Q&A: Was Jesus Born the Messiah?

Question: I read or heard that Jesus was born and then lived such a Godly life that God decided to make him the messiah. Also, if Jesus knew he was the messiah and was going to be crucified, why did he ask God 3 times in the Garden of Gethsemane not to make him die?

While Jesus did live a Godly  life, He did not become the Messiah because God decided to reward Him. Scripture is clear that Jesus was the Messiah starting with His conception. The angel Gabriel told His mother Mary that she would conceive thru the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Messiah (Luke 1:35). Throughout His entire life, Jesus not only kept the Mosaic Law to perfection but fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17). At the age of twelve, His in-depth knowledge of Scripture astounded the Temple priesthood (Luke 2:42-48). He began His ministry at the age of thirty as prescribed by Levitical law (Luke 3:23). He prophesied of His death and crucifixion three times during His ministry. He was tried seven times and only found guilty on two charges. The High Priest Caiaphas asked Jesus if He was the Son of God, and Jesus truthfully answered “I Am” thus, He was charged with the capital crime of blasphemy. Pilate asked Jesus if He was a King, and Jesus truthfully answered “Yes” thus, He was charged with the capital crime of sedition against Rome. He was crucified and certified dead by His Roman execution squad (Mark 15:44). His tomb was guarded by a Roman Watch consisting of sixteen men plus a number of Temple guards (Matthew 27:66). On the third day He arose from His grave and forty days later He publicly ascended into heaven as eye witnessed by His eleven disciples (Acts 1:9-11). So Jesus was conceived, born, lived, died, arose from the dead and ascended into heaven as the Messiah. Thus, we can say with certainty that Jesus was born the Messiah of mankind.

Jesus prayed in the Garden three times not because He was confused or frightened by His eminent crucifixion. He prayed three times to make a point to His followers who witnessed this event. His prayer concerning deliverance from death was made with the caveat “if” it was in accordance with the will of God His Father. This was the only prayer Jesus ever prayed that was not answered by God (Matthew 26:39). Thus, God was making it crystal clear that the only way mankind could receive a guarantee of being forgiven of their sins and bestowed the reward of eternal life, was through the voluntarily self-sacrificial death of His only begotten {human} Son Jesus (John 3:16). Therefore, it can be stated with complete assurance that there is no other way to God the Father but through Christ (John 14:6).

The Christian Religion is the only religion who’s High Priest allowed Himself to be publicly executed for the sins of His followers. The only religion who's founder arose from the dead and lives eternally. The only religion that guarantees a follower redemption and eternal life through faith plus nothing else. The only doctrine founded on the grace and mercy of God. And, it is the blessing of God on this religion that has caused Christianity to remain the fasting growing and largest religion in the world. All other world religions only see growth by way of births from couples who practice those religions.

On a closing note. The United Nations announced in 2022 that Christianity  was currently the most persecuted religion in the world.