Interesting Facts about Jesus

Some groups suggest that Jesus was raised in a spiritual and not a physical body. But Jesus’ actual body was raised from the dead. He tells the disciples:

“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” (Luke 24:38–39)

To help hammer this truth home to them, Jesus ate in their presence:

And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence (Luke 24:42–43).

Jesus got angry. He even turned over tables in the temple. He did not appreciate people that were taking advantage of others in His Father’s house. It might be surprising that Jesus showed His anger, but it is refreshing to know He gets angry over issues such as injustice, just like you and me.

Jesus had more issues with church leaders than the people in the community. During Jesus' ministry, He extended grace and love to ordinary people, even "sinners." And He had some harsh words for the religious leaders of His time. He didn't like the way they treated the people He loved. It shows us that no matter how many followers or how much power and influence we have, it is important to lead others well because He cares more about how we treat others than how well we keep a set of rules.

Jesus had humble beginnings. Born into a carpenter's family, Jesus came from a poor, day-laborer home. This means Jesus would have known what it was like to live in poverty and have hunger and need. Although Jesus is the Son of God, He decided to come to earth as an ordinary guy, just like you and me.

Jesus started His ministry later in life, around the age of 30 years. Some of us might expect Him to have started his ministry when He was born, but He actually went through normal experiences growing up as a baby, small child, teenager, and young adult.

 Jesus had an incredible respect for women and even helped a woman who was about to be stoned to death.

Several sources mention Jesus' crucifixion at the hands of Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect. Christian Gospels say the skies darkened for hours after the crucifixion, which historians viewed either as a miracle or a portent of dark times to come. Using astronomy, later historians have used this mention to pinpoint the death of Christ. Some tie the crucifixion to a one-minute 59-second total solar eclipse that occurred in 29 C.E., whereas others say a second total eclipse, blocking the sun for four minutes and six seconds, in 33 C.E. marked Jesus' death. (C.E. stands for Common Era or Christian Era, and is an alternative name for anno Domini, or A.D.)

Death by crucifixion was one of the goriest ends the Romans meted out, and it was typically reserved for slaves and those seen to be challenging Roman authority.