“…God so LOVED the
world that he gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16 KJV).
*
Since SIN entered into the world, the only
way to be make amends with God is through the blood (life) of an innocent
sacrifice (amendment). “… He
said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf
for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt
offering, without
blemish, and offer them before the Lord…” (Leviticus 9:2 KJV). “… Ye
shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the Lord; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year:
they shall be unto you without blemish…” (Numbers 28:19 KJV).
“… If there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or
have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the Lord thy God…”
(Deuteronomy 15:21 KJV). “…Without the shedding of blood (innocent life), there is no forgiveness
(amendment)…” (Hebrews 9:22 NLT).
As a demonstration of HOLY LOVE, God sent
Jesus Christ to give his innocent, blemish-free LIFE as a ransom for ALL of
sinful mankind. “….The Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve others and TO
GIVE his life as a ransom for many…"
(Matthew 20:28 NIV).
Everybody born into the world is a sinner
with a passport to the land of spiritual death. “…Through
one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans
5:12 KJV). Thus, “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…”
(Romans 3:23). “…The wages of sin is death…”
(Romans 6:23).
In the Old Testament animal sacrifices
provided a temporary amendment for sins. “…almost all things are by the law purged with
blood (innocent life); and without
shedding of blood (innocent life)…[there]… is no remission..[for sin]…”
(Hebrews 9:22 KJV).
The shedding of blood (an innocent life for a
guilty life) is an atoning sacrifice that enables mankind to make amends with
God for the forgiveness (eradication) of their sins.
The past atoning
sacrifices, though temporary and limited, paid God for the penalty of sins
(made amends) committed by his people.
The animal,
representing the atoning sacrifice (payment) of the day, was only temporary.
The animal’s shed blood (life), paid for the sins of the people and freed them
from the consequences of their current sins.
This is not complicated
and it is a very small synopsis of this vast topic. Animal sacrifices took
place thousands of years ago and was simply a method God used as the atoning
sacrifice (amendment) for the forgiveness (removal) of sin.
Animal sacrifices, of
course, have LONG stopped. “For
the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I
have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement (an amendment) for
your souls: for
it is the blood (life) that maketh an atonement (amendment) for the soul…”
(Leviticus 17:11 KJV).
God GAVE them the lives
that made the atonements for their SINS. “… I have given it to you (the
innocent animals) … to make an
atonement (an amendment) for your souls … it is the blood (life) that maketh an atonement (amendment)…”
(Leviticus 17:11 KJV).
Thus, during ancient
times certain animals, gave their lives, to serve as ransoms for the people’s
sin.
They were temporary
ransoms only and since they were temporary the animal sacrifices had to be
repeated over and over every year.
The animal sacrifices,
therefore, were a small tedious sample of the ultimate and permanent sacrifice
predicted in Jesus Christ, who was to come!!!
“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same
sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who
draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered,
because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had
consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices
there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is
impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…”
(Hebrews 10:1-4 NASB).
Thus, the people continued
to SIN and continued to NEED atonement. “The
trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right (stop
sinning), but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does
it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my
sinful nature. I want to do what is right (stop sinning), but I can’t. I want to do what is good (stop sinning),
but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin
that is … within me. …” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
SIN separates people
from (God). “… [Their] … iniquities (sin)
…separated
[them]… from … God… …”
(Isaiah 59:2 KJV).
Therefore, “….God SHOWED (demonstrated) HIS … [HOLY] LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die
(make amends) for us while we were still sinners (undeserving)…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT).
Jesus Christ became the
willing atoning sacrifice (amendment) to bring people, once and for all, to God.
“For Christ … died for sins ONCE for all, the just for
the unjust, so that He might bring us
to God (REAL LOVE)…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…There is no greater LOVE than to lay down one’s life…”
(John 15:13 NLT).
“Herein
is … [HOLY] … LOVE, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US
and sent His Son...”
