“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)

This verse reminds me that Christianity is marked by five great events. Everything in the Old Testament points to Jesus as the Messiah and the New Testament reveals the grace of God through these five great events centered on Christ.

First is the birth of Christ. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23). Jesus was born and the Son of God clothed Himself with humanity, becoming in every way like we are except without sin.

Second is the death of Christ. Jesus lived a perfect life, fulfilling all God’s righteous requirements, and then in an incredible act of love offered Himself in payment for our sins. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

Third is the resurrection of Christ, through which he destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light. (2 Timothy 1:10). “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

Fourth is the ascension of Christ to heaven where he “lives to intercede for us.” (Hebrews 7:25). He is our advocate and our mediator.

Fifth is the second coming of Christ, the only one of the five events that hasn’t happened yet, but is certain to come.  As the angels proclaimed at his ascension, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11). And all who trust him will enter his rest and live with him in glory forever. 

At the center of these events is the resurrection. Christ’s resurrection secured his victory over sin and death and opened the door to eternal life for all who come to him in faith. Praise God! Become a Christ follower today and rest in the security of these five great events!