As a little boy, I remember sitting on my father’s lap, listening to him talk about Jesus. My father would open the Bible in our living room, and read the stories of the Savior who walked on water, healed the sick, and loved the unlovable. One of my favorite stories was when Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, counted the sheep and found one missing. He went out over the hills in the darkness, searching until He found the lost sheep and brought it back safely. The way my father described it, I could almost see Jesus climbing over the rugged terrain, His lantern cutting through the night, and His joy when He found that single sheep. Those moments shaped my understanding of who Jesus is. My mother played a part as well, singing hymns that spoke of His kindness, mercy, and love. I can still hear her voice singing the words of “Jesus Loves Me” or “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Together, my parents painted a picture of Jesus that would stay with me for a lifetime.

Yet, as I grew older, I realized that not everyone has had the opportunity to hear these life-changing stories. Today, nearly 2 billion people in the world have yet to hear about Jesus. This staggering number represents individuals, families, and communities who don’t know the Good Shepherd who came to seek and save the lost. Even in America, a nation purported to be founded on biblical principles, there are countless individuals who don’t know who Jesus Christ is. You may pass them in the grocery store, see them in your neighborhood, or sit next to them at work. This reality stirs my heart and motivates me to share the message of Jesus wherever I can because His story is one of hope and redemption that everyone needs to hear.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Who is Jesus?” I encourage you to read the Gospel accounts of His life. Matthew’s Gospel, specifically, offers a beautiful narrative of who Jesus is—the long-awaited Messiah, a compassionate teacher, and a Savior who gave His life for the sins of the world. In its opening chapters, Matthew connects Jesus to the promises made to Abraham and David and shows us that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with His people.

Jesus is the Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and laid in a humble manger in Bethlehem. At His baptism, God declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” This divine affirmation emphasizes Jesus’s unique identity as fully God and fully man. During His time on earth, Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, fulfilling God’s law in every way. His teaching captivated crowds, His wisdom confounded the religious leaders, and His love transformed lives. Most significantly, He willingly went to the cross to save humanity from sin. On the third day, He rose again, defeating death and offering eternal life to all who believe in Him. The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the ultimate proof of who Jesus is.

Jesus was also a compassionate teacher and healer. He taught the crowds with authority, sharing parables and truths about God’s kingdom. Each parable—whether about a mustard seed, a lost coin, or a prodigal son—reveals a deeper truth about God’s love and His desire for a relationship with us. Jesus’ words were not just profound; they were life-changing. He invited people to come to Him with their burdens, promising rest for their souls. Beyond His teaching, Jesus demonstrated God’s love through miraculous acts of healing. He restored sight to the blind, cleansed lepers of their disease, made the lame walk again, and even raised the dead to life. These miracles were not just acts of compassion but signs that pointed to His divine nature and mission. When Jesus calmed the storm with His word, His disciples marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Finally, Jesus is the King and Judge. He is the King of kings, seated at the right hand of God, who will one day return to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom is one of righteousness, peace, and joy, and He invites everyone to become part of it through faith in Him. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the coming judgment, where He will separate those who followed Him from those who didn’t.  He will reward and extending His grace to those who placed their trust in Him, but those who didn’t follow him will be put into eternal fire and punishment This picture of Jesus as both a loving Savior and a righteous Judge reminds us of the gravity of our response to Him.

To truly know Jesus, take the time to read about Him in the Bible. Start with Matthew’s Gospel, but don’t stop there. Mark’s Gospel offers a fast-paced account of His ministry, emphasizing His actions and miracles. Luke, the physician, provides a detailed and compassionate narrative, highlighting Jesus’ interactions with the marginalized and outcasts. John, the beloved disciple, writes with the aim of showing us that Jesus is the Son of God who gives eternal life. Each Gospel offers a unique perspective, but together they provide a comprehensive picture of who Jesus is.

These Gospels are not just ancient texts; they are living words that reveal the One who offers hope, peace, and salvation to all who seek Him. If you’re searching for answers, take a step of faith and open your Bible. The story of Jesus is the greatest story ever told, and it’s a story that can change your life forever. Let the Good Shepherd who sought the one lost sheep guide you to the way, the truth, and the life found in Him.

—Harold R. Troyer