Who Is This Jesus?
Jesus of Nazareth never wrote a song, yet there are more songs written about Him than any other person in history. He never authored a book, but entire chains of bookstores can hold only a fraction of the volumes written about Him. So cataclysmic was His appearance on earth, that it served to divide the whole of human history in two: B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (an abbreviation for the Latin words meaning ''after His coming''). He calmed the sea, raised the dead and agitated the religious and political leaders of His day. It's no surprise that even His own disciples wondered, ''What manner of man is this?''
In their own way, they were asking, ''Who is this Jesus?''
People have tried to ignore that question, change the question, outlaw the question and silence those who ask the question--all without success. We can choose to love Jesus or hate Him. We can elect to serve Him or reject Him. But from the moment of His appearance, it has been impossible to ignore Him.
''Who is this Jesus?'' It is a vital question- one that each and every person must answer sooner or later.
Fortunately, the answer is as near as your Bible.
In Search of Jesus
Let's begin in the book of John, Chapter 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
Jesus Christ did not make His debut on that first Christmas morning in Bethlehem. He existed before creation--''in the beginning''--and ''through Him all things were made.'' (John 1:3) Look back to the book of Genesis. God said, ''Let us make man in our image.'' (Genesis 1:26) Who was He talking to? He was talking to the Word!
The Word is none other than Jesus Christ. We know this because later, in verse 14, John tells us, ''The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.'' Can you imagine? The Word, who was God, came down to dwell among us. More literally, Jesus ''pitched his tent'' in our ''camp.''Why would the creator of the universe do such a thing? Why would He bother? Because God wanted to reveal Himself to us in terms we could understand. It's hard for humans to relate to a spirit. But Jesus walked among us. He was flesh and blood, but full of deity. At one moment He was hungry because He was fully human. The next moment, He miraculously fed 5,000 because He was fully God. One moment, Jesus agonizes on a cross and dies because He was fully human. Three days later, He rose from the grave because He was fully God. That's why Jesus has the distinction of being history's only 200% man--fully human and fully divine. ''God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him.'' (Colossians 1:19)
Members of some sects will knock on your door and try to convince you that Jesus isn't God. They'll say He was God's first creation. They'll suggest that He is a leader under God, but not equal to God. That's not what the text says. ''And the Word was God.'' Seems pretty clear to me. That's why Jesus the Son and God the Father are sometimes referred to interchangeably. In Genesis, we're told that God created the heavens and earth. In Colossians, we hear that Jesus created them. In one place, we're told that God knows everything. Elsewhere, we discover that Jesus knows everything. God is eternal; Jesus is eternal. The list goes on and on.
So what? Why is it important to know that this Jesus became a man? Because without Him, we would have no chance of understanding God. Look back to our text:
No one has ever seen God, but the only begotten Son, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known. (John 1:18)
Yes, I know the text can be confusing. Stay with me!
If anybody comes to you claiming to have seen God, you're looking at a liar. The text says no one has seen God. Flimsy human bodies were never constructed to stand in the presence of God's glory. It's like staring straight into the sun- there's too much power for a direct look. So how could God fully reveal Himself without vaporizing us? Answer: He is fully revealed in Jesus. To understand Jesus is to understand God.
Philip had been one of Jesus' disciples for almost three years when he came up with an interesting request. ''Show us the Father,'' he said, ''and that will be enough for us.'' (John 14:8) Jesus' answer puts His purpose in perspective. ''Don't you know me Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.''
Jesus took everything there was to know about God and put it on a shelf we could reach. Jesus is the complete revelation of God. That's why you can't go around Jesus and get to God. He is the only begotten Son. Buddha, Elijah Mohammed, Confucius . . . no prophet, teacher or king can make that claim. Nobody stands next to Jesus! ''I am the way and the truth and the life,'' Jesus says, ''No one comes to the Father except through Me.'' (John 14:6)
The Wonder of His Name
Today, when we choose names for our children, we base our selection on sound. A first name that rolls off the tongue nicely when combined with the last name is the target for most moms and dads. In biblical times, however, parents cared little about the sound of a name; they were concerned with its meaning. A child's name was selected to reflect his character or at least the parents' hope.