(1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ
came at just the right time and died for us sinners (made amends for us sinners) …God showed his
great LOVE … by sending Christ to die (to made amends) …”
(Romans 5:6-8 NLT). “…There is
no greater LOVE …” (John 15:13 NLT).
Jesus Christ was specially
created to become the atoning sacrifice for mankind SINS. “…God SO LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten
(specially created) Son,
that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life”
(John 3:16 KJV).
“…[YOU had]… sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…”
(Romans 3:23). “…The wages …[for
your] … sin is death…” (Romans 6:23).
However, HOLY LOVE
(God) sent “….the
Son of Man …TO
GIVE his life as a ransom for …[YOU]…"
(Matthew 20:28 NIV).
Jesus Christ was specially created by HOLY
LOVE (God) to be the slain, Lamb of God, that would willingly DIE, in your place,
and become, the once and for all, atoning sacrifice (amendment) for your sins. “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of
the world” (John 1:29 KJV). “…Christ … died for sins ONCE for all…” (1 Peter
3:18 NASB).
“He is the atoning
sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). Jesus
Christ was specially created to make a permanent amendment for YOUR sins. “…Christ also died for sins ONCE for all…” (1
Peter 3:18 NASB).
Jesus became the FINAL ransom or offering
for “ALL” SINS and made amends between God and mankind forever. “… by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified…”
(Hebrews 10:14 KJV).
He was a perfect,
unblemished sacrifice because of his HOLY nature. He was able to shed his blood
and give his life because of his human body.
He was the PERFECT
atoning sacrifice to pay the debt of sin for the many and make amends between
the Holy God and sinful man.“… This is my blood, which confirms the
covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to
forgive the sins of many…” (Matthew 26:28 NLT). “… He himself is the sacrifice
that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the
world…” (1 John 2:2 NLT).
Jesus’ human flesh
enabled him to become the atoning sacrifice. However, his HOLY nature REVEALED
Jesus as God actually being WITH US through HIM. “…
Behold,
a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us…”
(Matthew 1:23 KJV).
Jesus was in human flesh,
but he was NOT like other humans. He was BEGOTTEN or specially created. He was
conceived by the HOLY SPIRIT. “… The
angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord
is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was
troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this
should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found
favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt
conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and
shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the
Son of the Highest…”
(Luke 1:28-32 KJV).
Jesus’ other name was the WORD of GOD. The WORD was God. The
WORD, who is God, was made flesh. “… He (Jesus) had a
name written, that no man knew … his name is called The
Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “…In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. All
things came into being
through Him,
and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being
… (John 1:1-4 NASB). “….The
Word
(Jesus) became
flesh, and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14 NASB).
God, the Father and God, the Son are one
and the same. “...I and my Father are ONE." (John 10:30 KJV). “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost:
and THESE THREE
ARE ONE …” (1 John 5:7 KJV).
The titles and labels are often meant to identify
God’s current function or purpose. “…the Word (Jesus) was made FLESH, dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten (specially
created) from
the Father, full of grace and truth....”
(JOHN 1:14 KJV). “…The Son
is the radiance of God’s glory and the
exact representation of his being (Holy nature)…”
(Hebrews 1:3 KJV). “… Jesus
saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known
me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then,
Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you
I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…The Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost
…THESE THREE ARE
ONE …” (1 John 5:7 KJV).
As Jesus, God was functioning as the
atoning sacrifice (through human flesh) and sometimes as the WORD (through his
Holy Spirit). “… in
him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily…”
(Colossians 2:9 KJV). “… in Christ lives
all the fullness of God in a human body…” (Colossians 2:9 NLT). “…The
Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost
…THESE THREE ARE
ONE …” (1 John 5:7 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).
The HOLY nature and the power of Jesus’
HOLY works was PROOF that he was God the Father, God, the Son, and God, the
Holy Spirit. “…THESE THREE ARE ONE …” (1 John 5:7 KJV).
Jesus was FULLY God and FULLY huMAN. He was
FULLY God. “… In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning
with God. All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light
shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent
from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of
the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but
was sent to bear witness of that Light. That
was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made
by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received
him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe
on his name: Which were born, not of
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was
made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth…”(John 1:1-14
KJV). “…The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Holy
nature)…”
(Hebrews 1:3 KJV).
