JESUS, THE CHRIST OF GOD!
What is the one thing that you need more than anything else?
The ancient prophets spoke of it and eagerly sought to know more about it (Luke 24:25ff; 1 Peter 1:11). Righteous Simeon yearned for it, as well an immoral Samaritan woman (Luke 2:25-32; John 4:25). Angels long ago desired a clearer insight into it and later gladly told it to insignificant shepherds (1 Peter 1:12; Luke 2:11). Martha confessed her earnest belief in it at her brother's funeral (John 11:27). Andrew discovered it and immediately went to his brother Peter and excitedly told him that he had found what they had been looking for (John 1:41). The church through the ages unto today is built on it (Matthew 16:18). Peter first confessed the blessed truth of it: "And Jesus said to them, `But who do you say that I am?' And Peter answered and said, `The Christ of God!'" (Luke 9:20). He is the One! Jesus the Christ is the One each of us truly needs more than anything else on earth.
What does it mean to confess Jesus Christ? "Christ" is not His last name! It is the divine title, found 521 times in the NT, that proclaims Jesus alone fulfills the unique office of "the Christ" in God's scheme of redemption. "Christ" (Greek, Christos) or "Messiah" (Hebrew, Meshiah) literally means, "the anointed one." In the OT, God chose and commissioned someone to a divine work, such as a prophet (1 Kings 19:16), priest (Ex. 29:7) or king (1 Sam. 9:10), by ceremonially anointing or pouring olive oil on him. Confessing that Jesus is the Christ acknowledges and commits one to the divine truth that He alone fulfills the Messianic office promised in the OT and accomplished in the NT. Jesus is the Christ that God sent into the world to deliver erring man from the ravages of sin.
R. C. Trench observed, "The generations of men have ever more been looking after ONE in whom they may find all they look for vainly in themselves and in those around them -- a redresser of the world's wrongs, a deliverer from the world's yoke, a vindicator of the honor of the race, a soul of heroic stature, in which all the features of greatness shall be found gloriously combined" (Christ the Desire of All Nations, pp.149-150). As the Christ, He is the centerpiece of God's plan of salvation for man. He is the unique One that we can stake our entire lives upon. Robert F. Turner well wrote, "The grand theme of Christianity is CHRIST -- Prophet, Priest and King. He is our teacher, advocate and ruler." (Plain Talk, May, 1964, p. 3, emphasis added).
CHRIST THE PROPHET: SPEAKING FOR GOD
On the Mount of Transfiguration, when Jesus appeared with Moses and Elijah (two great prophets of Judaism), God proclaimed, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!" (Mark 9:7). Moses predicted God would raise up a greater prophet (Deut. 18:15). Peter says Jesus fulfills Moses' prophecy (Acts 3:22-25). "Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17; 4:25).
Jesus the Christ is God's ultimate and final spokesman (Heb. 1:2). Islam, the world's fastest growing religion, greatly errs by saying Mohammed is the greatest prophet of God or "the seal of the prophets" (Surah 33, Ayah 40). As "the Word" (John 1:1,14,18), the Christ communicates all of God we need to know. Without Christ, there is no full and final revelation of God. After hearing Jesus speak to a great multitude, some properly responded, "This certainly is the Prophet" (John 7:40). The jealous religious leaders sent officers to arrest Jesus, but they returned dumbfounded, "Never did a man speak the way this man speaks" (John 7:46). Jesus as the Christ spoke with authority, not as the scribes who simply quoted the opinions of renown Rabbis concerning the Law (Mark 1:22). Jesus had unique, intimate knowledge of the Father and spoke only what He saw and heard (John 8:26-28). His powerful words of self-evident truth ring true because they go to the heart of the human condition. Two thousand passing years have not lessened its convicting power.
1. Convicting Words. Christ the Prophet confronts all mankind with ultimate reality. He told Pilate, "For this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice" (John 18:37). As the Christ, he diagnosed the truth of man's sin and the necessity of repentance (Mark 1:15). This truth many do not want to hear (John 3:19-20). How we respond to His words infallibly measures our sincerity (John 3:21). His prophetic word will meet all men on judgment day (John 12:48).
2. Life-Changing Words. "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life" (John 6:63). Christ the Prophet speaks the wonderful words of life, the "good news" of grace and mercy for positive change. Confronted with defecting disciples, Jesus asks the twelve, "Do you want to go away also?" Peter boldly confesses, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God" (John 6:68-69). This is John's equivalent of the Messianic confession Peter makes recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. As God's unique Holy or Chosen One, Jesus alone has the key to man's eternal destiny. Only He is the harbinger of transcendent truth. No scholar or scientist can truly give the meaning of life. The theories of men are in constant flux, in view of the latest research. Our turbulent world is filled with crime and violence. American society is decaying, in part because many have rejected Christ's word as an absolute standard of morality. The motto of the age is: "Let your glands be your guide." Chaos breaks out unless man has a moral compass and spiritual anchor. Whenever Christ's words have been diligently studied and consistently applied, they have always changed man for the better. For example, Christ reveals the secret of ultimate happiness in the beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12), how to overcome worry (Matt. 6:25-34), the key to all successful human relationships in the "golden rule" (Matt. 7:12), the sacred ideal of marriage (Matt. 19:3-12) etc. Someone said, "When I learned of Christ, I thought I had swallowed sunshine."
