Challenging Questions Concerning Christ

Challenging Questions Concerning Christ

Text: John 14: 8-10

Intro: It is amazing sometimes that we humans can be so familiar with something or someone and yet somehow be oblivious to its or their real nature. It seems so contradictory to know, and yet not to know, at the same time.

How often have we heard the statement, “I thought I knew everything there was to know about that person. But I’ve discovered I really didn’t know them at all.” That statement simply reveals that it is possible to know a person, and yet not really perceive all of the intricate qualities of their personality.

It is precisely this idea that is brought out by Jesus’ response to Philip’s question. As a matter of fact, Jesus seems almost amazed that Philip had not yet discerned His true nature. He said, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not know me, Philip” (John 14: 9)?

Philip had lived and worked with Jesus for almost three and a half years, and yet he had not grasped the fact that to see Jesus was to see God the Father. Their characteristics and personalities were identical. Jesus had previously stated that He and His Father were one (John 10: 30).

With these thoughts in mind, I want to suggest three other questions that I believe are implied by our Lord’s question to Philip. As we consider these questions, it is my hope that we will come to truly perceive the person of Christ in a better way.

Theme: When Jesus asked, “Hast thou not known Me,” I believe He was also asking:

I. HAVE YOU NOT PERCEIVED MY HOLINESS?

A. Jesus Was Holy In His Character.

NOTE: Our Savior’s character was spotless through and through. He was the same in the dark as He was in the light.

Supreme Test of Goodness

The supreme test of goodness is not in the greater but in the smaller incidents of our character and practice; not what we are when standing in the searchlight of public scrutiny, but when we reach the firelight flicker of our homes; not what we are when some clarion-call rings through the air, summoning us to fight for life and liberty, but our attitude when we are called to sentry-duty in the gray morning, when the watch-fire is burning low. It is impossible to be our best at the supreme moment if character is corroded and eaten into by daily inconsistency, unfaithfulness, and besetting sin.

F. B. Meyer in Our Daily Walk

1. The Old Testament prophesied the righteousness of Christ.

Isa.11: 1 “And there shall come forth a rod out of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

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4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”

Jer.23: 5 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

2. The New Testament testifies to Christ’s righteous character.

a. Gabriel declared the holy nature of Christ.

Luke 1: 35 “That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

b. Demons declared the holiness of Christ.

Mark 1: 23 “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”

B. Jesus Was Holy In His Conduct.

1. Peter proclaimed Christ’s doings to be impeccable.

Acts 10: 38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.”

I Pet.2: 21b “…Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”

2. Isaiah prophesied Christ’s death to be in innocence.

Isa.53: 9 “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”

NOTE: Folks, as Christians we have a great responsibility. Our lives are to point people to Christ, for we are His ambassadors. That knowledge should affect how we live.

Queen Victoria

When Queen Victoria was a child, she didn’t know she was in line for the throne of England. Her instructors, trying to prepare her for the future, were frustrated because they couldn’t motivate her. She just didn’t take her studies seriously. Finally, her teachers decided to tell her that one day she would become the queen of England.