He was FULLY human. “…Though he was God, he did not think of
equality with God as something to cling to. Instead,
he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When
he appeared in human form…”
(Philippians 2:6-7 NLT).
THE MIRACLE OF HOLY LOVE
takes on a DEEPER meaning when you are able to SEE how God, himself came in
huMAN form to become the atoning sacrifice for the SINS of mankind.
God
wanted the JOB of atoning sacrifice to be done right; so he decided to do it
himself. “…
God works … what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the
Father that dwelleth in… [Jesus], he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
Some scholars,
skeptics, and even God’s own people find his incarnate status a Christian orthodox
mystery. His people admit God came in the flesh through Jesus Christ.
“…
If a
person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges
that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the
Spirit of God…” (1
John 4:2 NLT).
For the scientific
minds, most scholars believe Jesus Christ existed and actually walked the
earth, but many differ on their perspective of the facts or the interpretation
of the facts. In all fairness, I will say that there are a few scholars that
even say Jesus Christ was a myth. “… Many
deceivers have gone out into the world. They
deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body.
Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist…” (2 John 1:7 NLT).
Rarely do you or anyone
else question other historical figures to the degree that Jesus Christ has been
questioned, yet if you don’t reject their historical facts why would you reject
those of Jesus. “…Jesus
did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I
suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would
be written…” (John 21:25 NIV).
Well known Jewish historian and scholar, Flavius
Josephus, in the Antiquities of the Jews,
a reliable historical work done in the 1st century gives witness
to Jesus. “…It is also
written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I
am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness
of me…” (John 8:16-17 KJV).
The actual Jewish
Antiquities historical paragraph called the “Testimonium
Flavianum” or “The Testimony of Flavius” Vol. 18, chapter 3, and paragraph 3 is as follows: “At
this time there was wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good, and he was known to be
virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his
disciples. Pilate condemned him to
be
crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They
reported that he had appeared to them three
days
after his crucifixion and that he was alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the
Messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted won.” (Michael
the Syrian, translation from Whealey, 2008).
I
believe this is 100% a historical, reliable, and authentic account for those
who need objective evidence. God’s followers “…walk by faith, not by sight…” (2
Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
The best source for proving Jesus existed
is the bible. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16
KJV).
The Synoptic Gospels are also heavily
supported by many scholars as having been written by his disciples. The
Synoptic Gospels differ on facts and perspectives, yet agree on the many
eyewitnesses, ministries, and first-hand accounts of Jesus’ life and death. “…Many have undertaken to draw
up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed
down to us by those who from the first were EYEWITNESSES and servants of the word…”
(Luke 1:1-2 NLT). “….Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a
declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as
they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were EYEWITNESSES, and ministers of the word…”
(Luke 1:1-2 KJV). “…For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were EYEWITNESSES of his majesty….” (2 Peter 1:16 NLT).
Reputable bible scholars, after critical
analysis of the holy text, offer a rational, but somewhat persuasive view of
the historical Jesus, the incarnate, the flesh man. “…the Word (Jesus) was made FLESH, and dwelt among
us...” (JOHN 1:14).
Most critical analyses are based on an
objective, rational worldview and totally eliminate the mystical worldview of
Jesus’ own claims. Some things are limited to what you can see; others can only be understood by what you
don’t see. “…walk by faith...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
Mystical truths can only be understood IF
God reveals them to you, anyway, through his HOLY SPIRIT. “….When we tell you these things, we DO NOT use words that come from human
wisdom. Instead, we speak words GIVEN TO US by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s
words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual CAN’T RECEIVE these truths from God’s
Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and THEY CAN’T UNDERSTAND IT, for only those who
are spiritual CAN UNDERSTAND what the Spirit means…” (1 Corinthians 2
NLT).
