BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part IV)

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part IV)

It is important that we stretch ourselves toward an expansive comprehension of the PERSON and WORK of JESUS CHRIST.  Therefore, for the balance of the Lenten season, our primary focus is an in-depth examination of the mission, ministry and message of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Above all else, Jesus Christ is the revelation of God, graciously provided in a means and manner that we humans can relate to and understand.  According to the Apostle Paul, “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9)  This is a very significant and powerful truth. 

Philip, one of the twelve disciples, asked Jesus for a deeper revelation of God: “Lord, show us the Father and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus’ response was crystal clear: “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip?  He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’  Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?  The words that I speak to you I do not speak of My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” (John 14:8-10)  Wow!

The Apostle John records a similar testimonial concerning Jesus, The Christ [The Anointed One] of God, set forth by John the Baptist, His forerunner and cousin:

John 1:15-18 (NKJV)

¹⁵ John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”

¹⁶ And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 

¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 

¹⁸ No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Indeed, Jesus Christ represents the “due time” fulfillment of God’s eternal and “precious promises.” (Romans 5:6 and II Peter 1:4)  That is, Jesus Christ is The Living Word that was present with (and in) the Father since eternity past, and HE is the Incarnation of God Who reveals God’s gracious character and glory while bringing salvation to mankind.  “And the Word became 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 1:1-2 and John 1:14)

The fact that Jesus Christ is the bodily representation of The Godhead (The Trinity) is further evident in His promises concerning The Holy Spirit.  In the words of Jesus, “the Spirit of truth dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17)  Since Jesus Christ IS “the way, the truth and the life,” the Word teaches us that The Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost) is fundamentally (and actually) the Spirit of Christ.   (John 14:6) Further proof is provided in Christ’s assurance of this spiritual endowment to His disciples.  Jesus Christ simply says “I will not leave you orphans; i will come to you.” (John 14:18)

The indwelling of this spiritual endowment, this Spirit embodiment of Jesus Christ, empowers believers for effective ministry service, thus magnifying the finished work of the cross via multiplied millions of earthly ambassadors who represent Him across the ages. (Acts 1:8)  This is the phenomenal result that Jesus referred to when He advised His disciples that they would be positioned to do “greater works…because I go to My Father.” (John 14:12)  The Holy Spirit enables and empowers these greater works (quantitatively, not qualitatively greater), through a vast army of commissioned witnesses. (Matthew 28:19-20)

In closing, Jesus Christ IS the fullness of the Godhead bodily, “and of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.  For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16-17)  According to Dr. Luke, “the law and the prophets were until John.  Since that time the Kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” (Luke 16:16)  As the embodiment of the Godhead, and the Supreme Teacher of The Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ is “the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)  And we walk with unshakable “confidence” that “HE who has begun a good work” in us “will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Hebrews 10:35 – Philippians 1:6)  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!