“Jesus”
January 28, 2014
Matthew 11:1-6
“After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
John 12: 20-22
”Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.”
What an exciting time it must have been to be living in Israel at this time. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. He was going around restoring sight to the blind; making the paralyzed to walk again; healing the lepers and curing those with diseases. Can you imagine the buzz of gossip going around town? Anyone who was sick or had a loved one who was ill must have had a hopeful desire to see Jesus. They must have thought, “Who IS this man who does such amazing things?” I imagine at every community well or walking to work or wherever people gathered they talked about the amazing things Jesus was doing. Those who were sick or hurt or had loved ones with illnesses and issues received a spark of hope. They probably began to plan on how they could bring their loved one or themselves to Jesus for healing.
The really wise ones got pass the miracles and wondered about the man that was doing them. Who was this miracle man? A couple weeks ago we saw that some thought He was one of the prophets. Peter realized He was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. But Jesus was much more. This morning I want to think about that question and share with you who the Bible says Jesus is. The Greeks stated that they would like to see Jesus. That’s my prayer; that’s my request this morning, too. We want to see Jesus. Who IS this man?
First of all, Jesus was God. Jesus was a healer. In our Scripture, in answer to John the Baptist’s question of whether He was the Messiah or not, Jesus said,
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
Matthew 11:5-6
Why do you think Jesus answered John’s question that way? It was because John knew God’s Word. He was familiar with this Scripture in Psalms.
“Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.”
Psalm 146:5-8
This Scripture in Isaiah, Jesus proclaimed, was fulfilled in Him. (Luke 4:18-20)
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Isaiah 61:1-3
This also explains why the religious community wanted to kill Him later on in His ministry. He clearly claimed to be God. It was only God who could do the things He was doing. Yet He was human. He was flesh and blood. Some of them knew His mother and earthly father and siblings. They couldn’t comprehend that they had misinterpreted the Scriptures. Their idea of the Messiah was a conquering King, not a suffering Servant.
Do you see that as a healer and a helper of people – He was revealing that He was God? The compassion He had with people; the tenderness; the love – only God could have. Jesus was testifying by what He did that He was God. He proclaimed it in the Temple – but only the wise understood. Later, He made it even more clear.
“48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”
52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” John 8:48-59
Do you understand that Jesus used God’s name to describe Himself? God described Himself to Moses as “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Jesus used those same words to describe Himself. The Jews knew that. They knew Jesus was claiming to be God. So they picked up stones to kill Him.
When Jesus told John’s disciples to tell John that He was a healer – He was telling John that He was God in human flesh. His disciples made it even more clear. Let’s take a look at their testimony.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:1-4
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”
John 1:14, 17-18
The testimony of Jesus and the Apostles is that Jesus is God, the second member of the trinity. Even God gave testimony to that fact when Jesus was baptized. Notice the three member of the Godhead in this incident.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17
As healer, Jesus is also God. And as God – Jesus is also the 2. Creator.
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Hebrews 1:1-3
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17
It was Jesus, at the dawning of Creation, who separated the light from the darkness. It was Jesus who created the plants and trees and animals. It was Jesus who brought them to Adam to name. Jesus is the Great Creator. He deserves to be worshipped as such. When you feel the warmth of the sun on your face and the healthy strength in your body and the joy of being alive bubbles up within your soul – praise Jesus. He is the Creator of all that is good.
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:16-17
The enemies of God want to take credit or give someone or something else credit for the good and the beauty in the world. But it is Jesus, who came down by the will of the Father, who created these things. Give Him praise!
Even today it is hard for us to comprehend that Jesus, who allowed Himself to be crucified, was the One who made DNA and super novas and black holes and the mysteries of the universe. It is hard to comprehend because it is so far beyond our experience or understanding. But by faith we believe it. The bible says,
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3
The Scripture says, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
Hebrews 1:3
Jesus is God. Jesus is Creator – but even more importantly is that He is 3.Savior.
At the birth of Jesus an angel appeared and joyfully declared.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
When Adam and Eve choose to believe the “Big Lie” that you will not die if you sin, a curse fell upon them and all of Adam’s race. Because it became our nature to rebel and sin against God, a need for a Savior arose. The Word of God declares,
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way...” Isaiah 53:6
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:10-12
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23
And the judgment was pronounced: “For the wages of sin is death”
Romans 6:23a
What a gloomy picture we have of a fallen race; a rebellious people. But God is much greater than sin. God’s love is much greater than sin! God’s grace is much greater than sin. And the Word declares,
“For the wages of sin is death, but - the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - BUT all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” Romans 3:23-25
We all have sinned against God. We have all fallen short of God’s will and standard for us. But the Good News is that Jesus is not only God; not only Creator – but He is our Savior. The penalty for sin is death – and we all deserve to die because we have all sinned. But God came to earth in human form to pay the penalty for our sin. He died upon the cross for us. Paul wrote,
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus), and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” Colossians 1:19-23
God so loved the world; God loved the world so much - that Jesus came to pay the penalty for our sin so we can be brought back to the loving relationship with God that He intended for us to have all along.
Do you understand how much God loves you and desires you to love Him? He has fantastic plans for His children in eternity. He has fantastic plans for those who have turned from their sin and back to Him.
Jesus is God. Jesus is your Creator. But is Jesus your Savior? He came to save us from our sin and the consequence of our sin. The Bible says,
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
The Gospel is so simple. It seems hard to believe that salvation could be found this way. But the Word of God says,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Jesus is God. Jesus is Creator. Jesus is Savior. The first two have nothing to do with us. Jesus is God whether we like it or not. He just is. Jesus is the Creator – whether we believe it or not. What we think changes nothing. He just is. But the third thing has everything to do with us. Jesus cannot be our Savior unless we make Him our personal Savior. He has chosen to bow to our wills. He has allowed us to make our personal choice. He has given us the power to choose our eternal destiny. If we believe and repent of our sin – He will be our Savior. But He asks us to become a part of this process. Our part is to believe. Our part is to confess our sins. Our part is to turn from rebellion with God and make Him our Lord and King – and in so doing, become our Savior.
If you are willing to do that – the result is that you pass from death to life. And it is as simple as praying a prayer like this – if it truly comes from your heart.
Dear Jesus,
I believe you are God. I believe you are Creator. Jesus, please be my Savior. I have sinned against you. I have gone my own way and did my own thing with no regard for your will for my life. Please forgive me. From this point on, with your help, I will turn from my rebellion and live to follow you.
SONG
