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Jesus was a Jewish teacher from Galilee who lived about two thousand years ago. Christians believe he is God’s Son: God living a human life.

He healed people others kept away from, ate with people the respectable avoided, and told stories about a God who goes looking for people who are lost. The Roman governor Pontius Pilate had him executed on a cross. His followers said that on the third day his tomb was empty, and that they saw him alive.

Most historians, religious or not, agree that Jesus lived and was crucified. What Christians add is what his followers said happened next, and what that means for everyone else.

His life in one paragraph · What Christians say about him in the Creed

Where it is in the Bible

• Mark 1:14–15 Jesus begins to teach in Galilee.

  Read Mark 1:14–15

  ¹⁴ Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• Luke 15:1–7 People complain that he eats with outsiders, and he tells a story about a lost sheep.

  Read Luke 15:1–7

  ¹ Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. ² The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.” ³ He told them this parable. ⁴ “Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? ⁵ When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ ⁷ I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• Luke 24:1–9 Women come to the tomb on the third day and find it empty.

  Read Luke 24:1–9

  ¹ But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. ³ They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body. ⁴ While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. ⁵ Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶ He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, ⁷ saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?” ⁸ They remembered his words, ⁹ returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

Not because it can be proved. Christians believe because of what the first followers said they saw, and because people still meet Jesus in the story today.

The first Christians said they had seen Jesus alive after he died. They kept saying it when it cost them their families, their work, and for some, their lives. About twenty years later, Paul wrote down a list of the people who saw him.

Faith usually starts the way it did then. Someone hears the story and is invited to look for themselves. When Philip told his friend Nathanael about Jesus, Nathanael doubted. Philip did not argue with him. He said, “Come and see.”

You can do the same here. Read this Sunday’s story, try praying for four minutes, or go and listen at a church. Nobody will ask what you believe.

Where it is in the Bible

• John 1:45–46 Nathanael doubts, and Philip says “Come and see.”

  Read John 1:45–46

  ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” ⁴⁶ Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• John 20:24–29 Thomas will not believe until he sees for himself, and Jesus comes back for him.

  Read John 20:24–29

  ²⁴ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” ²⁶ After eight days again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 Paul lists the people who saw Jesus alive.

  Read 1 Corinthians 15:3–8

  ³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸ and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

Nothing you have to earn first. Christians call this grace: God comes to you before you have anything figured out.

Jesus told a story about a son who wasted everything he had and came home, planning to ask to be a servant. His father saw him coming from far away and ran to meet him, before the son could finish his apology.

Lutherans say it in one sentence:

• Saved means rescued: forgiven, and kept with God, now and after death.
• Grace means a gift you did not earn.
• Faith means trust. It does not mean having no questions.
• On account of Christ means because of what Jesus did, not because of what you do.

Following Jesus does change a life: how you treat people, and what you do with your time and money. That comes after the gift, as an answer to it. It is not the price of it.

Where it is in the Bible

• Luke 15:11–24 The son who comes home, and the father who runs to meet him.

  Read Luke 15:11–24

  ¹¹ He said, “A certain man had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his livelihood between them. ¹³ Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living. ¹⁴ When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He wanted to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any. ¹⁷ But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger! ¹⁸ I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. ¹⁹ I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.” ’ ²⁰ “He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. ²¹ The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat, and celebrate; ²⁴ for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• Luke 23:39–43 A man dying beside Jesus asks to be remembered, and Jesus promises him paradise that day.

  Read Luke 23:39–43

  ³⁹ One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” ⁴³ Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• Ephesians 2:8–9 Paul: saved by grace, through faith, as a gift.

  Read Ephesians 2:8–9

  ⁸ for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, that no one would boast.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

Lutherans say nobody can. Faith is something God gives, and the ordinary way it comes is by hearing about Jesus.

In 1529 Martin Luther wrote a short book of the basics for families, the Small Catechism. Explaining the Creed, he wrote:

So you do not have to produce belief by trying harder. You can keep listening: read, pray, and hear it read on a Sunday. Christians believe that is how faith comes.

A father once said to Jesus, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” Jesus did not send him away. He helped him.

Where it is in the Bible

• Mark 9:23–24 A father asks Jesus to help his unbelief, and Jesus does.

  Read Mark 9:23–24

  ²³ Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• Romans 10:17 Paul: faith comes from hearing about Christ.

  Read Romans 10:17

  ¹⁷ So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

Yes. You can pray exactly that.

Jesus’ friends asked him how to pray, and he gave them the Lord’s Prayer. It is short, and Christians everywhere say it, so you can use its words before you have your own.

The four-minute prayer on this site is a good first try: one opening line, Psalm 23, the Lord’s Prayer, and a blessing. You can read it, or have it read aloud to you. You do not need to feel anything for it to be real.

Pray for four minutes

Where it is in the Bible

• Luke 11:1–4 Jesus’ friends ask him to teach them to pray.

  Read Luke 11:1–4

  ¹ When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” ² He said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. ³ Give us day by day our daily bread. ⁴ Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ ”

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• Matthew 6:6–8 Jesus: pray simply. God knows what you need before you ask.

  Read Matthew 6:6–8

  ⁶ But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. ⁷ In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. ⁸ Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

Go and listen, then talk to a pastor when you are ready. There is no test and no deadline.

• Go and listen on a Sunday. You can sit near the back, stay in your seat during communion, and leave during the last hymn. Nobody will ask you to speak. What happens, part by part.
• Read along first. This Sunday on this site takes about three minutes, so the readings are not new when you hear them.
• Talk to a pastor. Asking these questions is an ordinary reason to meet one. You do not need to be a member.
• Baptism. People who decide to follow Jesus are baptized: water, with Jesus’ promise attached. It happens once. For an adult there is usually a conversation or a short class first. It is not a test. About baptism.

Here is an email you can copy and send to any Lutheran church near you:

Find a church near you · How to find a pastor

Where it is in the Bible

• Luke 19:1–10 Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus’ house before Zacchaeus has changed anything.

  Read Luke 19:1–10

  ¹ He entered and was passing through Jericho. ² There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ³ He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. ⁴ He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way. ⁵ When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” ⁶ He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. ⁷ When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.” ⁸ Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.” ⁹ Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

• Matthew 28:19–20 Jesus sends his followers to baptize and teach, and promises to be with them always.

  Read Matthew 28:19–20

  ¹⁹ Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

  World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →