Knowing Jesus Deeper
INTRODUCTION:
Christianity claims that salvation can only be found in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Peter declared in the hearing of the Jews saying, “And there is no salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4: 12). This is the biblical testimony about salvation-through-Christ-alone!
This claim may sound extreme, radical, and narrow-minded. We must therefore be compelled to examine the truthfulness of this claim with honesty and without prejudice whether you are a believer of Jesus or antagonistic to His teachings. Who is He according to the testimony of the Bible, which consists, the Testimony of God the Father, the Prophecies of the Prophets, the names and titles given to Him, the Testimony of Jesus about Himself, and the Testimony of the Apostles? Through these testimonies, we who are believers of the Bible will be able to understand the truthfulness of the claim about salvation through faith in Christ alone.
A. THE TESTIMONY OF GOD THE FATHER ABOUT CHRIST:
1. What does the Heavenly Father testify about Jesus? In two occasions, God the Father testified that Jesus is His beloved Son.
Ø During the baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:16-17)
Ø During the Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9:33-35)
2. The Father had testified that Jesus is His Son. This Divine Son-ship is not by sexual union or because of physical relationship between a woman and a man. He was conceived in Mary by the Power of the Holy Spirit of God. He alone was born without a human father. This is beyond our minds to comprehend.
3. To make Him distinct from angels, who are called sons of God in the Old Testament or from righteous persons who were called children of God, Jesus was called the Only Begotten Son of God. The Apostles and Bible writers used that title often for Him.
4. What does it imply? It implies only one thing: His Deity. Jesus is divine. With His humanity is His divinity. He alone has this dual personality or nature. He is both, as the Bible writers called Him, “the Son of Man” and “the Son of God”. Look at the reaction of the Jews towards Jesus. They wanted to kill Him for the reason that He claimed equality with God by calling Himself the Son of God. (Jn.5: 18).
5. Because of this unique nature, Jesus alone qualifies to become the Mediator between God and man. He’s the only bridge that can bring reconciliation between a sinner and a Holy God.
B. THE TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHETS:
1. The Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah who will give deliverance to Israel were all fitly fulfilled in the Birth, Public Ministry, Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. So what does it imply? This implies that Jesus is indeed the fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophecies. He is the Christ, the anointed One.
2. The word Messiah means “the anointed deliverer”. The Greek word used here is “Christos” which carries the same meaning. From this we get the word “Christ.” Therefore when we say “Jesus Christ” it means, Jesus the Deliverer, the Savior!
3. Example of fulfilled prophecies:
Ø The place of His birth was prophesied by Micah.
Ø The killing of babies was prophesied by Jeremiah.
Ø His virgin birth was prophesied by Isaiah.
Ø His sufferings and agony at the cross and the events surrounding His crucifixion were prophesied in the Psalms and the writings of the Prophets.
4. These fulfilled prophecies proved the Messiah-ship of Jesus, that indeed, He is the Savior of the World! Therefore in the writings of the apostles you can find that the New Testament church acknowledged no Savior other than Christ Jesus.
C. THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS:
1. The Testimony of Jesus about Himself was wrapped up in His 7 I AM’s. For the knowledge of all, in the New Testament, you will find 7 claims that Jesus made to Himself that begin with the word “I AM”.
2. What is the significance of this word “I AM”?
3. Let’s look at the confrontation of Jesus and the Jews in John 8: 56-59. Why were the Jews so offended and attempted to stone Jesus when He said, “before Abraham was born, I am”? What is in this word that they became so furious? The answer is: the word I AM was the name of God given to Moses at Mt. Horeb when God appeared to Him in the burning bush. They understood that Christ claimed to be the Jehovah of the Old Testament; that He was the God who appeared to Moses at Horeb. To them, it was blasphemy. They rejected the idea of Jesus’ deity. They adamantly refused the truth of Christ’s divinity.
4. Now let’s look at the 7 I AM’s of Jesus:
a) I am the LIGHT of the WORLD. (Jn.8: 12) He alone can change the direction of our life. From walking in darkness to light; from living in sin to righteousness.
b) I am the BREAD of LIFE. (Jn.6: 35) Jesus alone can give us true and lasting satisfaction.
c) I am the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. (Jn.11: 25-26) He has the power over death and corruption. When He said He is the Life, He refers to the eternal life that He gives to those who believed in Him, a life that death has no power over it. Resurrection refers to the act of God whereby He changes our corruptible body into an incorruptible body. We may die physically, but He will raise us from the dead to immortality and a life of glory.
d) I am the DOOR. (Jn.10: 9) The purpose of doors is security. The person who is in Christ, who trusts in Him, doesn’t have to worry about his life here and his future. He is being secure in the Hands of Christ.
e) I am the WAY. (Jn.14: 6) He is the only way to the Father. Deliverance from sin, Justification, Righteousness, Reconciliation to God, Forgiveness is made possible through Jesus alone. He is the way. He alone is giving us the right direction of living towards the Father.
f) I am the TRUTH. (Jn.14: 6) The truth sets a person free from deception. Jesus said: “Know the truth –know Him- and the truth will set you free.” Satan has deceived Adam and Eve. We lived in the same fate. Satan has blinded our minds. But Christ is the truth to set us free, giving complete freedom from sin!
g) I am the GOOD SHEPHERD. (Jn.10: 11) Being our Shepherd, Jesus does not only guarantee security, He also guarantees assurance. How does He do it? By laying down His life.
D. THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES:
1. The apostles were the eyewitnesses of the person and works of Jesus. John said: “We beheld His glory.” Their close association with Jesus in His three years public ministry gives them intimate knowledge and firsthand information about Christ. Their testimonies were very important to have sound Christology and to support the doctrine of salvation through Christ alone.
2. Who is Jesus according to their testimony? Actually the testimony of the apostles and bible writers is corroboration to the claims of Jesus.
a) The Christ and the Son of the Living God!
Ø Peter –Matt.16: 16
Ø John –Jn.20: 31
Ø This title indicates the deity of Jesus
b) Both Lord and Christ!
Ø Peter –Acts 2:36
Ø The word Lord implies two things: (1) Master, (2) Sovereignty.
Ø Christ means the anointed deliverer.
c) Lord of lords and King of kings!
Ø Paul –1 Tim.6: 14-15
Ø John –Rev.19: 16
Ø This title also indicates the deity of Jesus.
d) The Lamb of God!
Ø John the Baptist –Jn.1: 29,36
Ø Peter –1 Pet.1: 19
Ø This title refers to the blood-atonement provided of Jesus at the cross, without which, there is no remission of sins.
e) The Son of David!
Ø The crowd –Matt.21: 9
Ø This title is ascribed exclusively to the coming Messiah of Israel. When calling Jesus the Son of David, one recognizes His Messiah-ship.
f) The Head of the Church
Ø Paul –Eph.5: 23; Col.1: 18
Ø “Head” implies leadership and administration. Without the head, the body cannot function.
g) The Only Mediator between God and man
Ø Paul –1 Tim.2: 5
Ø A mediator is a pacifier who initiates reconciliation between two conflicting parties. The Bible tells us that there is enmity (spiritual) between God and the sinner.
h) Great God and Savior
Ø Paul –Titus 2:13
Ø This is an explicit verse revealing the divine nature of Christ.
i) The Messiah’s titles in Isaiah’s Prophecy:
Ø Wonderful Counselor
Ø Mighty God
Ø Everlasting Father
Ø Prince of Peace
CONCLUSION
1. All these titles and names indicate Divinity.
2. Jesus is fully human and fully divine.
3. Our Savior is God Himself.
