October 22, 2023—Jesus Christ of Nazareth remains the only spiritual figure who profoundly impacts humanity. Whether you perceive Him as your Savior, a profound prophet, or a historical figure, Jesus Christ is your Savior. He remains essentially intertwined with the spiritual world. His life, ministry, teachings, and the record of these events in the Holy Bible have ignited numerous discussions and explorations of the spiritual world. This article will discuss a multifaceted journey to examine the connection between Jesus Christ and the spiritual world as depicted in the Holy Bible and how His earthly ministry, supported by biblical verses, shapes our spiritual understanding.
Worthy is Jesus Christ
The Old Testament explains the law, and the New Testament describes how the law was fulfilled. You and I can try to fulfill these laws, but everyone falls short of this victory. This is proven in Revelation 5:2-7 when John experiences a spiritual encounter with a vision. He is asked by God who is worthy of opening the scroll and loosening the seven seals on it. Each seal represents the seven spirits of God. John weeps because, “And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.” (Revelation 5:3). We cannot fulfill the law because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Jesus Christ was the only One to have fulfilled the law in perfection, bearing our sins and taking them to the cross. He thought of you, me, and all other believers who have and will walk the earth.
Notice how Revelation 5:3 says that no one in heaven, on the earth, or under it was worthy to open and read the scroll. Yet, Revelation 5:6-7 makes it clear that Jesus Christ is worthy. According to the Holy Bible, Jesus sits at the right hand of God. How can Christ be worthy if He is in heaven? This is because Christ is in heaven sitting on the right hand of God, but He is also in every believer through the Holy Spirit.
These three, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, are three in one. This intricate connection between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit can only be made possible through Him. God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit glorify one another. John 12:28 says, “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” In John 16:14, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will glorify Him because He will declare things of Jesus to us. What is of Jesus? The Holy Bible says that all things that God has are Jesus’s (John 16:14).
To demonstrate the intricate connection of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, let us look at Jesus Christ in the flesh. His ministry revolved around the law in the Old Testament, which has the fundamental themes of mercy, grace, love, and communion. You read earlier that no one could fulfill the law, and all fell short of God’s glory. Therefore, God recognizes the need for humanity to have a Savior to pay for their sin debts, which is death (Romans 6:23). The recognition of God and sending His Son is both love and mercy. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).
Jesus Christ gives you grace by paying the debt for your sin through the cross. Then, Jesus Christ sends the Helper to all saved people, which provides you with communion as a Helper. The Holy Spirit speaks only truth to you; He will not tell a lie because He is not capable of such things. Paul said, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentles, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5: 22-23).
Jesus Christ’s Ministry
Jesus’s life, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension fulfilled the law that God laid out long before you or I were created in God’s image. Throughout the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Jesus said that He would fulfill the Laws, Prophets, and Psalms, and He did (Matthew 5:17, 7:12, 22:40, Luke 24:44, and John 1:45). Jesus also said to the unbelieving Jews that if they believed in Moses, they would believe in Jesus Christ, because Moses prophesied about Jesus (John 5:46-47). The same applies to all the prophets.
But believing in Jesus Christ is not enough. It is written that if you love Him, keep His commandments (John 14:15). Something worth considering is that when Jesus Christ said this, he was not talking just about what Jesus said, but what God and Jesus said. The Holy Spirit Christ reveals to you when you have sinned. That remorse you feel is the conviction of sin that the Holy Spirit does. Therefore, it is not just the teachings of Christ but also God and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ the Cornerstone
Jesus Christ serves as the cornerstone of Christianity. Ephesians 2:20 says,
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Jesus was rejected as the chief cornerstone by the Jewish community to fulfill what is prophesied in Psalm 118:22:
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
A Closer Look at Jesus
One of the most intriguing debates surrounding Jesus Christ's existence revolves around believing in His dual nature—being fully God and fully human. Drawing from the Holy Bible, Christians assert that Jesus is the Son of God who incarnated as a human to bridge the gap between God and humanity. The Samaritan woman said, “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” (John 4:20). Jesus Christ told her:
Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
(John 4:21-24)
Before Jesus, talking to God was usually through a priest and sacrifices. After Jesus, this was no longer required, and you can now communicate with God freely. Jesus Christ said that no one can come to the Father except through Him (Jesus Christ) because He (Jesus Christ) is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). This concept underscores the notion that the spiritual world is not remote but relatively accessible, waiting for a personal connection with God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior.
Miracles and the Supernatural
Many accounts in the New Testament detail the miracles performed by Jesus, from the transformation of water into wine to the healing of the sick and the resurrection of the dead. These miracles have instigated discussions regarding the supernatural and the intersection of the spiritual and physical worlds, as highlighted in the Holy Bible. They also encourage contemplation on the existence of God and the potential for miracles in our lives. Mark 5:41-42 illustrates one such miraculous event: “Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.”
Parables and Spiritual Wisdom
Jesus Christ frequently employed parables to convey profound spiritual truths. According to Matthew 13:13, Jesus Christ speaking in parables was not a preference but a legal requirement as it fulfilled Isaiah 6:9-10 which states:
And He said, “Go, and tell this people:
‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
“Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.”
Through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, these parables are revealed as more than mere lessons; they are gateways to the nature and existence of the spiritual world. They prompt individuals to look beyond the surface of reality and seek a deeper spiritual understanding. One parable is found in Matthew 13:44 (NKJV): "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Most people question the existence of God. That is natural as God “has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). So, God is not going to put the kingdom of heaven out in front of our physical eyes, nor is He going to reveal everything that He does to us. Why? God is looking for people who will worship in spirit and truth, as you read previously. We come to know the kingdom of heaven in our spirit and soul rather than through our flesh. Yet, all who accept Jesus Christ rejoice (“for joy”), and we get rid of our old life (“sells all that he has”) to be a new creation, for we were bought with a price- Jesus Christ (“and buys that field.”).
The Impact on Modern Spirituality
The teachings of Jesus Christ, as presented in the Holy Bible, have significantly influenced various spiritual and philosophical traditions outside of Christianity. His emphasis on love and compassion resonates across religious boundaries. Today, individuals from diverse faiths and backgrounds find inspiration in His life and message, reinforcing that the spiritual world transcends religious constraints, as the Holy Bible describes.
We know that one day, every knee will bow in Jesus’s name (Philippians 2:10). For this to be accomplished, the gospel must be preached throughout the world (Matthew 23:14, Mark 14:9). One day, all will have at least heard the name of Jesus Christ, but not all who hear of Him will receive Jesus Christ as their Savior (Matthew 22:14).
The Quest for Spiritual Enlightenment
Jesus's life and connection to the spiritual world have inspired countless individuals on their spiritual journey. Whether through introspection, meditation, or prayer, all seek to find God, as you read in Ecclesiastes 3:11. However, many do not know that it is God they seek. They look left and right, up and down for answers, but do not behind or ahead of them. The only way they will find Jesus is through Christians.
Conclusion
Jesus Christ is the light in the darkness and is our Savior. To convict you of sin and to cause you to believe in Him, Jesus Christ gives you the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus Christ fulfilled the law, God gave His only Son. All who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior receive the Holy Spirit. The interconnection of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, along with His relationship with humanity, serves as a reminder of the connection between humanity and God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Whether you regard Jesus as the Son of God or a prophet, His earthly ministry continues to shape our approach to the mysteries of God and our place within it.
Accepting of Jesus
Are you ready to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today? If so, say this prayer aloud:
God, I confess that Jesus came in the flesh and blood, paid the price for my sins, died on the cross, rose on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and sent the Holy Spirit to help me understand Your ways. For that, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord, and I welcome the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen!
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