The roles of Jesus Christ demonstrate that God’s mission and purpose is to save each of His children. His roles include:
- Son of God
- Redeemer of Mankind
- The Shepard of Souls
- A Judge of Mankind
“[H]is name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV).
The names and specific roles of Jesus Christ are many, yet each role denotes God’s desire to guide mankind back to dwell in His presence. This article discusses a few of the roles of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ Is the Son of God
“Then they all said, ‘Are You then the Son of God?’ So He said to them, ‘You rightly say that I am’” (Luke 22:70 NKJV).
God the Father introduced Jesus Christ several times throughout the scriptures saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5 NKJV). God the Father confirmed Jesus’ claims to be His Son and showed His love, honor, and respect for Jesus.
Jesus explained and demonstrated the characteristics of the Father so that we could understand God’s ways.
“Then they said to Him, ‘Where is Your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also’” (John 8:19 NKJV).
Few moments in scripture are more poignant than the references of Jesus speaking to His Father in prayer in the hours before His death, both in Gethsemane and on the cross.
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You...I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:1, 4, 26 NKJV).
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39 NKJV).
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46 NKJV).
As the Son of God, Jesus always submitted to His Father’s will.
Jesus Is the Savior and Redeemer of Mankind
At the close of His ministry, Jesus celebrated the Passover feast with His disciples in an event known as the Last Supper. There He explained the connection between His body and the bread, as well as the wine and His blood, both which would be freely given as a sacrifice for mankind a few hours later.
Next, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus took upon Himself the sins and pains of mankind and began to pay Justice’s horrific price in order to ransom mankind. This act, and the giving of His perfect life willingly on the cross, enable us to repent of our sins and become clean again.
"That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me" (John 17:21-23 NKJV).
The effects of Christ’s suffering, death, and subsequent resurrection include forgiveness for sins and the resurrection of mankind, making it possible for us to enter heaven with Him.
Jesus Christ Is the Shepherd of Converted Souls
The Savior also becomes a tender, guiding father to each human being endeavoring to learn God’s commandments. As the Way, the Truth, and the Life, He tenderly guides mankind back to God by sharing the guidelines necessary to dwell with God forever. “He will feed His flock like a shepherd;He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young” (Isaiah 40:11 NKJV).
Jesus Christ Will Judge Mankind
Jesus will return to the earth to reign in glory during the Millennium. He will judge all mankind.
"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son" (John 5:22 NKJV).
So Who Is Jesus Christ?
Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father. Jesus’ earthly life exemplified God’s love to man and taught man how to return to God. Responsible for the salvation of mankind, Jesus redeemed men from their sins. He lives today with a resurrected body of flesh and bones and will return to reign in a future day with power and great glory upon the earth. Jesus' ministry on earth perfectly testifies of the worth of each individual soul and of His Divine Sonship.