1. Jesus is the Son of God
God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons within one being (aka God).
In the case of Jesus, especially when we talk about the Trinity, His distinct persona is often referred to as the Son of God.
He’s called this because, when He was born into human history, He was God manifested into human form. Meaning, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit:
Luke 1:35 (NLT): The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” [Emphasis mine.]
Matthew 1:18-21 (NLT): This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” [Emphasis mine.]
Now, how is Jesus being the Son of God an example of God’s love and goodness?
As it says in Matthew 1 (above), “[Jesus] will save his people from their sins.”
In His grace and mercy, God sent Jesus to die for our sins, in our place.
2. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
The title of “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” refers to the fact that Jesus - who is part of the Triune of God - has absolute power and authority over all of Creation.
In other words, He is the King (i.e., highest authority) over all other rulers and powers.
In Matthew 28:18 (NLT), Jesus said the following to His disciples after the resurrection: Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
Eventually, this will become known to everyone (not just those who believe in Him):
1 Timothy 6:16 (NLT): “At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”
Revelation 17:14 (NLT): “Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”
Revelation 19:16 (NLT): “On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”
What does this title have to do with God’s love and goodness?
We can find assurance in the fact that God (of whom Jesus is a part of within the Trinity) is:
More powerful than anything or anyone we encounter.
Is a safe and steadfast refuge. (More so than anything earthly.)
Also, when Jesus returns to earth, this will become clear to everyone (as we see in the Revelation verses).
As such, we can be assured of the victory to come. The story ends with God’s original design, based on His love and goodness, completely winning over sin, evil, and all the things that have existed because of them:
Revelation 21:4 (NLT): “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
3. Jesus is Your Savior
The title of Savior refers to the fact that Jesus died on the cross, for our sins, so that we could be fully reconciled with God.
1 John 4:14 (NLT): “Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”
Acts 5:31 (NLT): “Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.”
Sin cannot exist alongside God because He is holy - which meant, after the fall back in the Garden of Eden, we humans faced being separated from God for all eternity.
Rather than let this happen, and rather than place His wrath on us (because while He loves us, God hates sin because He is holy [Psalm 11:5]), in His love, grace, mercy, and goodness, God the Father sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins instead.
It’s the blood of Jesus that makes us clean and allows us to be in God’s presence.
Isaiah 1:18 (NLT): “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Psalm 103:11-12 (NLT): “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
While Jesus died on the cross so that all humans would have the opportunity to be in relationship with God, it’s not an automatic gift. Nor is it something that God will push on us.
We need to, as individuals, decide to accept that Jesus died for our sins and confess Him as our Lord and Savior. Even though Jesus is the only way to have eternal life and closeness with God:
John 14:6 (NLT): Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
4. Jesus is Your Friend
Did you know that Jesus considers you His friend? Even though He’s also your God, Lord and Savior, and the like?
In John 15:13-15 (MSG), Jesus says: “Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.”
While only certain people prior to Jesus were named friends by God, here Jesus is saying that this has changed.
Regardless, God has - and always will be - a God of relationship. He doesn’t play down His sovereignty or holiness, for example. But He does deeply desire to have a personal relationship with us.
In the verses we just read, Jesus is talking about an open and loving relationship. Keep in mind that the use of the word “command” is not done in the way of a harsh taskmaster. It’s tied to abiding in Jesus and His love.
A few verses above, in John 15:9-10 (MSG), Jesus says, “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.” [Emphasis mine.]
5. Jesus is Your Guide
“Guide” is not an official biblical title for Jesus. But I’m using it here as it clearly speaks to the fact that He leads us through life.
In terms of the Bible, the word “Christian” means “follower of Christ.”
In order to be a Christian, and be reconciled to God the Father, you must accept that Jesus died for our sins and defeated death.
However, Jesus - along with the Holy Spirit - are our guides.
Psalm 32:8 (NLT): The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 119:105 (NLT): “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 25:5 (MSG): “Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren’t you?”
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit after he ascended to Heaven (after His resurrection).
In John 14:16 (NLT), before He was arrested, Jesus told His disciples: “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
Then, after His resurrection, we see the following in John 20:20-22 (NLT), “As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.’ Then he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”