Christ’s Life – Jesus is the Answer!

This month we are going to be looking at Jesus, who He is, and what He came to give us. He came to bring us everlasting life (John 3:16; 1 John 2:25), abundant life (John 10:10), and so much more. Today we are going to look at His life followed by His death, resurrection, and ascension in the upcoming weeks. Focusing on Jesus is always timely, not just because of the Easter season we are in or the circumstances in the world today, i.e., the fear caused by the coronavirus, sickness, disease and death, and the lack of provision related to trying to contain and stop it’s spread. During this time of the year, the world would typically look to springtime, Easter bunnies, candy, and egg hunts. However, we as believers look at Jesus and His death and resurrection as the answer to life! There are answers and hope in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. The world needs to hear about Jesus today.

Jesus was present at creation and is the Creator and sustainer of all things (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1-3; Genesis 1:26-28). Jesus declared who He is, the Bread of Life (John 6:35), the Good Shepherd (John 10:11),  the Light of the world (John 8:12), the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6), the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last (Revelation 1:8), the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), the True Vine (John 15:1), and Teacher and Lord (John 13:13).

He claimed to be God and proved it by the works that He did. No one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6), and by the Father who draws him (John 6:44, 65). If you are reading this, then He is drawing you!

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1:18 (NKJV)

Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His Word. Your father, Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet 50 years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them,” Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:54 – 58 (NKJV)

“I and My Father are One.” Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You being a Man, make Yourself God.” John 10:30 – 33 (NKJV)

“Do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” John 10:36 – 38 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV)

Jesus was both 100 % God and 100% Man, both divine and human, while on the earth. He is the eternal God; God the Son, the Word, who became a human being (John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 13:8) but without sin. He voluntarily accepted the limitations and restrictions of being human, i.e., He could only be in one place at a time, and needed to eat, rest, and sleep. He could feel pain, bleed, and die. He functioned as a man anointed with the Spirit of God and performed His miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1; Matthew 12:28;  Acts 10:38). He chose to submit to the Father in His position or office on earth (John 5:19, 30; 6:38) and deprived Himself of individual rights as God the Son.

Jesus was born a King. Old Testament prophets foretold His birth. The prophet Isaiah prophesied that of the increase of His government and peace, there would be no end, and He would sit on the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6, 7). Jesus is the King of the kingdom, and He is the kingdom. He said, “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20 – 21). He told many parables about the kingdom of God (Matthew 13) and demonstrated how it works (Matthew 12:28). However, Jesus declared that His kingdom was not of this world but a spiritual kingdom that is redemptive (John 18:36 – 37).

Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit after His water baptism before starting His earthly ministry (Luke 3:21- 22). In the Hebrew – “the anointing” and “Messiah” come from the same root word; in the Greek-the name for Christ, Cristos means “the Anointed One.” In English, anointed means – “to pour over, to smear or rub into,” therefore, Jesus Christ is the Anointed One and His Anointing.

Jesus had the Holy Spirit living within Him from the moment of conception (Luke 1:35), but He didn’t work one miracle until the Holy Spirit came upon Him (Luke 3:21-22; John 2:11). Only after He received the Anointing did He preach, heal the sick, and do the mighty works of God. Jesus had the Spirit without measure (John 3:27-36). The sevenfold Spirit of God (the One Spirit of God expressing Himself in seven different ways)  rested upon Him (Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6).

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18 -19 (NKJV)

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2 (NKJV)

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10:28 (NKJV)

What was His mission on earth? He healed the sick and all oppressed by the devil, showed us the Father,  revealed the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 4:17; Luke 11:20; Acts 10:38), and died on the cross in our place to reconcile us to God (John 12:27-33; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Colossians 1:19-20).  He came to serve, give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), and to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). He did all of these things out of love, not because it was His ministry assignment!

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria, and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:23 – 24 (NKJV)

God the Father sent His Son Jesus to the earth to represent Him because Jesus is just like Him. Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus came to reveal God’s nature, His love, mercy, goodness, righteousness, kindness, etc., and to restore our relationship with Him. He came to bring us peace with God (Romans 5:1). God’s love is unconditional but not His acceptance. To be acceptable to God, we must be born again (John 3:1-21).

For Christ to be the Mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24), He had to come like us as flesh and blood so that through His death He might destroy the devil who had the power of death over us and held us in bondage to the fear of death all our lifetime (Hebrews 2:14 – 15). Therefore, He had to be made like us so that He would be in all things a merciful and faithful High Priest in matters about God to make atonement for our sins and to reconcile us to God (Hebrews 2:14-17). He was sinless and therefore was a perfect sacrifice that fulfilled the law.