3. Thoroughgoing Words. The entire New Testament is all "the word of Christ" (Col. 3:16). The 4 gospel accounts are the presentation of Christ. Acts is the propagation of Christ. The epistles are the application of Christ. Revelation is the victory of Christ. The NT is the complete and perfect pattern for us to follow individually and collectively as Christ's church. Christ did not speak presumptuously for God, teaching only as He had been authorized (John 12:49-50). This is the right example for us. The only way faith comes in knowing God's will on any subject is to read "the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17). Christ's pattern on any subject is taking all the NT says on that subject. We dare not "exceed what is written" (1 Cor. 4:6).
4. Abiding Words. The Christ speaks to us today through the apostles' writings (John 13:20; 16:12-15; Matt. 28:20). He promised that His words would never pass away (Matt. 24:35). "The living and abiding word" (1 Pet. 1:23) means God's providence would superintend the preservation of Christ's teaching down through time. The New Testament is the best preserved book of antiquity, with over 5,000 ancient manuscripts testifying its integrity. We have the correct text, despite Mormons erroneous allegations that we need modern revelation to restore the supposedly "lost" text.
CHRIST OUR HIGH PRIEST: BRINGING US TO GOD
"Christ appeared as a high priest" (Heb. 9:11). The OT predicted the Messiah would simultaneously be both priest and king (Psa. 110:1-4; Zech. 6:13). A priest is one who approaches God on behalf of others. Only Christ's priestly work could mediate and restore the broken fellowship between a holy God and sinful men. One wrote, "When Jesus came, the world was all at peace in utter wickedness." And to astonished Jewish ears, Jesus said, "something greater than the Temple is here!" (Matt. 12:6). "For Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18).
1. Sacrificing Himself. After six hours of unimaginable agony on the cross, Jesus cried out in triumph, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). Unlike OT priests who continually stood, His High Priestly work was forever accomplished, "having offered one sacrifice for sin for all time, He sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12). It wasn't by offering a sacrifice apart from Himself, but as both priest and lamb, He offered Himself as "a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). On the cross, the Messiah "interceded for the transgressors" (Isa. 53:12; Luke 23:34). Christ's blood "speaks better than the blood of Abel" (Heb. 12:24). Abel's blood cried from the ground for vengeance, but the blood of Christ's cross speaks of forgiveness offered to a rebel race. This is the gospel plan of salvation by substitution. All was up to Him. No other sacrifice would do. With our names on His heart, through His own life-giving blood, "He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12). The crucifixion was the greatest event of history, the summit of divine love for erring man offered "at the consummation of the ages" (Heb. 9:26).
2. Satisfying Divine Wrath. In being a faithful High priest, He made "propitiation for the sins of the people" (Heb. 2:17). Propitiation means to appease or satisfy. God is pure and holy. The guilty must be punished to satisfy His judicial wrath. Our evil thoughts, words and deeds anger His Holy nature and insult His moral government. Man has nothing meritorious in his hand to offer. Without Christ, each sinner is doomed to hell. As our High Priest, He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He paid the awful debt of sin that He did not owe, for those who owed the debt they could not pay. One of the miracles of Calvary, signifying God's judgment on our horrific sin, was that "the sun was darkened" from noon to 3 p.m. so that "darkness was over all the earth' (Luke 23:44f; cf. Amos 8:9). Some joke about sin, but it's just as funny as Christ on the cross, writhing in pain and abandoned by His Father.
3. Offering Access for All. Another miracle of Calvary, illustrating His priestly work, was "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Mark 15:38). The finger of God reached down from heaven and ripped open the curtain blocking access to the Holy of Holies. Direct access was thrown open for all humanity through Christ. He is an equal opportunity Christ! God is no longer far off. Whosoever will may come! You are just as important to God as anyone else who has ever lived. This proven High Priest is "the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb. 5:9). Have you obeyed the gospel in penitent faith? Salvation by grace is freely offered, but it's not a free ride. He did so much for us, that we, in undying gratitude, can never do enough for Him. Too many seemingly seek how little, instead of how much, they can do for Him. Every Sunday, we should remember His priestly work at the Lord's Table: "this cup is the new covenant in My blood" (Luke 22:20; cf. Acts 20:7). Do we zip through the Lord's Supper like absent-minded zombies? How our heart should sing in rededicated zeal, "Christ, we do all adore Thee!"
4. Interceding For Us. Christ's high priestly prayer in John 17 sees us across the centuries, that we might be godly people, showing the world the unifying power of His work (vv. 20ff). He prayed, "that they all might be one" (v. 21). Are you contributing to scriptural, religious unity or carnal, self-deluded division? Religious division is wrong, a scandal before an unbelieving world.