Remember Esau--Jacob's brother? The name Esau meant ''hairy,'' and was an accurate description.
Occasionally, names were changed to more accurately reflect character. Jacob became ''Israel,'' which meant ''he struggles with God.'' (see Genesis 32:28). The name of Abram (which meant ''exalted father'') was changed to Abraham (''the father of many'') after God established the covenant (Genesis 17:5).
When the angel Gabriel visited Mary to predict the birth of the Messiah, he instructed Mary that she should call the baby Jesus--meaning that He would save His people from their sins. ''Jesus'' is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament name ''Joshua,'' which means ''salvation.''
But Jesus has other names as well-not literal names you would use in conversation, but descriptive names that give us insight into his character and mission. Check out this passage from Isaiah 9:6.
And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Let's work through those appellations individually.
Wonderful Counselor
When members of my congregation come to me for counseling, the quality of the advice they receive depends on the kind of day I have had. People often come expecting that perfect pearl of wisdom that will immediately solve their problems and put their life instantly in order. Unfortunately, I am human; I can't hit the bull's eye 100% percent of the time, no matter how hard I try. My personal resources and experience are limited.
That's what makes Jesus such a wonderful counselor. His perspective is infinite; His resources unlimited. His experience includes a lifetime on earth during which he experienced the same trials and temptations we face. Who could be better qualified to offer us guidance and direction?
Mighty God
The Hebrew word used here literally means ''hero.'' Our society is suffering from a tragic lack of heroes-those who have traditionally inspired others to reach beyond their limits and seek the best in themselves and others.
Heroes silently challenge others to follow in their footsteps. And there's nothing wrong with that, as long as those footsteps lead in the right direction.
Human heroes of all kinds have disappointed us by failing to deliver on their promise. Jesus, on the other hand, never fails. He is God in the flesh-all the power of creation stands behind His promise to provide and care for us.
Everlasting Father
Have you ever spent time pondering where God came from? Don't. After you've gone back billions of years, you're no closer to the origin of God than when you started. ''Everlasting'' means forever. No beginning, no end. The fact is, God never arrived; He's always been there.
Than can be mind-boggling for us finite humans. That's why many have concluded that it's too hard to believe. ''I'd rather believe in evo- lution,'' they say.
Evolutionists confuse me. They say they can't believe in an eternal God. But they have no trouble believing that nothing plus nothing results in something. They readily conclude that, way back when, one kind of gas accidently collided with another, resulting in . . . well, everything.
All it takes to destroy that theory is a simple question: who created the gas?
I believe in a God who transcends time, yet penetrated time and space to make Himself known to us through Jesus Christ.
Prince of Peace
Men want peace desperately. They will sit around tables and negotiate for peace. They will pay any price and make any compromise for peace. If that fails, they are even willing to go to war to get peace.
The truth is, few of us even understand peace. Many of us wouldn't recognize it if we saw it.
James understood the nature of our discontentment. He said, ''What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something, but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.'' (James 4:1-2)
In Jesus, we have an alternative to this lifelong strife. Paul the Apostle discovered this truth, enabling him to make this declaration:
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)
Most of us believe that peace is the absence of conflict-a state that exists when our needs our met and our situation is comfortable. Jesus gives us much more. He promises peace that transcends our circumstances.
It makes perfect sense to be at peace when all is well. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, promises us peace that transcends understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
Jesus, From Genesis to Revelation
The Bible, from cover to cover, addresses the question, ''Who is this Jesus?'' Consider the themes of the sixty-six books: In Genesis, He is the Creator God.
In Exodus, He is the Redeemer.
In Leviticus, He is your sanctification.