Jesus went everywhere, preaching the good news of the kingdom (Luke 8:1) and doing good works (Acts 10:38). He took His disciples with Him and taught them about the kingdom of God and how to bring this life-giving kingdom of God from heaven to the earth. He taught them to pray that God’s kingdom would come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9 – 13). Then He sent them out (Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-20). He included us with His Words to the disciples before returning to the Father because He said He would be with them until the end of the age. Therefore, this commission is for us.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18 – 20 (NKJV)

As a believer, you have the Holy Spirit living within you ever since you were born-again. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you through the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, you are anointed for supernatural ministry just like Jesus was to do the Father’s works. We will talk more about the Holy Spirit and the Baptism with the Holy Spirit next month.

Forgiveness is an integral part of the kingdom, forgiveness from God, and giving forgiveness to others (Matthew 26:28; 1 John 1:9; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 1:7; Matthew 6:14 – 15; Mark 11:25 Colossians 1:13- 14; 3:13; Ephesians 4:31 – 32).  Forgiveness brings healing and wholeness to our spirit, soul, and body (2 Corinthians 5:17; James 5:14 – 16). Very often, we are sick because we have wounds in our soul (mind, will, and emotions) caused by our sin, or sin that was done against us by someone else or from circumstances. This sin can lead to hurt, unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment. The Lord wants to heal our soul and body, as well as our spirit. He can do this as we receive His forgiveness and offer forgiveness to others!

God created us to have a relationship with Him. Our union with Him completes us. We have a place in our heart made only for Him, and without Him, our lives will be empty and out of order. Nothing else can fill this place in our hearts and give us satisfaction, e.g., relationships, money, work, religion, prestige, power, etc. The hunger to fill this place draws us to Him, to His love and our need for Him. Knowing and loving Him affects everything in our lives! 

There may be someone reading this blog who hasn’t received Jesus as their personal Savior. The starting place to receive God’s love, forgiveness, and all that He is and the abundant life He wants to give to you are through His Son Jesus (John 10:10). I would like to provide you with this fantastic opportunity to ask Jesus into your heart to be your Savior and Lord.

 The Bible says that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved and that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9 -10, 13). If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

If you would like to experience the love of God and to have peace with Him through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, pray this suggested prayer out loud right now. You can also pray in your own words. Remember, it is not words or prayer alone that will save you. Prayer is a way to reach out to the Lord and must be done in faith (completely trusting in Him to save you). Christ will save you if you pray these or similar words in faith.

Heavenly Father,

Your Word says that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. I ask You to forgive me for my sins. I want to turn from them and turn to You. I am calling on You and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, and He is alive today. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me the Holy Spirit to live inside of me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Your healing power in my life. I now belong to You. Help me to live for You and obey You all the days of my life.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

If you prayed the prayer for salvation in faith, you are now a child of God and are in His family (John 1:12). Check out my website for steps on how to grow in your relationship with Jesus:  https://alexiscarucci.com/welcome-to-gods-family/

Jesus is everything we need. We can see throughout the Gospels that He is our healer, our deliverer, our provider, and our protector, etc. Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Whatever you need, He is waiting for you to come to Him today. Jesus came with grace and truth (John 1:17). We receive everything from God by His grace (unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favor) through faith.

There is no lack in the kingdom of God. Provision isn’t scarce (Philippians 4:19). Multiplication is part of the kingdom economy (Genesis 1:28; 22:17; Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-39; Acts 6:7; 12:24). The kingdom is based on covenant and is a protective covering. God will not withhold the kingdom from us!

For the LORD, God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 (NKJV)

“And as you go, preach, saying ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:7 – 8 (NKJV)

Accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior give us so much. We receive His life (John 5:21, 39-40;  6:57, 63; 10:10, 28; 17:3; Romans 5:17; 1 John 4:9). What does that mean? First, it means that our spirit man has been born again (John 3:3-7), and we are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit now dwells within us (John 14:16 – 17), and we are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:5-7), Christ is in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We receive all that He is and provided for us through His finished work on the cross. Second; we receive His victory (1 John 5:4-5; 2 Corinthians 15:54 – 57;  2:14; Romans 8:37; Hebrews 2:14 – 15).

