Upon beginning his ministry at the approximate age of 30, Jesus made it clear that his mission from God was to get the Jews back on track:
“For the son of man is come to save that which was lost.” (Matthew 18:11)
“For I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24)
Jesus also made it clear just what God wanted him to do:
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak” (John 12:49)
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil”. (Matthew 5:17)
A careful study of Jesus’ words will show that, contrary to what Christians may think, Jesus had no intention of starting a new religion; he only came to reiterate the message that God had given to all prophets before him: man was to obey God’s Laws and worship Him alone. At no time during his ministry did Jesus claim to be anything more than a human being, inspired by God. Indeed, he referred to himself as the son of man, and made it clear, in a number of verses throughout the Gospel, that he was merely a Messenger of God:
“Why callest thou me good? There is none good but One, that is God.” (Mark 10:18)
“… whosover receives me, receives not me, but Him who sent me.” (Mark 9:37)
“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
“Now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard from God.” (John 8:40)
“I ascend unto my Father and your Father, my God and your God.” (John 20:17)
Despite all his efforts–wonderful words backed up with some pretty nifty miracles–Jesus was soundly rejected, especially by his own people. Three years after he began his ministry, he was arrested and charged with sedition and blasphemy. Success had eluded him–at the end of his life on earth, he left behind only a mere handful of followers, nor more than 500 at most. This all changed dramatically, however, when a new preacher, claiming to speak in the name of Jesus, came upon the scene only a few years later.