciples of Christs were the first Christians. Despite animosity and countless persecutions of its early members, Christianity flourished and prevailed over naysayers. Today, more than a third of the world's population (approximately more than 2 billion people) belong to the Christian faith.
Such was the life of a great man, Jesus Christ, whose life and works was a living testament of faith in God and unconditional love of fellowmen. Jesus Christ was and is the embodiment of true greatness - a greatness that stems from the soul. He did not establish his kingdom based on force but on faith and love. As the empires of men faded away, billions hold Jesus in devotion. And because of this, the Christian faith endures.
Perhaps no other person in the annals of history has inspired so much contention and too many deliberations as Jesus Christ. His true identity alone - whether a real God or a mere human - has been the subject of heated debates among Christians and non-Christians alike. His life and works single-handedly revised the Holy Bible and inspired the creation of a new one called the New Testament. He practically re-wrote history. He changed the course of man's destiny. And he transformed numerous souls by for founding one of the most enduring faiths in the planet - Christianity. What was so astounding was behind these great, almost impossible accomplishments was a Man who lived in abject poverty, known for His sheer simplicity as well as legendary feat and faith.
But Jesus Christ was no myth. More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in a lowly manger in Bethlehem, wrote off as a peasant while growing up and worked as a humble carpenter before his calling turned him to one of the staunchest, most popular spiritual leaders in the entire world. All these mighty achievements must have prompted Napoleon Bonaparte to conclude, perhaps in jest, that he is "no mere man." Indeed no other human on earth has done what he did.
Jesus Christ's counterparts created mighty empires - the kingdom of men. Jesus created an empire for God. The other empires faded. Jesus lasts and continues to grow even to this day. Truly, no human could have done this on his own. To be able to conquer the world and establish a lasting kingdom, there has to be Divine Intervention involved. And this is the secret to Jesus' success. This is the reason why he succeeded in an area where so many leaders failed - He has the blessings and support of the Supreme Being, of God. As a matter of fact, Jesus himself is a God. Jesus is God the Son incarnate. Catholics believe that Jesus forms part of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Early Life
Jesus Christ was born around 7-2BC to 30-36AD in Bethlehem to Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. Little was known about Jesus' early life. As a matter of fact, much of what is known about Jesus comes from the New Testament. He was from Galilee, Nazareth. He was born in Bethlehem because his parents traveled to Bethlehem to comply with the requirements of the Roman census.
According to the Scriptures, particularly Matthew and Luke, Jesus was the Son of God. Mary was a virgin when she conceived him hence the term "Immaculate Conception" was coined. Mary was betrothed to Joseph when angel Gabriel appeared to her in the Annunciation to announce that she was chosen to be the Mother of God. Considering the customs of the times, Mary was probably betrothed at age 12 and gave birth at age 13.
There was not much account about Jesus' early life except for a brief mention in Luke that the young Jesus was learned and wise for his age. Luke 2 narrated how Jesus was lost in the temple and his parents found him teaching the men there. The Finding in the Temple was the only time that the gospel made mention of Jesus as a child.
Baptism and Temptations
Before he started preaching, he made his next public appearance in a baptism rite by his cousin, St. John the Baptist. It was reported that the heavens opened up and a voice declared that Jesus was the son of God "in whom I am well pleased" during his baptism. Upon witnessing this, John the Baptist, was prompted to say "Behold! The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world."
After baptism, the gospels talked of the Temptation of Jesus. Jesus went to the desert to fast for forty days. Satan appeared to him and tried to tempt him in all sort of ways. But Jesus brushed him aside and did not fall for his wiles. When forty days was over, the angels came down to assist him. Shortly after, he started his work as a preacher and healer.
Ministries
Jesus' ministry was short, probably less than a year when he was between 29 and 33 years old. Luke 3:23 states that he started his ministry "about 30 years of age." But his controversial preaching and equally controversial miraculous healings attracted a lot of public attention. This caught the ire of public figures particularly the priests in the synagogues who were threatened by his growing popularity.
Among his major ministerial accomplishments include the Sermon of the Mount. This is considered as one of the most important discourses made by Jesus. This contains the longest piece of Jesus' teaching. It includes the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer which are central themes to Christian's beliefs. Jesus' Walking on Water and Feeding of 5000 were some of the most memorable miracles. Of course, numerous accounts of the healing of deafs, blinds and paralyzed people were contained in the Bible. He also has the power to bring the dead back to life such as what happened to his friend, Lazarus.
In his Final Ministry in Jerusalem, in the Passion Week, Jesus made the Olivet Discourse, which Jesus gave prophetic discourse on the end of times and the sufferings to be endured by those who would follow him. The culmination of Jesus' ministry in the Last Supper which occurred before he was captured and put to death by Crucifixion was one of the most well-known part of the bible.
As a teacher and a human being, Jesus embodied numerous traits worth emulating. He was a major proponent of forgiveness. In Matthew 18:22, he proposed forgiving seventy times seven times. Of course, Jesus is the perfect embodiment of the Christian triptych of theological virtues: faith, hope and love. His immense faith allowed him to perform numerous miracles. His hope in the innate goodness of his fellowmen allowed him to continue believing in goodness winning out in the end despite evidences pointing to the contrary. And finally, love. His life was a living testament of loving others as much as you love yourself. His performance of healings and countless miracles was born out of deep love for his fellowmen. He preached incessantly on the need to love God more than others and yourself. Love is the defining characteristic of Jesus' preachings and works. It is the force the propelled him to greatness. And yes, he did everything out of love.
Perhaps the most telling line of love in the Bible was in John 15:13 "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay his life down for his friend." Such was the kind of love of Jesus has for his fellowmen. He sacrificed his life for the atonement of man's sins. This is the ultimate form of selflessness and love. This is the kind of love that Jesus espoused again and again in his ministry.
Propagation of Christianity
His disciples continued his works and teachings. They convinced others to believe in Jesus too. Consequently, a new religion based on Jesus Christ's teachings came about, the Christianity. The disciples of Christs were the first Christians. Despite animosity and countless persecutions of its early members, Christianity flourished and prevailed over naysayers. Today, more than a third of the world's population (approximately more than 2 billion people) belong to the Christian faith.
Such was the life of a great man, Jesus Christ, whose life and works was a living testament of faith in God and unconditional love of fellowmen. Jesus Christ was and is the embodiment of true greatness - a greatness that stems from the soul. He did not establish his kingdom based on force but on faith and love. As the empires of men faded away, billions hold Jesus in devotion. And because of this, the Christian faith endures.
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