When the Lord Jesus went about identifying Himself as INCARNATE SON OF GOD it was a monumental task convincing people THAT HE WAS WHO HE SAID HE WAS…. THE SON OF GOD!
We assume today that everybody know that Jesus is the Son of God. Many people in America grew up believing in the deity of Christ, but later renounced their belief in Christ and joined a cult that teaches Christ is no more than an ordinary man.
Let me give you an example.
Illus: The Islamic religion, requires that a person denounce the deity of Christ is sweeping across America.
We once poured millions of dollars into missionary efforts in Islamic countries to spread the gospel of Christ. Today the Islamic countries are pouring in billions of dollars into America to convert Americans to this damnable false teaching of Islam that denies the deity of Christ.
There are many today who do not believe that Christ is the INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
WHAT IS THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST?
INCARNATION OF CHRIST IS A THEOLOGICAL TERM FOR THE COMING OF GOD’S SON INTO THE WORLD AS A HUMAN BEING.
Suppose you were the Son of God, but nobody knew you were GOD IN THE FLESH but now it is time for them to know who you are.
• You look like a man
• You talk like a man
• You walk like a man
• You eat like a man
But you tell people you are man in the flesh, but you are also the INCARNATE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH!
HOW WOULD PEOPLE REACT TO YOU SAYING THAT?
It would surprise you how many Bible characters in the scriptures that did not FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT CHRIST WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
They had some UNDERSTANDING BUT THEY DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND HE WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU!!!
I. MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS DID NOT FULLY KNOW HE WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
Illus: In the year 1809, the international scene was tumultuous.
Napoleon was sweeping through Austria, and blood was flowing freely.
Nobody then was giving a lot of attention to babies...they were much too engaged in what they considered “more important” matters.
But the world was overlooking some significant births that year.
• William Gladstone was born in 1809. He was destined to become one of England’s finest statesmen.
• That same year Alfred Tennyson was born to an obscure minister and his wife. The child would one day greatly affect the literary world.
• Oliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts that year.
• Not far away, in Boston, Edgar Allen Poe began his eventful life.
• It was also in that same year that a physician named Darwin, and his wife named their infant Charles Robert Darwin.
• In that same year, the cries of a newborn infant in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky, were heard for the first time. That baby’s name was Abraham Lincoln.
If there had been news broadcasts at that time, you probably would have heard the news anchors tell you that the destiny of the world was being shaped that day in Austria.
Similarly, in the year Jesus made His appearance on the earth in Bethlehem and dwelt among us, everyone back then thought the big news event of the year was taxation.
But a young Jewish woman cradled the biggest news of all...the birth of a Savior.
But Mary the mother of Jesus, who was believed to be 16 or 17 years of age DID NOT KNOW FULLY THAT SHE WAS GIVING BIRTH TO THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH.
Notice, I said she did not know FULLY!!!
There are two groups that have different opinions whether not Mary FULLY KNEW THAT SHE WAS GIVING BIRHT TO THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH.
(1) One group state she did know.
They based their opinion on Luke 2:9-11 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
That sounds very convincing like she knew…doesn’t it?
Especially these words, in verse 11, we read, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Some said she knew because the angel of the Lord spoke these words in this passage to her.
Here is the problem!!!
Using this passage of scripture to support their view the angel was not addressing her. They were spoken by the angel that appeared to the Shepherds in the field.
Look at Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
When the Lord appeared to Mary it is in Luke chapter one.
Look at Luke 1:27-33 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. What the angel of the Lord said to Mary was that she was HIGHLY FAVORED AND SHE WAS TO NAME THE CHILD JESUS WHICH SHE DID.
While many believed that Mary FULLY understood that JESUS WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
(2) There are others who believe she DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT JESUS WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
We read in Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to her this was the MOST OUTANDING DAY OF THIS YOUNG GIRL’S LIFE.
But according to Jewish customs of marriages Mary is believed to be only 16 or 17 years of age.
In the life of this young teenage lady…
• An angel of the Lord appeared to her which was overwhelming.
• She was a virgin and going to have a baby
• This young lady had a lot on her mind about being pregnant before marriage when the angel appeared to her.
Look at Luke 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
One translation says when she heard this Mary was, “Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.”
When she heard these things from the angel the Bible says in Luke 2:8-20 SHE PONDERED THESE THINGS.
Let us look at some things the scripture provide SHE DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT SHE WAS GIVING BIRHT TO THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
Let me share with you two things that Mary and Joseph did not fully understand that Jesus was the Incarnate God in the flesh!!!
