Why Is Jesus So Important?

The way to the Father

John 14:6 (NIV)

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

By Jacob Emptage

Introduction

Jesus is the only way to the Father. Accepting Him as your savior and accepting what He did is what gets you to heaven to live with Jesus and God for eternity. I want to encourage you not to just accept Him because of this reason. I want to encourage you to learn more about Him. I want you to read the Word and see the other things that Jesus did on this earth. The death and resurrection are not the only things He did. Love Him because of what He did for you, not just to get to heaven but because you know what He did is true, because He is the Son of God, because He is your savior. God knows your heart and knows if you truly accept Him or not. I want to talk about a few important things that Jesus did when He was on the earth. The resurrection is important, but there are other important events that took place that made the sacrifice that much more important. When you accept Jesus, you also accept God who sent Him. Do not just focus on Jesus but also our Father. I think a lot of people only focus on Jesus because He is the way but God is our Father and He loves us so much, He is the one who sent His son for us. Jesus is the bridge between humanity and God because of the fall, we were separated from our Father but we have a way to be with our Father again but because of certain events makes Him the perfect sacrifice.

Jesus Birth

There are so many different reasons why Jesus is so important, but I want to talk about Jesus’s birth on Earth. I want to talk about why this birth is so important to us. Jesus was born of a virgin, which means that sin was not passed down to Jesus. He was  perfect and sinless. In John 1:29 (NIV), it says, “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”! You might ask why Jesus was called “The Lamb of God”, and why this is important.  Let’s go back to the Old Testament. Leviticus 4:35 (NIV) says this: “They shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the lamb of the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar on top of the food offerings presented to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven. In the Old Testament they would sacrifice lambs to have their sins forgiven. A blood sacrifice. Jesus had to be born with no sin so He can be that perfect sacrifice for all sins. No more sacrificing animals for sins, one death covers all sins. He paid that price.

Question: What does Jesus being born without sin mean for His role as the perfect sacrifice for our sins?

Try This: Next time you sin, pause and remember that Jesus was born without sin so that He could be the perfect sacrifice for you. Instead of hiding in guilt, thank Him for His sacrifice and ask for forgiveness. Reflect on John 1:29 and think about how His blood covers your sin completely, just like the lambs once did in the Old Testament, but now once and for all through Him.

The Way to the Father

I am - Tetragrammaton (טטרגרמטון) the conventional name of God in the Hebrew Bible. It is written with the four consonants: Yodh, He, Waw, He. This name is known as the Tetragrammaton (Greek for “the four letters”). Exodus 3:14 says this: “God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” The Hebrew name for God, Yahweh, is closely related to this verb “to be.” When Jesus says “I AM” (Greek Είμαι), He is making the claim to be the eternal, self-existent God of Israel. It is important to know that Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus is the son of God, and He is God. Jesus is between us and our Father. Only through Him can we be with our Father in heaven.

The Way (Greek, Ο τρόπος) (Hebrew, הדרך) - The main verse that is mentioned at the start is John 14:6 where Jesus says “I am the way”. Jesus says multiple times in scripture to follow Him. It is very clear that Jesus is the only way to the Father. You might ask these questions, “How do we follow? How do we be with the Father?” You do this by accepting Jesus into your heart. Acts 16:31 says “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved”. God is infinite and eternal, He can’t die so He sent His Son to die for our sins. He was Human and perfect so He can pay the price. Jesus is the Bridge, He created a way to the Father with His sacrifice.

The truth (Greek, Η Αλήθεια) (Hebrew, האמת) - Jesus being the truth is not just Him being a prophet or a teacher, but the embodiment of God’s perfect, unchanging reality. Knowing Jesus is knowing the truth itself, leading to a freedom that comes from understanding God’s heart. John 8:32 says “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. All God’s wisdom and knowledge reside.