God, the Father and
Jesus the Son are ONE. “…I am in
the Father, and the Father in me…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…The Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost
…THESE THREE ARE
ONE …” (1 John 5:7 KJV).
However, his incarnate
status becomes easier to understand when you recognize God’s POWER and God’s
MOTIVE. “…The things which are impossible with men … [are] …POSSIBLE…
[with God] …” (Luke 18:27 KJV).
“…I am
the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing
too hard for me?”
(Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “…The Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth…” (John 1:1-14 KJV). “…God so loved THE WORLD, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life…” (John 3:16).
It is well documented
that Jesus Christ fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies, did many miracles,
and actually existed. “...But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be
little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto
me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from
everlasting…” (Micah 5:2 KJV). Jesus was
born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-20). As Messiah, he was ruler of Israel (John 4:25-26).
Several Old Testament scriptures prophecy about Jesus’ life, birth, ministry,
and death.
The fact that Jesus was
also God is the best part of his humanity. “…Though he
was God, he did not think
of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up
his divine privileges…”
(Philippians 2:6-7 NLT).
It is the GREATEST
demonstration of his REAL LOVE for humanity. “Herein is love … he …sent His Son…”
(1 John 4:10 KJV). “…[AND] … Christ …
[CHOSE to suffer]…for us in the flesh …” (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV).
It is NOT the label “SON”
that matters as much as the “SON’S” purpose. “Herein is love … he …sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
(1 John 4:10 KJV).
Jesus was BEGOTTEN or specially created to
meet all the requirements of a RANSOM for sin, as the MESSIAH, and as the WORD.
As MESSIAH he fulfilled multiple
prophecies. “… And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in
Capernaum …That it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by Esaias the prophet…”
(Matthew 4:13-14 KJV). “… is to be ruler
in Israel; whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting…” (Micah 5:2 KJV).
“… For
the time has come for this prophecy
about me to be fulfilled…” (Luke 22:37 NLT).
As the WORD he expressed and
communicated God’s messages of LOVE. “…And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet
Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it
was written, The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach
the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me
to heal the brokenhearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the
Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and
sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on
him. And he began to say unto them, THIS DAY is this
scripture fulfilled in your ears…”
(John 4:16-21 KJV). “….the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the
words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself:
but the Father
that dwelleth in me, he doeth
the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
As the RANSOM for sin he met
all the requirements of an atoning sacrifice. “…
How much more shall the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God…”
(Hebrews 9:14 KJV). “… He that sent me is
with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that
please him…” (John 8:29 KJV). “… he doeth
the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
God, through Jesus,
CHOOSE to live the human life in the role of begotten son whom he specially created
to become the RANSOM for many. “… Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners…” (1 Timothy 1:15 NASB). “….THE SON OF MAN CAME …TO GIVE
his life as a ransom for many…" (Matthew 20:28 NIV).
God, through Jesus, CHOSE
to come to a WORLD he had created and surrender, like a slave, to the purpose,
for which he came, WHATEVER the cost. “…Who,
being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But … took
upon him the form of a servant …”
(Philippians 2:6-8 KJV).“…he took the humble position of a slave …” (Philippians 2:6-7 NLT). God, “…spared not his own Son (his humanity),
[from suffering,] but delivered him up (or himself, through Jesus) for us
all…” (Romans 8:32 KJV).
The POWER of God’s LOVE
drove him to do this for mankind. This is HOLY LOVE. “…he [CHOSE to be] wounded for our transgressions,
[he CHOSE to be] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace
[was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed…” (Isaiah 53:5 KJV). “…[God through]…Christ [CHOSE to die]… for [your] sins
according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).
God, through Jesus, CHOSE
to be mistreated, misunderstood, and to become unrecognizable. “…[God through] … Christ
[CHOSE to suffer]… for us in the flesh …” (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV).
“…Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a
purple robe. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with
their hands… they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate
saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But
they cried out, Away
with him, away with him, crucify him …” (John 19:1-16 KJV). “…his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human
being and his form marred beyond human likeness—“
(Isaiah 52:14 NIV).
