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Tag: Jesus in the N.T.

Jesus in the NT :: 2nd Corinthians

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On December 14, 2011

In Christian

The book of 2nd Corinthians gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Church in Corinth, refers to all those who have believed in Jesus Christ as an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Come to think of it, we are ambassadors, because Jesus Christ himself was an ambassador; in fact, the greatest ambassador of all time – the ambassador of God to man.

An ambassador is one who has a mission; who belongs to the king/county he/she represents; who is an alien in the country where they are sent to serve; who is armed and dangerous; and who is willing to die for his mission. As aforementioned, the greatest ambassador of all is Jesus Christ himself, for He is God’s ambassador to mankind. Jesus had a mission (to save sinners). He belonged to God (for He and God the Father are one). He was an alien on earth (for he came to the world he created, and it knew him not; his very own rejected him). He was armed (with the power of God) and dangerous (against the spiritual forces of wickedness) and He willingly died for the salvation of mankind (He said, I lay down my life).

Apostle Paul also refers to Jesus as the priceless precious treasure hidden in jars of clay (earthern vessels) (2 Corinthians 4:7). Three of the four gospels records the story of the woman (Mary) with an alabaster jar full of perfume, with which she anoints Jesus symbolic of his preparation unto death (Mark 14:3-9; Matthew 26:6-13, John 12:2-8). The scripture records that the perfume was valuable and that she broke the jar. See the perfume is what is valuable, not the jar itself. The sweet aroma of life that is in Jesus Christ within us is what is valuable and not our bodies (the jar of clay) itself. In India, you will find piggy banks that are made of clay and the only way you can take the contents that are stored within is to break the pot. Likewise we must be broken so that Jesus Christ, the priceless treasure, within us can be shared and experienced by others.

In 2nd Corinthians, Jesus is the Ambassador of God to man; the hidden treasure in us, the jars of clay.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21 (KJV)
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (KJV)
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Jesus in the NT :: 1st Corinthians

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On December 13, 2011

In Christian

The book of 1st Corinthians gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the  New Testament (N.T).

Napoleon Bonaparte is attributed to have quoted these famous words “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” Jesus Christ is just not an expression of love, but LOVE PERSONIFIED!

We sing the song, “On Christ, the solid rock (foundation), we stand; All other grounds is sinking sand”. He is the only CONSTANT in a CHANGING world; He is the only STEADINESS in an UNSTABLE world. Written unto the Church of God, which is in Corinth, the Bible establishes in the book of 1st Corinthians, that Jesus Christ is THE FOUNDATION (1 Corinthians 3:11).

In 1st Corinthians, Jesus Christ is the FOUNDATION, the foundation of love; love personified and nothing can separate us from that foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV)
1 1 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus in the NT :: Romans

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On December 12, 2011

In Christian

The book of Romans gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the  New Testament (N.T)

The first of the 13 epistles (letters) written by Paul, the book of Romans is more than just a book of theology. While the one word summation of this book’s central theme is SACRIFICE, the two word expression of the contents of this book is DEATH and LIFE.

The entire book of Romans can be summed up as the answer to one question which is stated in Romans 7:24 as follows: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” The answer: Jesus Christ;  Romans 7:25 reads “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.“

The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak and at loggerheads (at war) against the Spirit. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23)

In Romans, Jesus is the deliverer from death unto life; life abundant; life eternal.

Jesus in the NT :: Acts

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On December 9, 2011

In Christian

The book of Acts gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the  New Testament (N.T).

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) gives account of the birth and death of Christ Jesus, the bridegroom. The book of Acts gives account of the birth of the Church, Jesus’ bride. Just as the woman was made out of the man when the man was put to sleep, so also the Church is made out of Christ who was put to sleep on the Cross. Jesus is therefore the PROGENITOR of the Church

Jesus said to Peter – upon His confession, that Jesus was the Son of God, will He build HIS Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The Church does not belong to any man, but to Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is not only the progenitor of the church, but He is also the POWER of the church. And when you shall receive this POWER (the Holy Spirit of God), you shall be witnesses unto all parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).

In Acts, Jesus is not just the progenitor of the church, but also the power of the church.

Points to ponder:
Are you part of the Church of God? In other words, have you believed in Jesus and received his Holy Spirit (the oil in the lamp) so that you are not found wanting when Jesus the bridegroom returns. Upon your/my confession, that Jesus is the Son of God, is His Church built; a Church that is powerful because Jesus is the POWER behind the Church. Have you confessed?

Jesus in the NT :: John

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On December 8, 2011

In Christian

The book of John gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the  New Testament (N.T).

