Who is Jesus Christ and Why is He Unique?

Why Does Jesus Matter So Much?

Last week, we talked about how God wants a personal relationship with us. This week, we’re looking at the person who makes that relationship possible: Jesus Christ. You might wonder why we spend so much time focusing on Him specifically. There are three big reasons:

• He is God’s ultimate message to us. While God reveals Himself through nature and our conscience, Jesus is the "final word." If you want to know what God is like, you look at Jesus.

• He is the heart of the Bible. From the very first pages of the Old Testament to the end of the New Testament, the whole story is pointing toward Him.

• He is the only way home. According to the Bible, Jesus is the central figure in God’s plan to save us and bring us back into a relationship with Him.

The Evidence: What Makes Him Unique?

It’s a bold claim to say one person is the "only way." So, what’s the evidence? Let’s look at seven different lines of proof that set Jesus apart from every other historical figure or religious leader.

1. He was expected. Long before Jesus was born, the Old Testament was full of "fingerprints" identifying who the Messiah would be. He fulfilled over 300 specific prophecies. For example, it was predicted He’d be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), born in the tiny town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and even described the specific way He would die centuries before crucifixion was even invented (Psalm 22:16).

2. He made radical claims. Jesus didn't just claim to be a good teacher; He claimed to be God. He said things like, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30) and told people that to honor Him was to honor God (John 5:23). He claimed He could forgive sins something only God can do and famously used the title "I AM" (John 8:58), which was the sacred name God used for Himself in the Old Testament. Most importantly, He predicted He would rise from the dead to prove it all.

3. He backed it up with His works. Jesus didn't just talk; He acted. The Gospels record Him performing miracles that showed power over every area of life: nature (calming storms), the spiritual realm (casting out demons), physical sickness (healing the blind and lepers), and even death itself (raising Lazarus

4. He accepted worship. In the Bible, holy men and angels always refuse worship, saying it belongs to God alone. But Jesus accepted it. When His disciple Thomas saw Him after the resurrection and cried out, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28), Jesus didn't correct him. He accepted it as the truth.

5. People who knew Him were convinced. The people closest to Him who saw Him eat, sleep, and sweat were the ones most certain of His divinity. John called Him the "Word made flesh," Peter called Him "the Christ, the Son of the living God," and even the Roman centurion who watched Him die said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

6. He changed the world. Think about the impact of this one life. We literally split history into BC and AD because of Him. Most of our modern concepts of compassion, hospitals, and human rights have their roots in His teachings. Millions of people for 2,000 years have been willing to die rather than deny Him.

7. He changes lives today. This isn't just history; it’s personal. From the first disciples to people sitting in this room, Jesus has a track record of transforming lives turning addicts into helpers, the selfish into the selfless, and the hopeless into people of purpose.

The Big Question: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

The famous author C.S. Lewis once pointed out that we can’t just call Jesus a "great moral teacher." A man who said the things Jesus said would either be a liar (if He knew He wasn't God) or a lunatic (if He thought He was God but wasn't). The only other option is that He is exactly who He claimed to be: Lord.

So, as we wrap up this week, the question isn't just "Who is Jesus?" but "Who is He to you?" You have the choice to either reject Him or accept Him as your Lord and Savior.

Week Two – Key Takeaways

• Jesus is unique because He fulfilled ancient prophecies, performed miracles, and claimed to be God.

• His life, death, and resurrection are the "bridge" that allows us to have that personal relationship with God we talked about last week.

• Because of His radical claims, we have to decide if He is a liar, a lunatic, or truly the Lord.

Student guide.

Looking Back for a Moment

Last week we talked about having a personal relationship with God, and we saw that Jesus is absolutely central to that. If knowing God is the goal, then knowing who Jesus is becomes essential.

This week we’re asking: Who is Jesus Christ, and what makes Him different from every other religious figure in history?

The Bible says this question really matters for at least three big reasons.

Three Reasons Jesus’ Identity Really Matters

1. Jesus is God’s ultimate self-revelation.
   God spoke in many ways through the Old Testament prophets, but in Jesus He spoke in the clearest, most personal way possible.

   • Hebrews 1:1–2
     “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the [Old Testament] prophets at many times and in various ways but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

   • John 14:9
     “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

If you want to know what God is like look at Jesus.

2. Jesus claimed to be the central theme of Scripture.
   The religious leaders in Jesus’ day studied the Old Testament intensely, but they missed the point.

