The Story of Jesus in 5 Words

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)

The story of Jesus in 5 words goes like this: Exalted. Humbled. Crucified. Raised. Exalted. He was exalted: Jesus pre-existed as God in heaven with full divine rights and infinite privilege. He was humbled: the King of all Kings chose to become a servant of men. He was crucified: he died a slow death by being nailed to a Roman cross through his wrists and his ankles and he took upon himself our guilt and sin though he was innocent. He was raised: God the Father, accepting Jesus’ sacrifice for sin and to make that victory complete over death, reached into the tomb in which Jesus was buried, and with power that he alone possesses, resurrected Jesus back to life. And he was exalted: there is coming a day when all us sinners and all creation, will bow before Christ.

So What?

The implications for Jesus’ resurrection are massive. It means God was here with us. God lived our pain. He understands our weakness. Jesus entered into our pain fully and defeated sin and death completely. It means this life is not all there is. It means this world matters and we matter and what happens to us when we die matters.

Here’s what it means for you and your story. It means that Jesus can change your life. Change your story. What is your story in 5 words? Home. Family. Career. Hobby. Marriage. Whatever. You are living your life. Your life matters. We want life words like: Successful. Admired. Healthy. Beautiful. Here are God’s words for us: Image-bearer. Sinner. Lost. Hopeless. Death. Judgment. That’s our story. On our own, that’s our future.

But Jesus came. He lived. He died. On the third day he was resurrected. Words for Jesus? Hero. Conqueror. Savior. Life-changer.

Jesus will change your life and your destiny. How? He also is the Promise-giver. Jesus promised to all who turn from their sin and believe in him as their personal Savior, that he will change our lives and our destinies. We were “sinner,” now we are “forgiven.” We were under the wrath of God but now we are under his love. We faced death as a terror but Jesus promises life eternal.

Jesus changes our words. Jesus changes our lives. Now everything has what we desperately long for—meaning. Life matters because it’s not all that is.

We are all sinners who were this and that, and who still struggle with this or that, but now by faith in Christ we have experienced God’s grace and forgiveness so that while we still struggle with these things, God doesn’t see us that way anymore. He’s forgiven us and made us new and we shall be this for all eternity.

Has Jesus changed your words? No? Would you like him to? How? Believe that Jesus died for your sins, he was buried, and on the third day he rose from the dead.

The highest became the lowest so that by becoming low, he could bring us up with him. That includes you—if you will believe.

©2013 Steve DeWitt. You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author, (2) any modifications are clearly marked, (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, (4) you include Bethel’s website address (www.bethelweb.org) on the copied resource.

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