It was written by the disciple of Jesus named John whose name in Hebrew is Johanan meaning God has been gracious. While Luke portrays Jesus as the Son of man, John portrays Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus is the son of the Most High God; Son of the Highest (Luke 1:31-32). Infallibly, the way Jesus’ genealogy is recorded is NOT Yeshua ben Yousef  (Jesus the son of Joseph) but Matthew 1:16 stataes that Joseph was the husband of Mary of whom Jesus, conceived in her by the Power of the Holy Ghost was born, and called Christ (Messiah/Savior)

The ever familiar verse in John 3:16 reads For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ‘Only begotten Son’ means what? The word ‘only’ implies that there is no other; no other means to Salvation. The word ‘begotten’ implies that there is no distinction between God the Father and God that Son. See we were created (made) in the image of God, meaning that we are the creatures and God is the creator and there is a creator-created being distinction. In the case of Jesus, Jesus was not created, but begotten. To beget is to be the Son of … To be begotten is to have no distinction from the father. Jesus said, “I am the Father are One”

The crescendo of the coming of Jesus Christ is given in the good news in John 3:16, but the even greater news is this, as said in John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Interestingly, John is the only Gospel that talks about rebirth (being born again as the children of God). The Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons/daughters of men could become the sons/daughters of God.

In John, Jesus is the Son of the Highest; the Most High God; The Only begotten Son of God.

Points to ponder:
Are you a son/daughter of God? If not, why not? All you have to do is believe and receive; believe on his name (Jesus Christ) and receive him (to be your Lord and Savior).

Jesus in the NT :: Luke

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On December 7, 2011

In Christian

The book of Luke gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the  New Testament (N.T)

It is written by Luke, a physician by profession, who writes about Jesus, THE PHYSICIAN.

Jesus healed
– the possessed to show that those who are in bondage can be made free and he/she whom Jesus makes free is free indeed (John 8:36)
– the blind to show that darkness is dispelled by the Light (of the World)
– the deaf to show that the good news can be heard
– the mute to show that even the dumb can proclaim the good news
– the paralytics to show that that invalid can be made valid
– the lepers to show the unclean can be made clean
– the shriveled hand to show that the withered can be made whole/stretched to serve
– the lame to show that one can no longer have a lame excuse to not walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4)
and even
– the dead to show that In him is life, life abundant and those who believe in Him, though they are dead yet shall they live (John 11:25).

The one verse summarization of who Jesus is, as portrayed by Luke can be found in the story of Zacchaeus (the seeker) that is recorded in Luke 19:10 which reads “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that  which was lost.” Not only does this verse inform us of the PERSONALITY of Jesus Christ, but it also informs us of His PURPOSE and POSITION. Jesus’ personality is a SEEKING personality for He is the Good Shepherd that will go after even the One who is lost (Matthew 18:12) so that His purpose, which is to SAVE all  (2 Peter 3:9) who believe is fulfilled and even though He is the Son of God, He took on the form of man, as the Son of man to SEEK and to SAVE.

In Luke, Jesus is portrayed as the Son of man, but what does that title mean. Before we delve into exploring what the title “the Son of man” means, it is interesting to note that the book of Luke is the only gospel that records the childhood of Jesus and gives us a model of how our own children should be raised. The two verses that speak of Jesus’ childhood are Luke 2:40 and Luke 2:52. Luke 2:40 informs us that as Jesus grew, he grew strong in Spirit and was filled with wisdom (the reverence/fear of the Lord) and God’s grace was upon him. Luke 2:52 lays down the four-fold development model as to how we should raise our own children. It states, And Jesus increased in wisdom (mentally) and stature (physical), and in favour with God (spiritually) and man (socially).  We must raise our children in the fear of the Lord as well so that they can grow mentally, physically, spiritually loving God and socially loving their neighbor as themselves.

So what does the title “the Son of man” mean? To answer this question, we need to go to the Book of Daniel. Recorded in Daniel 7:13-14 in a vision which gives us a clue. Daniel 7:13-14 reads
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:62), and came to the Ancient of days (Psalm 90:2), and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory (a Name above all names – Philippians 2), and a kingdom (the King of the Jews), that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him (all knees should bow to Jesus and confess that He is God): his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom (the kingdom of the King of kings) that which shall not be destroyed.

In Luke, Jesus is the Son of man, which means He is the King of kings, with an indomitable indestructible kingdom, who first came to SEEK and to SAVE (heal) all who are lost (dead without God), and who will come with the clouds of heaven to be SERVED.

Points to ponder:
The sheep that refuses to fall into the seeking hands of the Good Shepherd cannot be saved. Jesus is seeking you! Have you placed your life in his hand by believing in Him. If you do, he will place you on his shoulders (Luke 15:5) and lift you up out of the horrible pit/abyss and place your foot on a strong and sure foundation (Psalm 40:2), which is Himself.

And for those who have been Saved by His Grace, are we practicing to serve Him here on earth, for we certainly will be serving him in heaven, when He returns and it may be a good idea to get some practice now.

Jesus in the NT :: Mark

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On December 6, 2011

In Christian, Movie Motions

The book of Mark gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the  New Testament (N.T).

Attributed to be written by John whose surname was Mark (Latin Marcus) (Acts 12:25), the book of Mark has a dual focus on the work of Jesus; His SERVICE and SACRIFICE. The crux of the message of Mark can be found in one verse, in Mark 10:45, which reads “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark portrays Jesus to be the Servant and the Savior.