God, through Jesus, CHOSE
to experience full humanness as any other person. He laid aside his Holy
privileges. “…There is
no greater love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT). “…Who,
being in the form of God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God…”
(Philippians 2:6-8 KJV). “…Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up
his divine privileges…”
(Philippians 2:6-7 NLT). “…he …died a criminal’s
death on a cross…” (Philippians 2:8 NLT). “…Who, being in the form of God …was made
in the likeness of men … And being found in
fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross…” (Philippians
2:6-8 KJV). “… he … was born as a human
being. When he appeared in human form…”
(Philippians 2:6-7 NLT).
God, through Jesus, CHOSE
to suffer and die a physical death upon the cross. He was FULLY human. “…born
as a human being…”
(Philippians 2:6-7 NLT). Yet, “…being in the form of
God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God: But …humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross…” (Philippians 2:6-8 KJV). “…When he appeared in human form, he
humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross…”
(Philippians 2:8 NLT). “…And he bearing his cross went forth into a
place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they
crucified him…” (John 19: 17-18 KJV). “..After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the
scripture might be fulfilled … he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and
gave up the ghost…” (John 19:28-30 KJV).
Jesus lived a FULLY
human life in order to be the ultimate atoning sacrifice, but he also had to
remain innocent and without blemish. So he also lived a completely sinless
life. “…We have not an high priest which
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Jesus
was human in every way except for sin; He lived
a completely sinless life…”
(Hebrews 4:15 KJV). “…ye
were … redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot…”
(1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV).
God, as Jesus, the
WORD, who was specially created, took on human form, YET his HOLY nature did
NOT change. “…I am in
the Father, and the Father in me…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…The Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost
…THESE THREE ARE
ONE …” (1
John 5:7 KJV).
“…Though he
was God…” (Philippians 2:6-7 NLT). “… He
(Jesus) had a name written, that no man knew … his name is called The Word of God…”
(Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “…the
Word was God…
(John 1:1-4 NASB). “….The
Word (named
Jesus) became
flesh, and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14 NASB). “...I and my Father are ONE." (John 10:30 KJV). “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost:
and THESE THREE
ARE ONE …” (1 John 5:7 KJV).
“…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). God’s original HOLY nature NEVER changed while he was in human
form. God’s Holy POWER NEVER changed. God’s divine privileges NEVER changed.
His HOLY LOVE, for mankind, was so POWERFUL
it made him CHOSE to humble himself and be the atoning sacrifice that he had specially
created Jesus Christ to become. “… I lay
down my life... No one
takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. …” (John 10:17-18 KJV). “…Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up
his divine privileges…” (Philippians 2:6-7 NLT). “…he …died a criminal’s death on a cross…”
(Philippians 2:8 NLT). “…There is
no greater love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).
God coming in the human form,
through Jesus, is what makes him such an AWESOME GOD and SAVIOR. God, through
Jesus, demonstrated the GREATEST “HOLY” LOVE of all. God put “on the flesh” and can truly
understand humanity’s plight with sin. “… For
we do not have a high priest who is unable to
empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in
every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV). “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but
that he loved us…” (1 John 4:10
KJV). “Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters,
so that he could
be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could
offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people…” (Hebrew
2:17 NLT).
God KNEW, coming into a world of skeptics,
naysayers, doubters, the religious, and sinners that Jesus’ identify would be
questioned; as it is today.
Jesus asked his disciples: “…Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”
(Matthew 16:13 KJV). “…Whom do men say that I am?”
(Mark 8:27 KJV). Then Jesus got more personal with his disciples: “…Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
(Matthew 16:15 NLT).
Here is what Peter answered: “…And Simon Peter answered and
said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God…”
(Matthew 16:16 KJV). “… Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of
John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn
this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and
upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not
conquer it…” (Matthew 16:17-18 NLT).
The GREAT debate over these
WORDS, spoken by Jesus, is usually about whether they were referring to Peter
as the “rock” or his confession that Jesus was “Christ, the Son of the Living
God.”