   • John 5:39
     “You [Jewish leaders] diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me.”

Jesus is saying: “The whole story has been pointing to Me.”

3. Jesus is God’s plan of salvation.
   The Bible isn’t just information it’s a rescue story that centers on Jesus.

   • 2 Timothy 3:15
     “The holy Scriptures…are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

So if Jesus is at the very center of God’s plan, we need to be clear on who He is.

Seven Lines of Evidence for the Uniqueness of Jesus

To answer “Who is Jesus, and why is He unique?”, we’ll walk through seven lines of evidence:

1. Old Testament prophecy

2. Jesus’ own words

3. Jesus’ works (miracles)

4. Worship given to Jesus

5. Statements of Jesus’ contemporaries

6. Jesus’ impact on history

7. Transformed lives

Let’s take these one at a time.

1. The Evidence of Old Testament Prophecy

Long before Jesus was born hundreds of years before God spoke through prophets and gave very specific predictions about the coming Messiah.

God Himself said that fulfilled prophecy would be one of the ways He shows He is truly God.

• Numbers 23:19
  “God is not a man, that he should lie… Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

• Isaiah 48:3–5
  God says He foretold things long ago and then brought them to pass so people couldn’t credit idols or false gods.

A true prophet had to be 100% accurate:

• Deuteronomy 18:21–22
  If what a prophet says in the LORD’s name does not happen, that message is not from God.

Over roughly 750–1,000 years before Jesus, around 300 specific prophecies were given about the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled them all. Here are just three key ones.

a. His Virgin Birth

• Prophecy – Isaiah 7:14
  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

• Fulfillment – Matthew 1:18–25
  Matthew explains that Mary was pregnant “through the Holy Spirit,” that Joseph was told by an angel not to be afraid, and that this all took place to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy about the virgin bearing a Son called Immanuel “God with us.”

b. His Birthplace: Bethlehem

• Prophecy – Micah 5:2
  Out of the small town of Bethlehem would come a ruler “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

• Fulfillment – Luke 2:1–7
  A Roman census leads Joseph and the pregnant Mary to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born exactly as foretold.

c. His Method of Death: Pierced, No Bones Broken

Written centuries before crucifixion as we know it:

• Prophecies

  • Psalm 22:16–17 – “They have pierced my hands and feet.”

  • Zechariah 12:10 – “They will look on me, the one they have pierced.”

  • Psalm 34:20 – “[The LORD] protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.”

• Fulfillment

  • John 19:31–37 – Jesus’ legs are not broken (unlike the others crucified), but His side is pierced with a spear. John says this happened “so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.”

  • John 20:25–29 – The risen Jesus shows Thomas the nail marks in His hands and the wound in His side.

The New Testament also shows Jesus fulfilling other prophecies (seed of Abraham, tribe of Judah, line of David, Palm Sunday, betrayal amount, burial, resurrection, etc.).

Bottom line: Fulfilled prophecy is a powerful line of evidence that Jesus is the promised Messiah and utterly unique.

2. The Evidence of Jesus’ Own Words

What did Jesus actually say about Himself?

He didn’t just claim to be a teacher or prophet. He made stunning, personal claims that point directly to His deity.

a. He claimed to be one with God the Father.

• John 10:30–31
  “I and the Father are one.”
  The Jewish leaders immediately pick up stones to stone Him. Why? Because they understood this as a claim to deity a claim that, if false, would be blasphemy.

b. He claimed the same honor as God.

• John 5:23
  “That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father.”

c. He implied He was sinless.

• John 8:46
  “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?”

No honest person would ask that unless they were either deluded or truly sinless.

d. He claimed the authority to forgive sins.

• Luke 5:24
  “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…”

He backs this claim up by healing a paralyzed man. Forgiving sins is something only God can rightfully do.

e. He claimed to be the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God.

• Matthew 26:63–64
  Under oath before the high priest, when asked if He is “the Christ, the Son of God,” Jesus replies, “Yes, it is as you say.”

f. He used God’s covenant name for Himself “I AM.”

• Exodus 3:13–14 – God reveals His name to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM.”

• John 8:58–59 – Jesus says, “Before Abraham was born, I am!”
  Again, the Jews pick up stones, understanding this as a claim to be the eternal God.

g. He claimed to be the only way to God.

• John 14:6, 9
  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
  “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

h. He predicted His own death and resurrection.

