Jesus – What Is It About That Name?

What on earth do we believe in? Or maybe more correctly: WHO do we believe in?
Everyone believes in something – a force, an event, a theory, or a story about something or someone.

Jesus is a name that means “God saves.” He got that name from his mother, Mary.
He lived more than 2,000 years ago, but He’s more talked about and followed than anyone else today. That can’t be said about kings, pop stars, or philosophers.
He was just a simple guy, raised in a small country in the Middle East. No army, no groundbreaking innovation that wiped out the competition.
He was a humble but powerful young man with one clear mission: to show a few people what God's Kingdom looks like, so they could spread it to the rest of the world.
And it worked. What He said actually happened – and His plan is still in progress.

In fact, this is what TIME Magazine listed as the most influential people in history (quoted by VG):

1. Jesus

2. Napoleon

3. Muhammad

4. William Shakespeare

5. Abraham Lincoln

6. ... (and so on down to #20)

That's a pretty wild list of history makers and world shakers.
But not all of them were good. And just because you made a mark in history doesn’t mean you matter today.

So what’s the secret behind Jesus’ influence?
What was His idea?
Why has He outlived every crisis, every war, and even death itself (literally)?

There are probably 10,000 reasons, but Jesus Himself said He came to preach, proclaim, and live out the Good News.
What is that?
That God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, to pay for all our mistakes, weaknesses, and sins.
He even carried our sicknesses.
These are timeless and powerful truths that no one else can really compete with. Many have tried. No one has matched it.
He is grace and truth.
He brings truth about God – and about ourselves.

John writes it like this in chapter 1:

“From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” (John 1:16–18)

At the heart of His grace is salvation – saving us from what destroys us… even saving us from ourselves.

This message isn’t out of date.
It wasn’t just for the past. It’s for you and me – today.
For the people in your world – those with a Christian background, from other religions, or with no faith at all.
There is grace enough for everyone.
It’s like an open heaven, full of good gifts.

One of the most genius things Jesus said is that He not only shows us the way to God – He shows us who God is.

Right at the beginning of Hebrews, we read:

“But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son… Through Him He created the world. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature.” (Hebrews 1:2–3). Some of the people who walked with Jesus, who knew Him for years, said this in the book of Acts: “Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power. He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38).

If you want to grow in faith or understand what the Christian faith is really about, you can’t skip Jesus.
He is the foundation – the cornerstone.
He’s called the author and finisher of faith.
With Jesus, faith comes to you – not something you have to force out of yourself.
And maybe the best part?
He’s still alive, still relevant, and still present.
You can talk to Him right now, wherever you are.
No matter what life has done to you – or what you’ve done with your life – you can start a journey right here, right now, toward the center of life: Jesus Christ.

He’s the one we set our clocks by.
He shaped our ethics and gave us a view of humanity that still carries the world today.
And the best part?
He wants to be your friend and a present source of strength, no matter what the road ahead looks like.

So how do you do that?
Well… just do what feels natural.
Talk to Him. Read His Word. Reach out to a Christian friend. Pray. Ask questions.
You can even email me if you want.
He’s closer than you think.

In short, here’s what Jesus Christ has given us:

• A new life.

• Eternal life.

• A good life.

I don’t know about you, but that hits home for me.Good luck on your journey of faith. Don’t hold back – He’s right there.