How do We Know that Jesus is the Messiah? by Carey Kinsolving on Creators.com

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How do We Know that Jesus is the Messiah?

I asked this question to children as part of the Children's International Arts Festival. It's an online festival at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org that gives children incentives to study the Bible. Alexandria Dubinin, 12, wrote a wonderful essay that won her family of six a dude ranch vacation at Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch in Yucca, Ariz. Here is her winning essay:

"Jesus gave us many signs to prove that we was the Messiah. He fulfilled prophecies, performed miracles and changed peoples' lives.

"We know Jesus is the Messiah because Jesus knew who Nathanael was and what he was doing before Phillip had introduced him to Jesus. Through this story, we can be sure that Jesus knows who we are and what we are doing every day. Only God has the ability to do this.

"Another way we know that Jesus is the Messiah is because he fulfilled all the prophecies that were made many years before Jesus came to the earth. One of the earliest prophecies was made in Deuteronomy 18:15,18. It tells us that the Lord will raise up a prophet who will know everything. 'A prophet' refers to Jesus, and Jesus knows everything: past, present and future.

"Another prophecy is found in Isaiah 9:6-7. It says that the Lord will send a king who will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. He will reign forever in peace and justice. Through these prophecies and others, we know Jesus is the Messiah. He is the only way to salvation.

"Yet another way Jesus shows us that he is the Messiah is through the many miracles that he performed, miracles that only God can do. Jesus healed the sick, turned water into wine and changed peoples' lives. Jesus will continue to change our lives when we choose to follow him.

"Unfortunately, many people do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah despite all these signs.

Many have never even heard. That is why it is our job as Christians to share the good news that Jesus is the Messiah and what he did for us to all the ends of the earth."

I like the way Alexandria developed her essay. We have prophecy, miracles and changed lives. These three validate the messianic claims of Jesus Christ. Isn't it amazing that most people never take the time to investigate these claims?

Author and Oxford don C.S. Lewis is famous for his statement that Jesus Christ is either a liar, a lunatic or God. He can't be just a good man or a prophet because Jesus clearly claimed to be God (John 10:22-33). Good men and true prophets don't lie. If Jesus wasn't God, he was either the greatest deceiver of all time or a mad man.

When the Apostle Paul wrote his first letter to Corinthian Christians, he boasted that Jesus appeared to more than 500 men at once in his resurrection body (I Corinthians 15:6). He even said most of the 500 were still alive at the time of his writing. Jesus' proclamation of victory over death wasn't done in a dark corner. He dared his readers to validate his claims.

Think about this: The claims of Jesus Christ backed by predictive prophecy, recorded miracles and transformed lives deserve thorough investigation. Memorize this truth: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Ask this truth: Is Jesus your Messiah?

Listen to a talking book, download the "Kids Color Me Bible" for free, watch Kid TV Interviews and travel around the world by viewing the "Mission Explorers Streaming Video" at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. To find out more about Carey Kinsolving and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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