Exploring Jesus
Who is Jesus, and why does it matter?
You don't have to believe anything to ask. Here is why we think he is worth your time, and some ways to look into it properly.
Why bother with Jesus?
More has been written, argued and sung about Jesus of Nazareth than about anyone else who has ever lived. That alone makes him worth a look. But the real reason is what he said about himself.
Christianity is not first a set of rules or a religious culture. It is a claim about a person: that Jesus is God come among us, that he died to deal with everything that separates us from God, and that he rose from the dead.
If that is true, it changes everything about who we are, what we are for, and what happens when we die. If it is not, it is worth ruling out. Either way, it deserves better than a shrug.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
What did Jesus say about himself?
Plenty of people call Jesus a good teacher. The trouble is, good teachers don't say things like this.
-
"I am the bread of life."
Jesus said he is what people are really hungry for. Not a teacher pointing to the answer, but the answer.
John 6
-
"I am the light of the world."
He claimed to show things as they actually are: God, the world, and us.
John 8
-
"I am the resurrection and the life."
He said death would not have the last word for anyone who trusts him. Then he died, and three days later his tomb was empty.
John 11
-
"The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many."
He said his death was the point: a price paid so that people could be forgiven and brought home to God.
Mark 10
Everything hangs on whether he actually rose. The first Christians staked their lives on it, and the evidence is stronger than most people expect. We'd love to walk you through it.
The big questions
These are the ones people ask us most. None of them is off limits.
- Does God exist?
- And if he does, is he knowable, or just a vague force?
- Can the Bible be trusted?
- It is old. It has been copied and translated. Why take it seriously?
- Isn't Christianity just one religion among many?
- What makes Jesus different from every other teacher or founder?
- What actually is a Christian?
- Is it being good, being religious, or something else entirely?
- What happens when we die?
- And what difference does Jesus make to the answer?
- Why is there so much suffering?
- How can a good God allow it, and what has he done about it?
Three easy next steps
Read Mark
The shortest eyewitness account of Jesus' life, readable in about ninety minutes. Ask us for a free copy, or read it online.
Come on Sunday
Hear the Bible explained in plain language, with no pressure to say or do anything, and talk to real people over morning tea.
Meet for coffee
Greg is happy to meet one to one, take your questions seriously, and point you to good answers.