How do you know that Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah?

This morning as I read the first chapter of Mark, I was reminded of how much evidence there is in scripture for the one who doubts. If you’re having trouble believing that Jesus is who He says He is, you might consider the testimony of the people who walked and talked with Him. In other words, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. After all, these are eyewitness accounts of real people, preserved for us.

As I read Mark’s opening words, I feel a sense of urgency, as if he wants to leave no doubt with his readers who he is introducing and what this book will be about. In just the first forty-five verses, he presents ten affirmations that can only lead us to conclude that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God sent from heaven.

#1 – The Old Testament scriptures (vs. 1-3).

#2 – The testimony of John the Baptist (vs. 7-8).

#3 – The affirmation of the Father and the Spirit at His baptism (vs. 10-11).

#4 – The intense, personal temptation by Satan (vs. 12-13).

#5 – The words of Jesus’ own preaching, proclaiming the kingdom of God is at hand (v. 15).

#6 – The immediate willingness of the disciples to follow (vs. 16-20).

#7 – The Jews’ recognition of the authoritative nature of His teaching (vs. 22,27).

#8 – Jesus’ power and authority over demonic spirits (vs. 23-27).

#9 – Jesus’ power and authority over sickness and disease (vs. 31-34,41-42).

#10 – Jesus’ own proclamation of the purpose for which He came (v. 39).

Mark is quite clear as to who he believes Jesus is. The events he relates in his opening chapter aren’t sequential, but I believe he chose these specific things under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for a reason. He wants to establish that Jesus is no ordinary man, and far more than a kind and wise teacher. He is the Son of God, sent by the Father, the fulfillment of the many, many prophesies in the Old Testament. He has power over the natural world and the spirit world, and He came with a specific purpose – to bring the kingdom of God to those who are willing to repent and believe.

Who do you believe Jesus is? Why?

Have you examined the evidence that has been preserved about Him, both in history and in scripture?

When our lives are over, all of us will stand before God and answer the question, “What did you believe about my Son?” Whether or not we have opened our minds and hearts to truly examine the evidence will determine where we spend eternity.