THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME! (Part III)

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME! (Part III)

JESUS CHRIST is the SON OF GOD, which is to say He is EMMANUEL or God with us. (Galatians 2:20 – Matthew 1:23)  But we must never forget that Jesus Christ is also the “SON OF MAN.” (Matthew 8:20)  I am ecstatic about that!  As MARY’S BABY, he personified and shared every physical limitation that characterizes fallen humanity.  Therefore, Jesus would have experienced our sicknesses and our pains; Jesus would have encountered our problems and our pressures.  Such human experiences authenticate and position him as a compassionate high priest. “We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” (Hebrews 4:15a)

Herein we are able to observe the primary difference between Jesus and any other human being ever born into this world.  Jesus Christ “was IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED like as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN.” (Hebrews 4:15b)  I love the victorious testimony of Jesus: “I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” (John 16:33)  His capacity to overcome (while living on earth) clearly establishes and enables our ability (as born again believers) to conquer trials and temptations that are imposed upon us by this world system.  “YE ARE OF GOD, little children, and HAVE OVERCOME THEM: because GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU, than he that is in the world.” (I John 4:4)  What a powerful promise!  What a gracious privilege! What a marvelous possession!

Today, we focus on the status of Jesus Christ as the SON OF GOD.  The expression, “Son of God,” means that Jesus is the personification and incarnation of God, Himself.  Prayerfully consider the following passage of scripture:

John 14:6-11
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 BELIEVE ME THAT I AM IN THE FATHER, AND THE FATHER IN ME: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Thus, the Word reveals that Jesus Christ is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. (Hebrews 1:1-3 – John 1:1-3)  The concept of the Trinity is a great mystery, but it is clearly made manifest at the baptism of Jesus. (Matthew 3:13-17)  It can be more readily understood if we consider the nature of something totally familiar to all of us: WATER.  Water presents itself in three forms: LIQUID (drinking water), SOLID (frozen water), and GAS (steam or vaporized water).  All three forms of water have precisely the same chemical composition: H2O.  Two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen are necessary to have water.  This holds true, no matter what FORM water takes.  However, each of these three forms of water (liquid, solid, gas) has a distinct function.  We DRINK the liquid; we are COOLED by the solid; and objects are PURIFIED by the gas or ‘steam’ form of water, e.g. a hospital autoclave which is used to purify reusable medical equipment. 

Deuteronomy 6:4 records the foundational scripture of Judaism, which is commonly called the SHEMA: “Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord.”  The meaning is crystal clear. There is but ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD.  There is but ONE ETERNAL SPIRIT who may be substantively identified and worshiped as GOD.  The New Testament extends this revelation of the nature and character of God, informing us that the ONE GOD assumes THREE DISTINCT PERSONALITIES in order to communicate and commune with humankind: God, the Father…God, the Son…God, the Holy Spirit. ONE GOD…THREE DISTINCT REVELATIONS AND MANIFESTATIONS of His infinite love and grace toward us.  Think about it.  Liquid is water.  Ice is water.  Steam is water.  That is, they are one and the same substance in three distinct forms.  Likewise, the doctrine of the Trinity reveals one and the same God, manifested to mankind in three distinct forms or personalities.

Therefore, when we refer to Jesus Christ as the Son of God, we are not implying that he is inferior to (or less than) God, the Father.  They are ONE IN SUBSTANCE; they are ONE IN POWER; they are ONE IN AGREEMENT; and yes, they are ONE IN BEING.  Indeed, it is a mystery; nevertheless, it is divine truth.  Even as a twelve year old boy, Jesus fully understood that he was the Son of God and must be about his Father’s Kingdom business.  This truth was reaffirmed at his baptism. (Matthew 3:13-17)  In his subsequent 40-day fast and temptation in the wilderness, it was obvious that Satan (a.k.a. Lucifer, a former resident of Heaven) recognized him immediately as the SON OF GOD.  The Word declares that “the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19)  During his passion, Jesus was interrogated and implicitly identified by the high priest: “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell me whether thou be the Christ, the SON OF GOD.” (Matthew 26:63)  Later, an unbelieving Roman centurion standing at the foot of his cross felt compelled to proclaim, “Truly this was the SON OF GOD.” (Matthew 27:54)  JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD.  As has often been stated, ‘The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.’ (Philippians 2:5-8 – I John 3:2)

Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!