• Mark 9:31
  “The Son of Man… They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”

No other major religious leader makes this combination of claims—and then backs them up.

3. The Evidence of Jesus’ Works (Miracles)

Jesus didn’t just talk like God; He acted with God-like power.

• John 14:11
  “Believe… that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.”

Where did He display this power?

a. Power over nature

• Luke 8:22–25 – Jesus calms a violent storm with a command. The disciples, terrified and amazed, ask, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

b. Power over demons

• Luke 11:14 – He drives out a mute demon; the man speaks, and the crowd is amazed.

c. Power over disease and sickness

• Matthew 4:23–24 – Jesus heals “every disease and sickness among the people.”

d. Power over blindness

• John 9:29–33 – A man born blind is healed. He says, “Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind… If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

e. Power over death

• John 11:43–44 – Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, and “the dead man came out.”

• Romans 1:4 – Jesus Himself is “declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead.”

His miracles weren’t random “magic tricks.” They consistently point to His identity and culminate in His own resurrection (which Week Three explores in depth).

4. The Evidence of Worship Given to Jesus

Good Jewish people knew that worship belongs to God alone yet they worshiped Jesus.

• The Magi – Matthew 2:11
  They “bowed down and worshiped him” and brought costly gifts.

• The disciples in the boat – Matthew 14:33
  After Jesus calms the storm and walks on water: “Truly you are the Son of God.”

• The man born blind – John 9:35–38
  When Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of Man, the man says, “Lord, I believe,” and worships Him.

Jesus receives this worship. He doesn’t correct them or say, “No, no, I’m just a teacher.” He accepts worship that rightfully belongs only to God.

5. The Evidence from People Who Knew Him

What did those closest to Jesus say about Him?

a. John –
Jesus is the eternal Word of God who became human.

• John 1:1–2, 14
  “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

b. Peter –
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Salvation is found in no one else.

• Matthew 16:13–17 – Peter confesses, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

• Acts 4:12 – “Salvation is found in no one else… no other name… by which we must be saved.”

c. Thomas –
Once doubting, now convinced:

• John 20:27–28 – Seeing the risen Jesus, Thomas says, “My Lord and my God!”

d. Paul –
Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God; all God’s fullness dwells in Him.

• Colossians 1:15 – “He is the image of the invisible God…”

• Colossians 2:9 – “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

• Titus 2:13 – “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

e. The Roman centurion –

• Mark 15:39 – Watching Jesus die, he says, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

f. The author of Hebrews –

• Hebrews 1:3 – “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being…”

These are the people who saw Him, walked with Him, heard Him teach, watched Him die, and encountered Him risen. They didn’t walk away calling Him only a “good moral teacher.” They called Him Lord, God, the Son of God, the exact representation of God.

6. The Evidence of History

Jesus’ influence on history is massive and unique.

• He literally split history into BC and AD.

• His resurrection led early Jewish believers (who had worshiped on Saturday for centuries) to start gathering for worship on Sunday.

• His teaching has shaped law, government, education, art, ethics, and human rights across much of the world.

• He instituted baptism and the Lord’s Supper, still practiced globally.

• His followers have been moved to fight for the vulnerable—children, women, slaves—and to start hospitals, orphanages, and countless ministries of mercy.

• Millions have been willing to die rather than deny Him.

One historian said history is essentially “His story.” You can’t tell the story of the world without dealing with Jesus Christ.

7. The Evidence of Transformed Lives

Finally, and very personally, there is the evidence of changed lives.

The disciples before the resurrection:

• Mark 14:50 – “Then everyone deserted him and fled.”

• Mark 14:71 – Peter denies even knowing Jesus.

After the resurrection:

• Acts 4:13 – The religious leaders are astonished at the courage of Peter and John and recognize “that these men had been with Jesus.”

• Acts 4:18–20 – When commanded to stop speaking about Jesus, Peter and John reply, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Something radical happened to turn frightened deserters into bold witnesses willing to suffer and die.

Paul before meeting the risen Christ:

• Acts 9:1–2 – He is “breathing out murderous threats” against Christians.

• Acts 22:20 – He admits approving the killing of Stephen.

After meeting Jesus:

• Romans 1:16 – He’s unashamed of the gospel and spends the rest of his life preaching the faith he once tried to destroy (Galatians 1:23).

And this isn’t just ancient history. Around the world today, people point to Jesus as the One who freed them from addictions, bitterness, despair, or empty religion, and gave them new purpose, forgiveness, and hope.

