06.07. Looking Toward the Son

Looking Toward the Son Matthew 16:13-17

What can a man born 2000 years ago possible have to do with today. Born of a poor carpenter and his wife in a little nowhere place in Israel. Some find it hard to believe that this small town Jew could be the creator of the world. Still the fact remains that as men have come and gone this man, Jesus of Nazareth, stands out in history. Jesus Christ is arguable the most important and yet the most controversial person to ever live. Richard De Haan, talking about Jesus Christ said: "As a babe,, He startled a king. As a boy, He astonished the learned doctors of the land. As a man, He ruled the forces of nature; walked on the water; stilled a raging storm. He commanded angels and demons, and they rushed to do His bidding. He never wrote a book, yet libraries are filled with volumes about Him. He never composed a lyric, yet more songs have been inspired by Him than any other man in history. He never founded a college, yet through the ages the most astute and brilliant of men have sat at His feet. He never studied medicine, yet He ’went about doing good,’ healing the sick, and raising the dead to life again. He never marshaled an army, yet He has had more loyal followers than all the Alexanders and Napoleons of earth could ever hope to command." (Richard W. De Haan Behold the Man, Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501. pp 31. p.18.)

I- Who Does Others Say He Is?

No one doubts that Abraham Lincoln was president or that King Charles was king of England. Everyone knows that Michelangelo was a painter and Adolph Hilter was a mad man. Still if we ask who Jesus was we get many opinions. A Jehovah Witness will tell you he is "a god, but not the Almighty God, who is Jehovah" (Let God be True p.33) They deny that Jesus Christ was deity. Mormons teach that Jesus was a preexistent spirit. Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion said, "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1958 p.346-347) The Mormons, to justify their polygamy, also teach that Jesus was married to Mary, Martha and the other Mary at the wedding of Cana. "We say it was Jesus Christ who was married whereby He could see His seed. Before the Savior died He looked upon His own natural children as we look upon ours. When Mary came to the sepulcher she saw two angels and said unto them, ’they have taken away my Lord or husband." (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1960, Vol II, p.82.) Islam, the Muslims, teach that, "Jesus was only a messenger of Allah". (Koran- Surah 4:171) They believe that God is Allah and that Jesus was a prophet of Allah but did not achieve the greatness of the prophet Mohammed. "Jesus is referred to as messiah, servant, word, spirit, prophet, messenger, sign, witness, mercy, righteous, blessed and near Allah. However, the Muslim view considers all the prophets as humans designated by Allah to be spokesmen. A prophet is not divine." (George W. Braswell, Jr., Understanding World Religions; Nashville TN.: Broadman & Holman Publishers., 1994. p.119-120.) Some will teach that Jesus was a good teacher of morals. That he was simply a good man. Some New Agers consider him as a guide to self-actualization. He has attained a level of purity that is achievable by you and I. As you can see there is much noise about who He was and is. One might ask why does it make a difference anyway. Simply stated it is important because Jesus claimed to be God.

II- Who Does the Bible Say He Is?

Is He a Liar or God? This might sound strong to state that if He is not God than He is a liar. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NJKV Jesus Himself claimed to be God on many occasions. John 10:25-30 "my father...I and my father are one..." The Jews understood that Jesus claimed to be deity. This was the ultimate reason He was crucified by them. The Baptist Faith and Message states "Christ is the eternal Son of God" (Hobbs, Herschel H., The Baptist Faith and Message. Nashville: Convention Press, 1971. pp. 150. Page 32.) We know that Jesus was God incarnate in the flesh! One of the names for Jesus was Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 "...a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Immanuel means "God with us." We also know that the scripture teaches that He was born of a virgin. We also know that Jesus was the instrument of Creation! Colossians 1:16 "for by him were all things created...all things were created by him, and for him." Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God was also the one who created everything that exists.

III- Why Did He Die?

Allow me to answer this question with a tale of two gardens. Adam was placed in a perfect garden called Eden. He sinned when he disobeyed God and partook of the forbidden fruit. Death passed upon all mankind as a result of his sin. Romans 5:12 says, "...by one man sin entered the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." The right to eternal life was forfeited. All the offspring of Adam has his fallen nature because Adam was fallen and corrupt and he could not have an incorrupt child. Christ however is know as the second Adam because He undone what Adam messed up. Romans 5:17-19 . Go with me now to the second Garden, Gethsemane. (see Matthew 26:36-39) We pass along the dark streets of Jerusalem and go out into the dark night. We come to the garden and find Peter, James and John asleep. But where is Jesus. Oh, there He is over by the big rock. We hear Him saying, "Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew 26:39 We step back into the shadows as He comes to the three disciples who are sleeping. He speaks to them and then returns a short distance again to pray. We hear him cry out in the night "O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, they will be done." Matthew 26:42 We look closer and can see that Jesus sweat has turned into blood. The agony of this garden is very intense. As we tarry a few moments we hear the sound of soldier’s feet and see Judas and the soldiers coming to arrest Jesus. These verses make it plain that there was not other way of salvation to come to mankind. If Jesus had not gone to the cross and died we would be helplessly lost. This in fact had been the plan of God from eternity past. Revelation 13:8 states the "Lamb" (meaning Jesus Christ) was "slain from the foundation of the world."

IV- So Who is He?

As you will recall the angel that came to Mary he told her "thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus." Luke 1:26 We go to the account of the Angel reassuring Joseph about Mary to find what this name means. "...thou shalt call his name JESUS : for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 . Jesus means "Jehovah is salvation." This is His personal, human name We also have previously stated that He was the "Lamb of God." This speaks of Him being the perfect sin sacrifice for mankind. He paid the debt of the law for our sins. He took our place. We also know that Jesus is the Judge of all humanity. John 5:22 states, "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son." Jesus Christ is in a position to judge mankind because He came and walked among us and did not sin.

V- What are you going to do with Jesus?

Are you going to totally reject Him? This is your right to do so. However, you are responsible for this decision. Will you simply put Him off until a convenient time? Felix when he heard Paul preach said, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Acts 24:25 The most reasonable response if for you to accept Him as Savior and Lord! After all He is the One who stopped the funeral procession and caused a dead man to sit up and talk. The One who opened up the eyes of the blind man and rebuked the fever of a woman who them rose and served Him. He is the One who walked on the water and fed the thousands from the storeroom of heaven. He alone is God and Savior. The only hope of mankind.