JESUS CHRIST: His Person

COMMENTARY

JESUS CHRIST: His person

Who is Jesus Christ? This is a big question which many have tried to answer. Some have said that He was a good man, some have said that He was a great teacher, some have said He was a good example to live by, and some have said that He was a great prophet equal to Mohammad and other prophets of different religions.

But that is not all because there are other debates about His status, like is He the Son of God? Other things have come into play which are controversial saying that He was married, and He had children. Many have concluded that Scripture claims are not accurate because information has come forth from some so-called archeological finds that debunk Scripture.

Many things have been said over periods of time about past historical figures that have been accurate and some not so accurate. However, we must conclude there has never been an historical figure like Jesus Christ who has made such an incredible impact upon human life, therefore Christianity is the largest religious group in the world. The claims He made are either made by someone who is the greatest liar ever, or made by someone who was a lunatic, or someone who was insane, or made by someone who was speaking the truth and Himself is the truth.

Jesus said . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is the full and visible manifestation of God to us. Jesus was sent to us by taking upon Himself the human form to reveal to us the message of God’s plans. Himself becoming like us meant that Jesus who would have two natures in one person, both human and divine, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high . . . (Hebrews 1:2, 3). Let’s look at another passage that supports what we just said, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made of the descendants of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power . . . (Romans 1:3, 4).

For Jesus to identify Himself with us He had to have human form. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God 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 (Philippians 2:5, 6). And for that to happen God had a plan according to the following Scripture, And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God. And behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call His name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:30 – 33).

Confirmation of this reality was evidenced by John, one of the disciples who wrote the following, 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 1:14). Later in Scripture Peter said this concerning Jesus Christ, For we have not followed cunningly devised myths, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (2 Peter 1:16, 17).

We need to consider this concerning His humanity, that Jesus Christ became fully human but without a fallen nature. He would experience all the other aspects of being human. He was born as a baby fully dependent upon His mother and others for food and protection. He was fully vulnerable to every aspect of human existence. He would face dangers, temptations, and persecutions. As indicated before in Philippians 2 that He gave up the privileges of being divine and now would experience limitations like we do.

Nonetheless, He still was our Saviour. The angel that came to Mary said that His name would be Jesus which means “Saviour”. An angel came to Joseph the future husband of Mary and was also given the instructions concerning naming the child, and she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). He would also have the name “Christ” which meant the anointed one or the Messiah. Simon Peter recognized Him by the revelation of God the Father that Jesus was the Christ. In Matthew’s Gospel we find this declaration, And Simon Peter answered, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).

His person is very crucial in recognizing that He came in the flesh to redeem mankind, Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet^[a] acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God (1 John 4:1, 2).

Q and A

Question: Does it matter what I believe and still be able to go to heaven?

Answer: Jesus Christ came to redeem you and me from eternal damnation. We are all sinners and owe a huge debt, but Jesus came to pay that debt. So now He offers you the opportunity to come to Him and receive the gift of salvation, which is free. All the good that you can do could never outweigh the debt we owe. Jesus paid it in full.

No one has done that for you except Jesus. Jesus said . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6).

As I see it devotional . . .

A story is told of Josef Gabor who grew up in Czechoslovakia when it was dominated by communism, and religion was despised as weakness. His father taught communist doctrine classes. But Josef’s mother, who believed in Jesus Christ, took Josef and his brother with her to church.

They got up early each Sunday morning and took a 3-hour train ride to Prague. Then they walked to the church and sat through a 2 ½ hour service. After eating lunch in a nearby park, they returned to church for another 2 ½ hour meeting. And then they took the 3-hour ride home on the train.

Later in Josef’s life he would become a missionary to his own people in Czechoslovakia. When he would share about going to church as a child, his eyes would fill up with tears of gratitude for a mother who cared enough about his spiritual welfare to help him come to know and serve Christ.

Some Christians would do anything to be in church every Sunday, but due to health difficulties or other reasons they can’t. They know how important it is to worship and fellowship with other believers. But others choose not to go to church unless it’s convenient. They find the slightest excuse to stay home. How important is church attendance to you? Scripture says this, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching “(Hebrews 10:25).