Why Jesus is important

I was raised as a Catholic but my understanding of why Jesus is important was woefully ridiculous.  Having attended Church most of my life how did I miss this most important game-changing concept.  How could I know God but be utterly ignorant of the importance of Jesus? Yes, I knew he died on the cross for our sins, but I did miss the big connection between believing in Jesus and going to heaven. Other Catholics I have spoken to get it. Some had accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior and were born again.  Do most Christians believe in the importance of Jesus?  I would say yes.

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,

Mark 1:1

Christians Belief About Jesus

Most Christians believe in Jesus. He is the second person of the Holy Trinity.  He is the Son of God. 80% of Americans agree Jesus is the Son of God the Father, according to a poll by ChristianityToday.com. Per the 2020 State of Theology Study by Lifeway.com, 72% of Americans believe there is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. However, per this same study, 55% also believe that Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God. Let’s review what God intended Jesus’s ministry to accomplish.

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

What did Jesus do during His earthly ministry

Let’s begin with the basics.  Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament.  To learn more about the importance of this read Old Testament vs. New Testament.  To be the way to God. To be our savior. He was fully man and fully God when He came down to earth. With the fall of Adam, it appears that there was no way back to the Garden of Eden to be with God.  Animal sacrifices were never going to be enough. Also, man was never going to be able to follow the laws given to Moses. Man entered into sin and there just was no way out.  Until Jesus. He came so that we would have life in abundance. Therefore, the teachings of Jesus are about the way to get to heaven. This is why Jesus’s ministry is important and why we should know who He is.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

John 11:25

Who is Jesus and why is he Important?

Jesus is God.  He is the image of God in the flesh.  He told His disciples if you have seen me then you have seen the Father (John 14:9).  This verse was a game-changer for me.  Christ is the bridge to heaven where God dwells.  He was with God in the beginning and was the Word. This Word spoke all creation into existence.  Jesus was not created but has always existed. He has no beginning and no end.  On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Revelation 19:16. Jesus is majestic. He is the gift from God that leads to a life of worship.

As the Son, He took on human flesh for a specific point in time for human salvation. He came down from heaven to take on the sins of the world. He died on the cross as the final sacrifice for all mankind. On the third day, He was resurrected. Thereby conquering death. However, where did Jesus go before, He rose from the dead.

⁸ This is why itsays: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” ⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, to fill the whole universe.)

Ephesians 4:8-10

Where did Christ Go while his body was in the tomb?

This is another reason why Jesus is important.  Before the first resurrection people went to Sheol/Hades to wait for the coming of the Messiah. Sheol/Hades is a temporary place for souls. After Christ died, He went to Sheol/Hades.  It is a place divided by a “great chasm” separating the two sides. One side is Hades which hosts the unsaved and Sheol which hosts the saved.  It is a place of blessings and judgment.

Hence, when He died, he went to the blessing side to retrieve the believers. He then went on to Paradise.  Those left on the judgment side remained there in Hades to await the final judgment in the future.  To understand this completely think of the story of The Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. Hence, this marked the beginning of our salvation.  The forgiveness of all sin. Now believers go straight to paradise. And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

1 Peter 2:24

Why Jesus is important for our Salvation?

We are commanded to believe in Jesus for He is the way. We are to believe that there is no other way to be reconciled to God. It is that simple because there is no other way. Most people find the simplicity of salvation hard to accept. They believe they are good enough. Their hearts are right. They have done enough good things to make it to heaven. However, our salvation relies on our surrender to God. It has never been about who we are or what we have done.  God’s gift of grace to us has always been about what Christ has done. Jesus humbly honored God in all that he did.  Do not let your pride make you believe that you deserve salvation or answers from God like Job.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Why Jesus is important, and Job was not?

Job was more righteous than many people of his day.  Based on his actions and deeds he demanded that God allow him to have justice and his life back.  Job wanted God to review all that he had done which proved his innocence.  However, Job’s sufferings were not because of his good or bad deeds.  It was a spiritual battle with the devil. And although Job did not feel that all his suffering was justified, he had no right to make demands from God to give him back all that he had lost. Job had it all wrong when he allowed his pride to question God and make demands.  We should not seek God for what we can get but rather for God himself.

Jesus, in contrast, came to humbly do the will of God.  He was always seeking to glorify the Father.  Seeking to serve and fulfill his destiny. He suffered and died so that we might live.  Jesus’s relationship with the Father was most important to Him.  Therefore, He followed the will of God always. This was a very important part of God’s plan.

“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17

Why Jesus is important to God?

Jesus is God’s plan for our salvation.  God knew that we would need a savior because of our sinful nature.  Hence, God made the way.  What is Jesus to God? He was the son whom God knew would do as He desired.  God was well pleased with Jesus for He knew Jesus would accomplish all that he asked of Him to do.  Christ came to fulfill prophecies. He filled at least 300 during his ministry on earth.  Here is a list of 351 Old Testament Prophesies Fulfilled by Jesus.  

Our Savior would submit to all kinds of degradation, humiliation, torture, and finally death.  He came from a perfect world to set foot in an unimaginable cesspool of lies, death, hurt, pain, sorrow, hate, etc.  I could go on. Christ experienced all of this but still, he wanted to be our savior. Why is Jesus important because He plans to return?

for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

 1 Thessalonians 5:2

Why is it important that Christ Return?

Jesus will return but it is likened to a thief in the night for we have no idea when he plans to return.  It will catch the unbelieving world by surprise.  We Christians wait in expectation and with great anticipation for His return.  When I am tempted to do something wrong, I am reminded of Jesus’s imminent return. 

But what if He returns and I have fallen away? Would I have a second chance to get into heaven?  Or would he just leave me for the final judgment? Also, if I am still here when Christ does return, I guess I missed the rapture. Therefore, I did not truly believe in Jesus I was a Christian just going through the motions. Let’s back up a bit. However, I will still have time to surrender to God during the terrible tribulation and when He returns. Hence, as long as I repent of my sins and I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior then we can still be saved. We all have time to change our hearts and mind before our last breath.

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

The Purpose of the Second Coming

Jesus must return to fulfill the scripture of the second coming which is an act of judgment that removes the unbelievers from God.  Only believers will be allowed to go to paradise to live in eternity.  The rapture before the return of Jesus is God’s removal of His people from the earth in a twinkle of an eye before the tribulation.  Everyone is not going to paradise.  Besides, if you don’t believe in God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit why do you wish to go to heaven.  Heaven is where God is.  Hell, the place without God is where you ought to go.  Therefore, the rapture and Jesus’s return are so important to Christians and the final judgment.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Why Jesus is important for Final Judgement

This is the final step before we can be in paradise with God.  Only believers will be allowed to proceed through the proverbial pearly gates.  The new heaven and new earth where believers will live without tears, death, crying, or pain.  We will praise, worship, glorify and honor God continually.  We will be free to live in peace. Jesus fulfills scripture in the Bible that promises God’s peace. The final judgment will throw non-believers into the Lake of Fire for eternity.

The Jesus Bible

Please read The Jesus Bible to help you understand why Jesus is important.   I have found that this Bible explains the need for a savior throughout the entire Old Testament and New Testament.  It is a great learning Bible to help you know and love Jesus more deeply.

Thank God

Thank You for sending Jesus, our Messiah.  I am grateful for this ultimate sacrifice that allows us to be with you in paradise for eternity. You are so good, and Your love knows no boundaries. This day and every day allow us to draw near to you. I want to enter Your presence daily with thankfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Additional Reading:

Faith, Hope, And Trust

Christians and The Bible

Finding Jesus and Reconciliation

Love, peace, and joy,

Sabrina