Question: Dr. Tony, I’m a new Christian, and I have many questions about Jesus. Some of the stuff I’m learning is difficult to understand and believe. Some of my questions are: was Jesus even real, or what was He like on earth? I heard He was a Jewish rabbi. Is that true? Who did Jesus claim to be, and why did He die? Can you help answer some of my questions?
Answer:
First of all, welcome to your new walk of faith! I want you to know—it’s okay to have questions. In fact, asking questions is one of the best ways to grow in your relationship with God. I’ve studied theology for years, and I still find myself amazed by the depth of who Jesus is. So, let’s take this step by step together.
Was Jesus even a real person?
Yes, absolutely. The historical existence of Jesus is beyond dispute among credible scholars. Jesus—whose Hebrew name was Yeshua—was a Jewish man born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth. His life and teachings are documented in the four Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Even non-Christian historians from the first century, like Josephus and Tacitus, acknowledged His existence.
But Jesus was more than a man in history—He was (and is) God in human form, the promised Messiah who came to redeem humanity.
What was Jesus like on earth?
While Scripture doesn’t give us a physical description, we do get to know His heart. I imagine Jesus with calloused hands from His days as a carpenter, eyes full of compassion, and a smile that drew people in. His words carried the authority of Heaven, yet His heart was gentle and full of mercy. Wherever Jesus went, His Kingdom went also and lives changed—broken hearts healed, the sick were restored, and the hopeless found purpose again. No one encountered Him and stayed the same.
Was Jesus a Jewish rabbi?
Yes. The religious leaders of His day called Him Rabbi, which means “teacher.” (See Luke 19:39.) He was a respected teacher of the Torah—the first five books of the Old Testament—and often taught in synagogues. Yet Jesus was more than just a rabbi; He taught with divine authority and revealed the deeper meaning behind God’s law, fulfilling it perfectly through love and grace.
Who did Jesus claim to be?
This is where Jesus stands apart from every other teacher, prophet, or philosopher in history. He didn’t just speak about God—He is the authority of God manifested in flesh. In John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” When asked if He was the Messiah (Christ), He confirmed it (John 10:25). His miracles—healing the blind, calming storms, raising the dead—were all signs of His divine nature and authority.
The Apostles testified to this truth as well: Jesus is the Son of God, the Word made flesh, the Savior who brings light to a dark world.
Why did Jesus die?
Jesus didn’t die as a martyr or victim of circumstance. He willingly gave His life as an atonement for our sins—to restore humanity’s broken relationship with God. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were made to cover sin temporarily. But Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, became the ultimate sacrifice once and for all.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
By dying on the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the penalty that our sins deserved. Then, three days later, He rose from the dead—defeating sin, death, and the grave forever. His resurrection isn’t just a historical miracle; it’s the living power that still transforms hearts and lives today.
Through faith in Jesus, we are forgiven, redeemed, and restored into relationship with God. That’s the beauty of the gospel, the greatest love story ever told.
As you grow in faith, don’t rush to have all the answers. Faith isn’t about having perfect understanding, it’s about trusting the One who understands perfectly.
Pray often. Read the Gospels. Ask God to surround you with believers who can walk alongside you in this journey. You were never meant to grow in faith alone.
Jesus is real. He loves you deeply. And He is everything He claimed to be, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and your faithful Redeemer.
Welcome to the greatest adventure of your life, walking with Him.
