Why Jesus?
As an alumnus, I prize Columbia’s global diversity. As a Christian, I marvel how Jesus, a Middle-Eastern Jewish man from two millennia ago, draws followers from every nation. Some of them founded Columbia, Harvard, Yale and Princeton—havens for international students of any religion. Christians started such global humanitarian organizations as the Red Cross, Salvation Army and United Way. What explains Jesus’ unparalleled global impact?
Two millennia before Him, another man walked the same lands. In the Bible, God promised Abram that through his descendants “all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 22:18) God changed his name to Abraham [Father of a Multitude], saying, “I have made you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:5)
Abraham’s Jewish descendants flourished. But God’s prophets sent decried the choices they and other nations made. These prophets condemned selfishness, violence, oppression, and religious and political corruption. They warned that God must judge those who reject Him and His laws. No one, religious or not, is exempt—because all fall short.
The first Christians were all Jewish, but good news spread quickly. Today, Jesus’ followers are found in earth’s remotest corners.
These seem foreign thoughts now—so here is a question: If you are charitable, kind, and a good student, but you get a parking ticket, don’t you still have to pay the fine? Your good deeds won’t cancel the ticket. In God’s court of perfect justice we should also expect that a price must be paid for our many transgressions. Our good won’t simply cancel our bad.
These prophets brought good news, too: Isaiah wrote that God would send Messiah, His Savior, to suffer judgment in our place. He would be wounded for our sins…bruised for our iniquities…and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53)
The prophets said Messiah would be God’s Son, born to a virgin. Many disbelieved that God could have a Son. But the Psalmist prophesied: “I will proclaim the decree of the Lord…You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” (Psalm 2:6) Isaiah said, “the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel [God with us].” (Isaiah 7:14) “To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) No one but Jesus fulfills the multitude of Messianic prophecies.
The first Christians were all Jewish, but good news spread quickly. Today, Jesus’ followers are found in earth’s remotest corners. God has promoted global diversity for thousands of years. His promise to Abraham, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,” became reality through Jesus, his blood descendent.
Religious and political leaders rejected and executed Jesus on a Roman cross. But, this too, was pre-ordained by God and willingly carried out by His Son. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Some understandably argue that historic atrocities have been committed in Jesus’ name. But did He order these atrocities? Jesus in fact commanded Christians, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” (Matthew 5:44)
Religion often embodies efforts to earn our way to God. But Jesus reached out to us, leaving Heaven’s glory to offer Himself as a servant. Religious works and church attendance won’t save us. Forgiveness and eternal life are free gifts, not earned. Only a contrite heart and faith in Jesus will save us. “If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:32)
You may believe or disbelieve all this. Either way, do investigate the source—the Bible. You will find prophecies about Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures written long before His birth. We hope you will welcome into your life the Savior who came to seek and to save us—and all peoples of the world.
Anish Souri, Columbia SIPA ’03