Two thousand years ago a man set foot on our planet who claimed to be from a place beyond space and time.

Although he had no credentials or political backing, his life and words changed our world. His name is Jesus Christ.

While most great people simply fade into history books, Jesus of Nazareth is still the focus of thousands of publications, documentaries and media controversy.

Two billion people today claim to be his followers, yet many still wonder, “Who is the Real Jesus Christ?”

Was Jesus a Real Person?

Although some skeptics have called Jesus a myth, historians acknowledge he was a real person. In fact, nine non-Christian historians and writers mention Jesus within 150 years of his death, the same number who mention the contemporary Roman Emperor, Tiberius Caesar.

In addition to that, over five thousand eight hundred New Testament manuscripts tell us about Jesus’ life and words. That’s far more than for any other person in ancient history.

New Testament scholar, John A. T. Robinson concludes that the New Testament was originally written while eyewitnesses of Jesus would still have been alive.

Regarding the reliability of the accounts about Jesus he states, “The wealth of manuscripts, and above all the narrow interval of time between the writing and the earliest extant copies, make it by far the best attested text of any ancient writing in the world.”

So, who was this man, Jesus Christ, and why was so much written about him?

Was Jesus a Great Moral Teacher?

Of all the world’s great men, Jesus has been considered the supreme example of moral perfection in both his character and his teaching.

Jesus obeyed all of God’s commandments. And he selflessly demonstrated love and compassion to the needy.

Historian Will Durant have said of Jesus that “he lived and struggled unremittingly for ‘equal rights.’

Martin Luther King said of Jesus: “He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. He overcame evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love.”

And renowned French philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, wrote: “When Plato describes his imaginary righteous man . . . he describes exactly the character of Christ. . .. .”

Jesus’ impeccable moral character was reflected in his teaching. Whereas most moral teachers spoke of rules to live by, Jesus taught that our priority should be to love God and others above ourselves. A trait he continually demonstrated.

Was Jesus a Great Moral Teacher?

Of all the world’s great men, Jesus has been considered the supreme example of moral perfection in both his character and his teaching.

Jesus obeyed all of God’s commandments. And he selflessly demonstrated love and compassion to the needy.

Historian Will Durant said of Jesus that “he lived and struggled unremittingly for ‘equal rights.’

Martin Luther King said of Jesus: “He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. He overcame evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love.”

And renowned French philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, wrote: “When Plato describes his imaginary righteous man . . . he describes exactly the character of Christ. . .. .”

Jesus’ impeccable moral character was reflected in his teaching. Whereas most moral teachers spoke of rules to live by, Jesus taught that our priority should be to love God and others above ourselves. A trait he continually demonstrated.

Was Jesus the Promised Messiah?

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Old Testament prophets from Moses to Zechariah foretold of a coming Messiah. This Messiah, or Christ, was to pay the penalty for mans’ sin and be a light to the world. And, according to the prophet Isaiah, he would actually be God in human form. (Isaiah 9:6)

Jesus said his primary mission was first to suffer and die for our sins. Seven hundred years earlier the prophet Isaiah had foretold the Messiah’s suffering for our sins.

“He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins…. each of us had strayed off on his own path, but the Lord caused the sin of all of us to attack him.” —Isaiah 53:5 & 6, NET

While on earth, Jesus fulfilled nearly 300 of these Old Testament prophecies, including his lineage, city of birth and miracles.[

As his followers saw him heal the lame, deaf and blind, they became convinced he was the promised Messiah. And when Peter proclaimed him as “the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God,” Jesus acknowledged his statement as true.

But Jesus also revealed another mystery about his identity that was so shocking it eventually led to his trial and crucifixion.

So, what was that mystery?