Who is Jesus?
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JESUS IS THE GOD MAN
The Mystery of the divinity of Jesus: As was stated in the introduction, Jesus was and is fully God and was and is fully human. He is the fulfillment of all of the Old Testament covenants and promises. There are many names given for Jesus in the Bible, each points us to part of His character and influence in the lives of His people and the world. We have an understanding and presence of His kingdom now, but we will have a greater understanding and presence of his kingdom when he returns.
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.” - Philippians 2:5-6
“I pray that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” –John 17:21
“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.“ - John 1:18
“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and in Christ, you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” - Colossians 2:9-10
Questions:
How do you process Jesus being fully God and Fully Human?
How is this the most exciting news in all of history?
Why is this a stumbling block for so many?
JESUS THE SAVIOR
Jesus, is the Gospel personified: In the scriptures, the gospel refers to the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that it means for humanity. In the gospel, the goodness of God is revealed as He delivers His people from His wrath, condemnation, shame and misery into a renewed and restored relationship with Him that makes us righteous and produces righteous behavior. We receive this deliverance by grace through faith.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” -Romans 1:16-18
Questions:
What can we learn about the gospel from these verses?
What does it mean to be saved? Who and what are we saved from?
Jesus the Second Adam: In the garden humanity faced a choice and they chose to depart from the way of God. This put them on a course away from God, His goodness and love, and instead on a path of condemnation from God. Jesus came to deliver humanity from the condition of sin that has put them on the path of condemnation. Every moment of his life He did the right thing, and His righteous life earned the blessing of God. God was pleased with Jesus’ performance. In the gospel, when we respond to Jesus with faith and repentance, we receive righteousness that comes from Jesus’ life instead of our own. God looks at us and sees the righteousness of Christ.
“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.” -Romans 5:19
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” –Romans 8:1-3
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” -2 Corinthians 5:21
Questions:
What does it mean to be condemned?
Why is humanity facing condemnation?
How did Jesus coming address this challenge?
How has Jesus changed our relationship with God?
JESUS IS LORD
Jesus is King: God was the ultimate king of Israel. He designed the tabernacle and later the temple to be like a throne room, so Israel could visualize Him reigning over them and the earth. We learn from the book of Hebrews that these were models of the heavens. God is the true King, He rules the world. Yet, He also provided leadership for the nation of Israel, kings would rule them. The best kings ruled for the purposes and glory of God, not their own. The Lord promised David in 2 Samuel chapter 7 that David’s descendant would be on the throne forever. Israel came back to this promise many times when they were disobedient and faced God’s discipline. The entire nation was looking for the great king in the lineage of David to come and reunite and empower the people of Israel. Jesus is the great King who descended from David.
Jesus’ primary teachings were related to the kingdom of God. The kingdom He described would be different than the one that they had envisioned. Jesus’ kingdom would not make Israel a superpower on earth, but would instead be about spreading the goodness of God throughout the earth through the power of the gospel and the work of His Spirit.
So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” …. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” - John 19:33,37
What does it mean that Jesus is King?
What do you think it means that Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world?
How is Jesus’ kingdom connected with truth?
Jesus is Master: The most common word used to describe Jesus in the New Testament, besides His name, is Lord. It comes from the hierarchical system where one was put in charge of another. Jesus was a different kind of Lord, he does not rule like a tyrant or a wicked master, but He is a gracious master who himself modeled servanthood for His people. Jesus’ followers are called servants in the Bible. They understand that Jesus is their Lord personally, and seek to honor Him by obeying His commands.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
“Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:25-28
What do we learn about Jesus, our Lord, from these verses?
How do these verses impact you as His followers?
How is the phrase “No Lord” an oxymoron?
Why do you think we still say no to God?
Jesus as friend: Yes, Jesus is Savior. Yes, Jesus is God. Yes, Jesus is King. And yes, Jesus is master. But, Jesus was also the embodiment of love. He showed mercy and kindness to those who needed it. He treated His disciples with grace when they missed the mark. He was patient with them when they didn’t understand what He was teaching, He would take the time to explain it to them. The disciples learned to trust in His goodness.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” –John 15:9-15
Questions:
What can we learn about Jesus as a friend from this teaching?
What has Jesus brought to the friendship?
What does he want us to bring to the friendship?
Which of these sections stood out to you (Jesus is God, Jesus is Lord, Jesus is friend), and why?