In the vision that Ezekiel had, one of the faces of the creatures with four faces is that of an Ox (Ezekiel 1:10). For those who have been raised in India, the sight of oxen being yoked with one another and plowing the field in servitude is a common sight. Jesus said I am the Father are one (John 10:30), meaning that he was One (yoked) with God (1 Timothy 2:5), in God’s mission of reconciliation of man to Himself and He came to serve unto Salvation (1 Timothy 2:6). In other words, Jesus was yoked and serving God.

In Mark, Jesus is The Servant of God, who came to SERVE and to SAVE. He is THE perfect Servant, with whom God was well pleased (Mark 1:11) for His great faithfulness in finishing the work of Salvation that God has ordained unto Him (John 19:30).

In Mark, Jesus is The Servant-Savior!

Points to ponder:
We have to be yoked in carrying the Cross with Christ and and we must serve Him. I believe the account of Simon the Cyrene carrying the Cross with Christ, along via dolorosa (the way of suffering) is to demonstrate to us that we are to share in the suffering of Christ and carry the Cross with Him. Simon the Cyrene, in the recorded account is said to have been compelled (forced) to carry the Cross (Mark 15:21). In the movie, The Passion of the Christ, the actor who played the part of Simon the Cyrene says the following words, when he is forced to carry the Cross of Christ: “Let everyone know that I am an innocent man forced to carry the Cross of a condemned man.” How ironic? It is we (and Simon the Cyrene) who are all condemned, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), but it was Jesus Christ, an innocent man (2 Corinthians 5:21) who carried our Cross, not the other way around. We are the condemned and our Cross was carried by an innocent sinless man.

Now the turn is ours to repay that kindness and grace as we are called/commissioned, not compelled, to carry our Cross and follow Jesus. (Mark 8:34)

There are many Christians who want to serve, but not carry the Cross. As Christians, i.e., followers of Christ, the cross should be on our shoulders as we are co-laborers with Him (1 Corinthians 3:9) plowing the field to receive the seed and be fruitful, i.e., preparing the hearts of those who hear the good news of Jesus, the Servant-Savior. We are called to SERVE Christ as he served and become his voice to SAVE others from condemnation by sharing the good news of Jesus’ SERVICE and SACRIFICE.

Our duty is to be yoked with Jesus Christ and be a faithful servant of The Perfect Servant so we can receive the accolade “Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:23) when the Lord returns.

Jesus in the NT :: Matthew

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On December 5, 2011

In Christian

The book of Matthew gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the  New Testament (N.T).

The silence between the old testament (O.T) and the N.T, is broken by the voice of God through his angel, in a dream, to Joseph and God’s words were “Fear Not”.  (Matthew 1:20). Notice how the last words of God in the O.T. is about the possibility of the earth being smitten with a curse, a reason to be afraid (Malachi 4:6), but the first words of God in the N.T. to man is “Do not be afraid” i.e., “fear not” (Matthew 1:20). Why because a child shall be born (signifying the humanity of Jesus Christ), and a son will be given (signifying the divinity of Jesus Christ; For God so loved the world that he GAVE). His name will be called JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins. Jesus is THE SAVIOR.

Matthew is the story of a Jew to the Jews about a Jew, one who will hail from the line of David, the tribe of Judah. In Revelation 5:5 we see the account of the elder who sees that the one worthy to open the scroll and break its seals is Jesus Christ, as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David. Why is this important? Because the Jews were prophesied to, that the Messiah will come from David’s line. Matthew is establishing the fact that Jesus is indeed the Messiah they seek, the fulfillment of the O.T. prophecies.

Jesus is not just the Savior from the line of David, but he is a King; The Lion of the tribe of Judah. he is not just an ordinary king, but He is the the King of kings, THE SOVEREIGN KING. In fact, the book of Matthew establishes this fact that Jesus is King. In the first coming, Jesus came as a Savior (Matthew 1:21). In the second coming, Jesus will come as the King. Remember his first ministerial words, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near” (Matthew 4:17). Also interesting is the fact that the first question posed upon the birth of Jesus, by those deemed wise was “Where is he who is born the King of the Jews? (Matthew 2:2) and in his death, upon the Cross, the accusation (actually the affirmation) was IESVS NAZARENVS REX IVDAEORVM which meant Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews (Matthew 27:37). In both his birth and in his death, Jesus was recognized as a King.

In the plaque that hung on the top of Jesus’ head, as he hung on the Cross, dying in our stead, for our sins, being innocent, the affirmation was that He is SAVIOR (aka Jesus) and KING (aka Rex Ivdaeorvm).

In Matthew, Jesus is The Savior-King; the Sovereign King of kings.

Points to ponder:
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? If not, ask Him to be by saying, “Lord, I am a sinner and I can’t save myself from God’s just judgment, but I believe that you are the Son of God and you took upon my punishment and died in my stead, I believe. Be my Savior! Amen”.
Now, if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, do you allow Him to be your King?

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