I needed to go to the grocery store recently to get some food and supplies. I had to consider what would be the wisest thing to do to protect myself during the coronavirus pandemic. I decided that I would follow the recommended guidelines from our government and the CDC (Center for Disease Control). I am a retired nurse and took into consideration what I knew about protecting myself from germs and illnesses as well. I decided I would wear clothes that would cover me and my hair, wear nitrile gloves and a mask at the store, practice social distancing, and take hand sanitizer with me. I planned to remove the clothing and wash them when I got home.

As I was getting ready to go, a couple of scriptures came to mind: The greater One lives in me (1 John 4:4), and as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17). When I got into my car, I heard Holy Spirit tell me to go back inside, take Holy Communion, and pray Psalm 91 over myself. So that is what I did. Afterward, I had a deeper revelation of who I am in Christ and His life that dwells within me. I have the same Spirit in me that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). Resurrection power and life live in me!

Jesus didn’t put on protective covering, and He wasn’t afraid to go out among the sick! The Anointing and the glory of the Lord were upon Him, in Him, and released through Him. When He touched a leper, He didn’t get leprosy or become unclean. But the leper became clean and well! When a sick person touched Him, He didn’t become ill or infected, but healing virtue flowed out through Him to heal and deliver them! I realized that because I am a representative of Christ, I needed to reconsider how I was looking at the situation. I should not be looking at it just in the natural using worldly wisdom only. I live and function in a spiritual, supernatural realm!

I am a born-again follower of Jesus Christ who lays hands on the sick, and they recover, who casts out demons (Matthew 28:18-20), and I walk in the authority and power that He has given me (Luke 10:19; Psalm 91:13; Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18-19). I do believe that we still need to listen and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and leading where ever we go and in whatever we do. He knows the level of our faith, and it would be foolish to do something that we thought we should do but didn’t do in faith. We will discuss the authority and power we have as the body of Christ later this month.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:12 – 14 (NKJV)

Our lives should reflect the life of Christ to the world around us. We are to bring the kingdom of heaven to the earth! He has already won the victory, and we are to enforce it. Every time we take Holy Communion, we are receiving His life and declaring the victory He has won (John 6:53-58; Luke 22:19-20)!

The devil has no authority to affect our lives unless we give it to him because Jesus has all authority and has given it to us (Matthew 28:18; Luke 10:19).

Use your faith! Faith in God and His Word brings victory, breakthrough, receives strength, favor, finances, healing, deliverance, restoration, etc. and does the impossible (Mark 11:22-24; Matthew 17:20; Hebrews 11:1, 6). Faith comes and grows by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17). We release our faith by our words in saying what we believe and by corresponding actions (2 Corinthians 4:13; James 2:17). Make sure you guard and protect your faith by what you see and hear. Don’t give doubt and unbelief any opportunity to come in!

There is power in declaring the Word of God over our lives, circumstances, and the darkness that we see in the world around us. Speak to the mountain, and it will move, healing and provision will come, and the devil will flee! Speak and declare His victory today.

Jesus said that the Words that He speaks are Spirit and life (John 6:63). He is the living Word (John 1:1, 14). We need to build our lives on Jesus, who is the rock and a firm foundation (Mark 12:10; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:4, 6). When we hear His Words and do them, we are like a wise man building his house on the rock.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV)

Jesus is a firm foundation, even in the midst of the storm of the coronavirus. He is the one thing that won’t change because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He won’t forsake or abandon us. We are not alone. Jesus cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) and is with us in the middle of the storm. The safest place to be is with Jesus! The most important question isn’t, where is God? But who is God? The name of Jesus is above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). Praise also brings victory (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)! Don’t look at the storm, but focus on Jesus. Call upon Him and praise Him. He will calm the storm (Mark 4:35-41), and He is our Peace (John 14:27; 16:33; Isaiah 9:6; 26:3; 54:10; Philippians 4:7; Ephesians 2:14).

Jesus knew and understood that His Life was required as a sacrifice for the sins of man. At the height of His ministry and miracles, many of the Jewish leaders of His day feared Him because of the growing amount of followers and blasphemy because He claimed to be the Son of God. Many Jews came to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. But in the end, the Jewish leaders persuaded the Roman governor and the people to crucify Jesus. Next week we will look at Jesus’s death and crucifixion, but it isn’t the end of the story!

Go to my FaceBook page “Living the Abundant Life”: or my website at https://alexiscarucci.com to learn more about who Jesus is.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NKJV)