Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ, is the central figure of Christianity, believed by Christians to be the Son of God and the awaited Messiah (Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament. His life and teachings are recorded in the New Testament, primarily in the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Birth and Early Life: Jesus was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). His birth is celebrated by Christians worldwide as Christmas. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and was known as a carpenter, following the trade of His earthly father, Joseph.

Ministry: At about thirty years of age, Jesus began His public ministry following His baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. His ministry lasted approximately three years, during which He preached about the Kingdom of God, performed miracles, and taught in parables. Jesus' teachings emphasized love, forgiveness, and repentance. He declared, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

Miracles: Jesus performed numerous miracles, which demonstrated His divine authority and compassion. These included healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish, and calming storms. His miracles were signs of His messianic identity and the inbreaking of God's kingdom.

Death and Resurrection: Jesus' crucifixion is central to Christian belief, as it is seen as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. He was crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, and His death fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, an event celebrated as Easter. His resurrection is seen as the cornerstone of Christian faith, affirming His victory over sin and death.

Ascension and Second Coming: After appearing to His disciples and many others over forty days, Jesus ascended into heaven. Christians believe He will return at the end of the age to judge the living and the dead, as promised in Acts 1:11: "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" .

Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot is one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus Christ, infamous for betraying Jesus to the religious authorities for thirty pieces of silver. His actions are pivotal in the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion.

Role as a Disciple: Judas was chosen by Jesus as one of His twelve apostles, a group that was given authority to preach and perform miracles. Despite his privileged position, Judas is often remembered for his role as the treasurer of the group, a position that foreshadowed his later actions. The Gospel of John notes, "He was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it" (John 12:6).

Betrayal: Judas' betrayal is one of the most significant events in the New Testament. He agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-13. During the Last Supper, Jesus predicted His betrayal, saying, "Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me" (John 13:21). Judas later identified Jesus to the arresting soldiers with a kiss, a gesture that has since become synonymous with betrayal.

Death: Overcome with remorse after Jesus' condemnation, Judas attempted to return the silver to the chief priests and elders, declaring, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4). Unable to cope with his guilt, Judas went away and hanged himself, as recorded in Matthew 27:5. His death is seen as a tragic end to a life marked by betrayal and regret.

Legacy: Judas Iscariot's name has become synonymous with treachery and betrayal. His actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and disloyalty. Despite his close proximity to Jesus, Judas' choices led him away from the path of righteousness, highlighting the importance of faithfulness and integrity in the Christian life.