So, Who Is Jesus, Really?

When you add it all up:

• The fulfilled prophecies

• His own claims

• His miracles

• The worship He received

• The testimony of those who knew Him

• His impact on history

• And millions of transformed lives

you’re pushed toward a conclusion:

Jesus is not just a good man, a wise teacher, or one option among many religious leaders. According to the Bible, and according to the evidence, He is Lord fully God and fully man, the promised Messiah, and God’s only provision for our salvation.

C.S. Lewis (summarizing an older argument) laid out the logic:

• If Jesus claimed to be God, then either His claims were false or true.

• If false, either He knew they were false (then He’d be a liar) or He didn’t know (then He’d be a lunatic).

• If His claims were true, then He is Lord.

There isn’t really room to call Him just “a good moral teacher.”

The Bible says that, one day, everyone will recognize this:

• Philippians 2:10–11
  “…that at the name of Jesus every knee [will] bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…”

And it leaves each of us with a personal question:

If Jesus really is who He says He is what will I do with Him? Will I accept Him, or reject Him?

Week Two – FAQ: Who Is Jesus Christ and Why Is He Unique?

1. Why do Christians focus so much on Jesus instead of just “God” in general?

Because, according to the Bible, Jesus is God revealed to us in a personal, visible way.
If you want to know what God is like His heart, His character, His priorities you look at Jesus (Hebrews 1:1–3; John 14:9). He is the center of God’s plan and the main character of the whole Bible.

2. Is Jesus really the only way to God? What about other religions?

Jesus Himself said:

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

That’s an exclusive claim. Christianity teaches that all roads do not lead to God, but that God has provided one clear, loving way through Jesus His life, death, and resurrection. Other religions may contain moral teachings, but only Jesus offers full forgiveness of sins and a restored relationship with God.

3. Did Jesus actually claim to be God, or did His followers make that up later?

Jesus directly and indirectly claimed to be God. Examples:

• “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)

• He used the divine name “I AM” about Himself (John 8:58).

• He accepted worship (John 20:28; Matthew 28:9,17).

• He claimed authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5–7), which the religious leaders knew was a claim to deity.

His followers didn’t invent this idea; they were responding to what He clearly said and did.

4. What is the “Liar, Lunatic, or Lord” argument?

C.S. Lewis pointed out that someone who says the kinds of things Jesus said about Himself can’t just be called a “good moral teacher.”

• If He knew His claims were false, He’d be a liar.

• If He believed His claims but they weren’t true, He’d be a lunatic.

• If His claims are true, then He is Lord.

The point is: Jesus forces a decision you can’t honestly say He’s just a nice guy with good ideas.

5. What makes Jesus different from other religious leaders like Buddha, Muhammad, or Confucius?

Several things stand out:

• He claimed to be God, not just a prophet or teacher.

• He predicted His own death and resurrection.

• He offered forgiveness of sins and a personal relationship with God.

• He fulfilled hundreds of detailed prophecies written centuries before His birth.

• His resurrection is presented as a real event in history, not just a symbol.

No other major religious figure combines all of these claims and evidences.

6. How do we know Jesus really fulfilled Old Testament prophecies and they weren’t just written after the fact?

Many Old Testament books were written hundreds of years before Jesus. We have ancient manuscripts (like the Dead Sea Scrolls) that confirm these texts existed before His birth.

Prophecies about:

• His birthplace (Micah 5:2 – Bethlehem)

• His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14)

• His suffering and death (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53)

…all match the life of Jesus, even down to specific details that would be impossible to control.

7. Why does it matter that Jesus did miracles? Couldn’t they just be stories?

The miracles are important because they:

• Support His claims to be God’s Son (John 10:37–38).

• Show His power over nature, sickness, demons, and death.

• Demonstrate His compassion for people in need.

If they actually happened, they’re strong evidence that Jesus is exactly who He said He was. The early Christians were willing to die rather than deny what they had seen.

8. What’s the big deal about the resurrection?

If Jesus really rose from the dead, then:

• His claims about being God are validated.

• His sacrifice for sin is accepted by God (Romans 4:25).

• Death is no longer the final word—there is real hope beyond the grave.

If the resurrection didn’t happen, Christianity collapses (1 Corinthians 15:14–19). That’s how central it is.