Today at God's right hand, He continually makes intercession for Christians (Heb. 7:25). "If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room," Bob M'Cheyne observed, "I would not fear a million of enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; He is praying for me!" Never despair, for the saints do not walk alone. We have a sympathetic Friend to help, a merciful High Priest who knows and cares!
CHRIST THE KING: RULING BY GOD
The kingly aspect of Jesus' work is greatly misunderstood in our religious world. As Americans, we're accustomed to living in a democratic republic, not a monarchy. Over 200 years ago, Americans told Britain's King George, "Taxation without representation is tyranny." Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty or give me death!" In view of our cultural background, it's imperative we grasp Jesus' regal nature and absolute authority to command unquestioned obedience in every aspect of our lives.
Wise men asked, "Where is he who is born King of the Jews?" (Matt. 2:2). So, Herod then asked "where the Christ was to be born" (v. 4). The OT predicted that the Christ, God's anointed king, would rule as Lord by shepherding God's people (Micah 5:2; Gen. 49:10; Num. 24:17; Psa. 110:1f). Matthew begins with a long, dry genealogy, yet it has an exciting purpose. It shows Jesus is the legal heir to the Davidic dynasty (Matt. 1:1). Jesus told Pilate, "I am a king, for this I have been born" (John 18:37). As the Son of David, Jesus now reigns on David's throne as God's ideal ruler over the kingdom (Acts 2:33-36). Our chaotic world cries out for moral standards and spiritual leadership. The regal "Root of Jesse" is the glorious "banner" or rallying place for misguided humanity (Isa. 11:10).
1. A Spiritual King. Fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey: "Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey" (Matt. 21:5). A presidential candidate today who campaigns across the country in a beat up, old pickup truck would not be impressive! Jesus is unlike any King the world has ever seen. The meek and lowly Jesus rode a humble beast of burden, to show His humble power and greatness is totally unlike the world's idea of greatness. This unbroken donkey's colt wasn't skittish among the Passover crowd, which shows the calming control of this peaceful, spiritual ruler.
2. An Inward Kingdom. Christ said, "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21). Christ's rule over man is inwardly spiritual, not outwardly carnal. "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). Jesus was hailed the Messianic king (Son of David) by the Passover crowds who yelled, "Hosanna (Save now we pray)" (Matt. 21:9). When He did not save them from the Romans as a political king, the fickle crowds yelled, "Crucify Him!" Christ reigns in the hearts of men by the moral power of truth, not brute force or bribes. He rules without a sword and binds without a cord. His kingdom is not advanced by rote indoctrination or carnal bait to draw a crowd, nor by self-serving church politics. "Right notions of Christ's kingdom would keep us to right methods for advancing it" (Matthew Henry). Christ's kingdom grows as the pure gospel does its revolutionary work when planted in honest hearts, persuaded by sincere love of truth (Luke 8:15). Our righteousness must grow from the inside out, surpassing the shallow externalism of the Pharisees (Matt. 5:20). We must enthrone Jesus as Lord of our heart (1 Pet. 3:15), as we "bring every thought captive to obedience to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).
3. An Obedient Citizenry. In "the regeneration" of the new kingdom age, Christ the King rules and judges mankind on His throne, by the truth proclaimed through the apostles (Matt. 19:28). King Jesus has "all authority" (Matt. 28:18) to command total obedience in thought, word and deed. The race of eternity cannot be won unless we strive "lawfully" (2 Tim. 2:5). This is not "the bondage of legalism" but rather it is infallible evidence of sincere love for our Lord (John 14:15). Christ cannot be separated from His authoritative truth, "the Word of Christ" (Col. 3:16-17). We cannot obey something we do not know. As a citizen of Christ's kingdom, can you find book, chapter and verse for all you believe and practice under His rule? Each day we live, His will is our privilege and duty to obey. "To live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21). We must please Him, not ourselves, above all else.
4. A Victorious Cause. King Jesus has the divine right to order unflinching faithfulness, even upon the pains of death (Rev. 2:10). The early church endured crushing tribulation in the Roman empire (Rev. 1:9). Yet, Christ rode into that battle of Armageddon to rescue His beleaguered church with that awe-inspiring carriage as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). We today find security in following our King of the universe on to ultimate victory. You'll be disappointed by looking at others. You'll be discouraged by looking only to yourself. However, you'll always be encouraged by looking up to Christ the King! He will not abandon His loyal citizens. Christians are life's ultimate winners. "There arose loud voices in heaven, saying, `The kingdoms of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever'" (Revelation 11:15). Satan is whipped. The world is doomed. Faithful followers of Christ reign with Him now, and then ultimately in heaven's glory (Rev. 22:5).
Have you been baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27)? Is Jesus' role as the Messiah the daily focus of your faith, the object of your love and the wellspring of your hope? Your honest answer will make all the difference in time and eternity. If we can assist you in following Christ, please contact our minister at WFrankWalton@juno.com.
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