The life (Greek, Η ζωή) (Hebrew, החיים) - Jesus, claiming to be the source of life, declared His authority over life and death, promising eternal life to His followers. This deliverance was spiritual, freeing believers from sin and death.

Question: How does understanding Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life" shape your relationship with God the Father and influence how you live your faith each day?

Try This: This week, take time each day to follow Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life.” Start by reading John 14:6 each morning. As you go through your day, pause to ask yourself: “Am I walking in His way right now?” When making choices, remind yourself of His truth and let it guide your actions. In the evening, reflect on one way you experienced His life giving you peace or direction, and thank God for drawing you closer to Him through Jesus.

His Atoning Sacrifice on the Cross

1 John 2:2 says, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” Jesus died on the cross for all sins—past, present, and future. He paid the price for everyone. There are so many things that we cannot fully comprehend. We will never completely understand what Jesus endured and gave up for us.

“What the Atoning Sacrifice Meant to Jesus” by Gerald N. Lund, edited by Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and Kent P. Jackson. Published on the Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University. (https://rsc.byu.edu/my-redeemer-lives/what-atoning-sacrifice-meant-jesus)

I did not write this material, but I believe it adds depth to the understanding of His sacrifice. Holzapfel explains that Christ’s atoning sacrifice was not only about bearing the sins of the world but also about experiencing the full measure of human suffering, loneliness, and separation. He emphasizes that Jesus’ willingness to submit to the Father’s will—even when faced with unimaginable pain—demonstrates the infinite nature of His love and the personal cost of our salvation.

By reflecting on this, we see that the atonement was not a distant or abstract act. It was deeply personal to Jesus and personal for each of us. He chose to endure the agony of Gethsemane, the scourging, and the crucifixion so that we might be reconciled to God. His sacrifice bridges the gap created by sin, allowing us to approach the Father with confidence and hope.

Question: How does knowing the depth of Jesus’ personal suffering and love during the atonement affect your gratitude and the way you live out your faith?

Try This: This week, take time to read 1 John 2:2 and then reflect on Holzapfel’s insights. Consider writing a short prayer of thanks to Jesus for what He endured for you personally. Spend a few minutes in quiet meditation on the cost of your salvation and how it changes your daily walk with God.

His resurrection

Before the Cross: The night before His crucifixion, Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples (Matthew 26:17-20; Mark 14:12-17; Luke 22:7-16), during which He washed their feet (John 13:1-17), revealed that Judas would betray Him (Matthew 26:21-25; John 13:21-30), and instituted the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of His sacrifice (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  Afterward, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46). Deeply grieved and distressed, He sweated drops of blood as He anticipated bearing the weight of humanity’s sin (Luke 22:44). Though He asked God if the suffering could pass, He surrendered to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:39-42). He was then betrayed by Judas (Matthew 26:47-50), arrested (Mark 14:43-46), beaten and mocked (Luke 22:63-65; Matthew 26:67-68), and tried multiple times, though He was innocent (John 18:28-40; Luke 23:13-25).

On the Cross: Jesus was scourged, crowned with thorns, and nailed to the cross, suffering immense physical pain and humiliation (John 19:1-3; Matthew 27:27-31). He struggled to breathe as He hung there, experiencing the weight of sin and separation from the Father (Isaiah 53:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 27:46). Despite the crowds’ taunts and soldiers dividing His garments (Matthew 27:35-36; John 19:23-24), He forgave those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34) and entrusted His spirit to God before dying (Luke 23:46; John 19:30).

After the Cross: Jesus’ death paid the penalty for sin, and He was buried. On the third day, He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). His resurrection proved His divine authority (Romans 1:4) and offered eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 3:16).

Why Jesus is Important to Us: Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection are central to our faith because they show His love and obedience, provide forgiveness for our sins, and grant us the hope of eternal life. He bore the punishment we deserved, bridging the gap between humanity and God, and offers salvation to all who trust in Him.

Information - https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-last-hours.html