9. Could the disciples have made up the story about the resurrection?

They could have but look at the cost:

• Many of them were beaten, imprisoned, or killed for preaching that Jesus rose from the dead.

• Liars usually don’t willingly die for what they know is false.

• The accounts include embarrassing details (their own doubts, failures, and confusion), which is unusual if you’re writing a fake story about yourself.

The best explanation for their boldness and willingness to suffer is that they truly believed they had seen the risen Jesus.

10. Why is it important that Jesus accepted worship?

In the Bible:

• Angels and godly people refuse worship (Acts 10:25–26; Revelation 19:10).

• God alone is to be worshiped (Exodus 20:3–5).

Yet Jesus accepts worship (Matthew 14:33; John 20:28; Matthew 28:17). If He were not God, this would be blasphemy. His acceptance of worship is another strong sign of His divine identity.

11. What does it mean that Jesus is “God’s final word” to us?

It means that in Jesus, God has said everything essential we need to know about who He is and how we can be saved.

Hebrews 1:1–2 explains that in the past, God spoke through prophets, but now He has spoken to us by His Son. Jesus is the clearest and highest revelation of God.

12. If Jesus is so important, why doesn’t everyone believe in Him?

People reject Jesus for many reasons:

• Intellectual doubts (questions about miracles, the Bible, etc.).

• Moral reasons (not wanting to change their lifestyle).

• Cultural or religious pressure from family or society.

• Pride or a desire to stay “in control” of their own life.

God doesn’t force belief; He invites. Each person must decide how to respond to who Jesus is.

13. Can someone admire Jesus but not follow Him?

Yes, but that’s not what He calls us to.

Many people like Jesus as a moral teacher or an inspiring figure, but He didn’t leave that option open. He called people to:

• Repent (turn from sin),

• Believe in Him,

• Follow Him as Lord.

So “admiring” Jesus from a distance is different from trusting Him and becoming His disciple.

14. Why do we say Jesus is the “center” of the whole Bible?

Because:

• The Old Testament points forward to Him through promises, prophecies, and symbols (like sacrifices and the Passover).

• The Gospels tell the story of His life, death, and resurrection.

• The rest of the New Testament explains what His coming means for us and for the world.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is telling one big story, and Jesus is at the center of it.

15. What does “Christ” mean? Is it Jesus’ last name?

“Christ” is not a last name—it’s a title.

“Christ” comes from the Greek word for “Anointed One,” which is the same as the Hebrew word “Messiah.” Calling Jesus “Christ” means we believe He is the promised Savior and King God said would come.

16. How has Jesus shaped history outside the church?

Even people who don’t believe in Him recognize His impact:

• Our calendar (BC/AD or BCE/CE) is centered around His life.

• His teachings influenced laws, human rights, care for the poor, hospitals, education, and more.

• Many of the ideas we see as basic like the value of every human life were deeply shaped by His words and example.

You don’t have to look far to see that the life of Jesus changed the course of history.

17. What does it mean that Jesus changes lives today?

It means He’s not just a historical figure; He’s a living Savior who still works in people’s hearts.

People today experience:

• Forgiveness of guilt and shame.

• Freedom from addictions, bitterness, and fear.

• New purpose, peace, and joy.

The disciples went from fearful to bold, Paul went from persecutor to preacher and stories like that are still happening.

18. What if I’m not sure Jesus is God yet? Am I allowed to have doubts?

Yes. God isn’t afraid of honest questions.

If you’re unsure:

• Admit it to God in prayer.

• Read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and pay attention to Jesus’ words and actions.

• Ask questions in your group or with a trusted Christian friend.

Doubts can be a doorway to deeper faith if you’re willing to seek truth.

19. How does understanding who Jesus is connect to having a relationship with God?

Last week, we learned God wants a personal relationship with us. This week shows how that’s possible:

• Our sin separates us from a holy God.

• Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, died in our place and rose again.

• When we turn to Him and trust Him, we are forgiven, reconciled, and adopted into God’s family.

So, knowing who Jesus is isn’t just information it’s the key to knowing God personally.

20. What should I do if I’m starting to believe Jesus really is Lord?

You can respond in a simple but sincere way:

1. Admit your sin and your need for Him.

2. Believe that He died for your sins and rose again.

3. Invite Him to be your Lord and Savior—surrendering your life to Him.

You can do this in your own words or with someone you trust. The main thing is your heart posture: turning from self-rule to Christ’s rule.

Ready?

Let's dive into Week three: Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?