Again it is NOT about labels
and titles, but PURPOSE. Peter SPREAD the gospel, but Jesus WAS the gospel. The
church is built by HEARING the GOSPEL and PLACING one’s faith in that gospel. “….apart from Me (Jesus), you (or
Peter) can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
The confession Peter made
didn’t even come from him. It was REVEALED to him THROUGH the Holy Spirit. “…my
Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from
any human being (including himself).
…” (Matthew 16:17-18 NLT).
Jesus has many labels and
titles. He is greatly debated among philosophers and the great minds of the
past and present. He has many naysayers and skeptics who doubt his existence.
There are many who balk at the virgin birth and the resurrection. People are
still wearing themselves out to PROVE he is just a myth.
But no one can DENY his
proclaimed PURPOSE in the 1st is STILL having an impact in the 21st
century. Even China, a long-time atheist country, is now predicted to become the
number one Christian nation in a few more years.
Don’t get sidelined by the
labels and titles given to Jesus because of his human form. It was important
for him to become human. In addition, don’t get sidelined or confused trying to
understand how he could also be divine. REALLY? “…The things which are impossible with men … [are] …POSSIBLE… [with God] …”
(Luke 18:27 KJV).
Thus,
it is POSSIBLE for God to take on human form, and it POSSIBLE for him also to remain
DIVINE. Nothing is TOO HARD for God. “…I am the Lord, the God of
all flesh: is
there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).
It
is a biblical FACT, that he was BOTH human and divine. “…Though
he was God…” (Philippians 2:6-7 NLT). “…
He (Jesus) had a name written, that no man
knew … his name is called The Word of God…”
(Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “…the
Word was God…
(John 1:1-4 NASB). “….The
Word
(called Jesus) became
flesh, and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14 NASB). “...I
and my Father are ONE."
(John 10:30 KJV). “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE …” (1 John 5:7 KJV).
One of the MOST important PURPOSES Jesus,
the only begotten SON, or specially created SON was SENT in human form to do
was to SAVE us. . “… Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners…” (1 Timothy 1:15 NASB).
He HAD to become a TRULY “LIVING”
sacrifice “….THE SON OF MAN CAME
…TO GIVE his life as a ransom for many…"
(Matthew 20:28 NIV). “…For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same
sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who
draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered,
because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had
consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices
there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is
impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins…” (Hebrews 10:1-4 NASB).Thus, “…God SO LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever
believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).“…he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV). “…SALVATION is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given to mankind by which we must be saved…” (Acts 4:12 NIV).
His SHED blood (his
human LIFE) was for OUR sins. The REAL LOVE is recognized in the FACT of his
humanity. The FACT that he specially created JESUS so HE (God, himself) could
become the once and for all atoning sacrifice humanity truly needed. “For [God through]….Christ also died for sins ONCE for all,
the just for the unjust…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).
God did the WORK of
SALVATION “IN” and “THROUGH” Jesus!
“…He that hath seen me hath seen the Father …I am in the Father, and the Father in me ….the Father that dwelleth in me, he
doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
“…How shall
we escape, if we neglect SO GREAT SALVATION?” (Hebrews 2:3-5
KJV). “HOLY” LOVE was COSTLY that's why it is such a GREAT SALVATION.
“…God showed
his great LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still
sinners” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT). “…God SO LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten
(specially created) Son…”
(John 3:16 KJV).
God’s HOLY LOVE found a WAY to bring you
to himself! “...[God through]…Jesus
saith…I am THE
WAY…” (John 14:6 KJV). THE MIRACLE OF GOD'S LOVE IS THAT HE DIED AND ROSE AGAIN FOR YOU!
PAST EASTER OR POST RESURRECTION, FOR ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM ARE ALSO MADE ALIVE. BECAUSE HE LIVES; YOU CAN LIVE ALSO!!
PAST EASTER OR POST RESURRECTION, FOR ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM ARE ALSO MADE ALIVE. BECAUSE HE LIVES; YOU CAN LIVE ALSO!!
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