The Letter Jesus Wrote Finally Discovered: A Journey Through History and Faith

One of the most frequently asked questions about Jesus is, if He could write, why didn’t He leave behind any personal writings for us to read?

Surprisingly, it turns out that He did, according to early church historians!

In this episode, we will delve into the story of Jesus’ personal letter to King Abgar, a fascinating account preserved through the works of Eusebius of Caesarea.

Eusebius discovered these letters in the archives of Edessa during his historical research, presenting the narrative in his “Ecclesiastical History,” written in the early 4th century.

This lends an air of antiquity and authority to the account, making it an intriguing piece of Christian history.

King Abgar V, often referred to as Abgar the Black, ruled the kingdom of Edessa, which is located in what is now southeastern Turkey, around 9 A.D. Edessa was a significant cultural and trade center during the early first century, serving as a crossroads for various civilizations, including the Roman and Persian empires.

Abgar V was part of the Osroene dynasty, which made Edessa a notable political entity during a time of great regional turmoil.

His rule is remembered not just for his political acumen but also for his unique connection to early Christian history, intertwining his story with that of Jesus Christ.

During his reign, King Abgar suffered from a chronic and debilitating illness.

While descriptions of his condition vary, it is clear that it was severe, and local physicians could not provide him with relief.

It was during this time of suffering that Abgar heard about Jesus of Nazareth, whose fame as a healer had begun to spread far beyond the borders of Judea.

The stories of miraculous healings—where the blind could see, the lame could walk, and the sick were restored to health—stirred a mix of hope and curiosity in the king.

Abgar thought, if such tales were true, perhaps this Jesus could offer a remedy not just for his physical ailments but also for the spiritual and political struggles of his people.

In his pain and hope, Abgar took the bold step of sending a letter to Jesus.

According to ancient Christian traditions preserved in the writings of Eusebius, King Abgar wrote to Jesus, expressing his deep respect and reverence for Him.

He acknowledged Jesus as not just a healer but as a “savior” who performed miracles without the use of medicines or herbs.

In his letter, Abgar stated, “I have heard about you and your miracles, and I believe that you come from God.”

He extended an invitation to Jesus, offering Him refuge in Edessa, a place far from the growing hostilities that marked Jesus’ ministry in Judea.

Abgar wrote: “I invite you to come to me and escape the persecution you are suffering.”

His request was simple yet profound—he asked for healing from his ailment, believing that Jesus’ presence alone would restore his health.

This illustrates not only Abgar’s faith in Jesus but also a hope that this divine power could extend beyond the Jewish populations to a Gentile ruler.

Delivering the message from Edessa to Jesus in Judea was no small feat, given the considerable distance and the rudimentary nature of transportation and communication at the time.

Historians suggest that King Abgar entrusted this important letter to an emissary—a royal courier—tasked with the significant responsibility of finding Jesus and delivering the message directly to Him.

This courier’s journey encapsulated both a physical and metaphorical search for spiritual truth and healing.

Upon reaching Jesus, according to the story, the messenger presented the letter to Him, and the response from Jesus to King Abgar’s heartfelt plea is crucial.

According to the traditions preserved by Eusebius and other early Christian sources, Jesus did indeed reply to King Abgar.

His letter read: “Blessed are you who has believed in me without having seen me.

For it is written concerning me, that those who have seen me will not believe in me, and that those who have not seen me will believe and be saved.

But as to what you wrote to me, to come to you, it is necessary for me to fulfill all things here for which I have been sent, and after fulfilling them to be taken up to Him who sent me.

But after I have been taken up, I will send one of my disciples to you to heal your disease and bring life to you and yours.”

In this letter, Jesus acknowledged Abgar’s faith and understanding of His mission on earth.

The response is gracious and honors Abgar’s belief.

Historically, this letter signifies an early acknowledgment of the Christian message spreading beyond Jewish populations into the broader Greco-Roman world.

It suggests that Jesus was aware of His growing influence and intended for His teachings to reach all corners of the earth, symbolized by His promise to send a disciple after His ascension.

This promise also illustrates the role of the apostles in continuing Jesus’ work, a key aspect of Christian doctrine regarding apostolic succession.

According to historical accounts narrated by Eusebius and later expanded in various apocryphal texts, Jesus fulfilled His promise made in the letter after His ascension.

He sent one of His seventy disciples, identified as Thaddaeus, to Edessa.

Upon arriving, Thaddaeus is said to have healed King Abgar and many of his subjects, thus sparking a significant conversion to Christianity within the kingdom.

This act not only confirmed the power and reach of Jesus’ words and promises but also firmly established one of the earliest Christian communities outside the Jewish homeland.

The kingdom of Edessa became a vital center for the spread of the faith in the East, influencing neighboring regions and playing a critical role in the formation of the early Syrian Christian tradition.

According to later elaborations of the story, Thaddaeus not only brought Jesus’ letter to Edessa but also a cloth imprinted with the face of Christ.

This image, known as the Holy Face of Edessa, was believed to have protective powers and became a significant focus of veneration.

The exchange between King Abgar and Jesus underscores themes of faith, divine mission, and the universal scope of Jesus’ message.

It reinforces the belief that salvation through Jesus was available to all humanity, beyond the ethnic and geographic confines of Judea.

However, the authenticity of the letters has been the subject of considerable debate among scholars and theologians.

Eusebius claimed to have discovered them in the archives of Edessa, but there are no surviving copies of the original letters apart from his transcription.

Skeptics have argued that the style and content of the letters do not conclusively match the Judaic context of Jesus’ time.

However, the lack of original letters does not definitively prove their non-existence.

Some skeptics raise questions about the use of Greek to write in a region where Aramaic was predominant.

Yet, many speakers of Aramaic at the time wrote and spoke in Greek, which was a dominant language.

It makes sense that Jesus could have done so as well, especially since the letters were correspondences between two individuals from different countries who did not share the same language.

The use of Greek would facilitate understanding between both parties.

In essence, while the existence of the letter remains debated, it is plausible that Jesus dictated His intentions to His messenger, who then wrote them down.

Regardless of the specifics, the correspondence between Jesus and King Abgar ultimately resulted in the miraculous healing of the king and the conversion of his entire household to Christianity.