In Numbers, He is your guide.
In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher.
In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror.
In Judges, He gives victory over enemies.
In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your redeemer.
In I Samuel, he is the root of Jesse;
In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David.
In 1 Kings and 2 Kings, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your intercessor and High Priest.
In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship.
In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies.
In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.
In Job, He is the arbitrator who not only understands your struggles, but has the power to do something about them.
In Psalms, He is your song--and your reason to sing.
In Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense of life and live it successfully. In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, deliver ing you from vanity.
In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.
In Isaiah, He is the mighty counselor, the prince of peace, the everlasting father, and more.
In short, He's everything you need.
In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead, the soothing salve for your sin-sick soul.
In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful one upon whom you can depend.
In Ezekiel, He is your wheel in the middle of a wheel--the one who assures that dry, dead bones will come alive again.
In Daniel, He is the ancient of days, the everlasting God who never runs out of time.
In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to come back-even when you have abandoned Him.
In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble.
In Amos, He is the husbandman, the one you can depend on to stay by your side.
In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.
In Jonah, He is your salvation, bringing you back within His will.
In Micah, He is judge of the nation.
In Nahum, He is the jealous God.
In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.
In Zephaniah, He is the witness.
In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies
. In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts.
Moving on to the New Testament . . . In Matthew, He is king of the Jews.
In Mark, He is the servant.
In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
In John, He is the Son of God.
In Acts, He is Savior of the world.
In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.
In I Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel.
In II Corinthians, He the triumphant one, giving victory
. In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.
In Ephesians, He is head of the Church.
In Philippians, He is your joy.
In Colossians, He is your completeness.
In I Thessalonians, He is your hope.
In II Thessalonians, He is your glory.
In I Timothy, He is your faith.
In II Timothy, He is your stability.
In Philemon, He is your benefactor.
In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
In James, He is the power behind your faith.
In I Peter, He is your example.
In II Peter, He is your purity.
In I John, He is your life.
In II John, He is your pattern.
In III John, He is your motivation.
In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
In the Revelation, He is your coming King.
From the beginning of the world to its end, there is no place you can look and not see Jesus. He is everywhere. He is everything. ''He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.'' (Colossians 1:17)
Answering the Question
We have seen what God has to say about Jesus Christ. Now, the question is, what do we say? Since Jesus is one of-a-kind, divine and pre-eminent, how should we relate to Him?
It seems to me that the most unique person in human history--God in the flesh--deserves the highest place on our list of priorities. He should be our everything. As the earth revolves around the sun, so should Christ (the Son!) be the center of our existence.
In order to accomplish this, we must be full of Jesus. We must know Him intimately and personally. Knowing about Him won't do the job. For example, I know about the President. I can tell you his name; I can recite his address. I can even recall some information about him from radio and television reports. But that hardly qualifies me to say I know the man.
In order to truly know Jesus, He must fill our existence. He must be the center of every thought and activity. He must become the purpose and the means of our very existence.
The cost of knowing Christ is high--there's no doubt about that. He will settle for nothing less than first place. A half-hearted commitment to the Lord can be as unproductive as no commitment at all. As the Apostle Paul said, ''Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.'' (Colossians 3:17)
Now, here's the good news: it is impossible to give God everything and wind up with nothing! Why? Because when you give Jesus all of yourself, He responds by giving you all of Himself. The power that created the universe and brought Christ back from the grave will live within you, empowering you to grow, to change, to experience unspeakable joy.
We've spent this time together considering the question, ''Who is this Jesus?'' We come now to the answer: Jesus is everything! When we have Jesus, we have everything. When we know Jesus, we know everything.
All that remains is your decision. Will you live like one who knows who Jesus is? Will you make Him Lord of all and move Him to the top of your priority list?
"Who is this Jesus?''
The question can't be ignored. Ultimately, God Himself demands a response, and that response determines our eternal destiny.
by Tony Evans |