(1) Years later, Jesus stayed behind at the Temple in Jerusalem to listen to and speak with the teachers.
Look at Luke 2:41-52 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
His parents, however, did not understand His desire to be in His “Father’s business.”
In fact, they chastised Him for causing them to worry.
In Luke 2:49 He said to them…And he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
In other words, Jesus was saying don’t you know WHO IAM and I must be about my Father’s business.
IF Mary knew He was the INCARNANTE SON OF GOD she should have known…
• The Son of God was safe; that his heavenly Father would take care of Him.
• That He would not do anything inappropriate.
But she was all upset as any mother would be if their child was missing.
(2) Here is the REAL PROOF that many think Mary did not FULLY know she gave birth to the INCARANTE SON OF GOD.
• If Mary had fully known that He was the INCARNATE SON OF GOD when she scolded Him for missing, she would have been SCOLDING GOD!
If she really knew who He was the INCARNATE SON OF GOD would she be doing such a thing!
• Also, now suppose she spanked Him, she would have been SPANKING GOD IN THE FLESH!
But instead, she as a mother treated Him like any child in the flesh would have been treated their child if they were missing.
As a child He played with His brother and sisters.
The Bible tells us in Matthew 13:56 the Jesus had four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.
The Lord was raised in a large family:
• Maybe He looked like them physically.
• He ate and slept with them.
• If He fell and got hurt, He bled like them.
But here is one difference HE NEVER COMMITTED A SIN AS A CHILD OR AS AN ADULT.
NOW WHY AM I TELLING YOU ALL THESE THNGS ABOUT HIM AS A CHILD.
Because at the age of 30 He is wanting HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS and the world to know that he is the INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
I have already showed you that his own mother Mary there are some doubts that she fully knew that he was the INCARNATE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH.
But let us look further into the difficulty He had convincing His mother, friends, and siblings that He was the INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
II. HIS OWN FRIENDS DID NOT KNOW HE WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
When He began to declare WHO HE WAS they thought he had lost his mind.
Look at Mark 3:21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.,
In our text today Jesus' friends HEARD HE WAS DECLARING HIMSELF TO BE THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD and they were concerned about His safety.
They “LAYED HOLD ON HIM” as a mild way of saying they SEIZE HIM in the same way a policeman would seize a criminal.
They said He has lost His mind; He is Mad!
His Mother Mary and his friends did not fully know that He was the INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
But also…
III. HIS OWN SIBLINGS DID NOT KNOW HE WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
Look At John 7:5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
That’s incredible!!! Those who lived with Jesus for 30 years did not know He was the INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
Illus: Not one of Jesus’ brothers is mentioned as one of His disciples.
WHEN DID HIS MOTHER, FRIENDS AND BROTHERS COME TO KNOW THAT HE WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH?
• It was NOT during his PRE-CRUCIFIXION MINISTRY!!!
• It was AFTER his RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION; there they are in the upper room worshiping Him as God even his mother.
Look at Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
After His ASCENSION the Bible tells us Mary and His brethren were now praying and believing that He was the INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
• HIS RESURRECTION
• HIS ASCENSION
Was undeniable proof that He was the INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
• The MIRACLES He performed convinced some that He was the incarnate Son of God.
• His crucifixion when darkness covered the earth and the earth began to quake convinced some that He was the incarnate Son of God
But HIS RESURRECTION and ASCENSION into heaven was the OVERWHELMING PROOF THAT HE WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH.
Yes, this was a MONUMENTAL TASK for the Lord WHO LOOKED LIKE AND AN ORDINARY MAN BUT WAS NOT AN ORDINARY MAN…HE WAS GOD IN THE FLESH!!!
There is an old saying…
• If it looks like a duck
• Quacks like a duck
• Walks like a duck
• It must be a duck
Jesus looked like an ordinary man, talked like an ordinary man and even walked like an ordinary man BUT HE WAS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD.
CONCLUSION:
In closing let me say this…
Have you ever done something and it was wrong, and someone chew you out for what you did wrong?
Listen we should never get angry at someone who did something ignorantly. Why? Because if they knew what they were doing was wrong they would have not done it!!!
When the Lord Jesus was hanging on the cross, He was surrounded by people doing something ignorantly.
Jesus looked down from the cross upon a scene that must have been distressing to Him.
• The Roman soldiers were gambling for His clothing (John 19:23–24);
• The criminals on the crosses to either side of Him were reviling Him (Matthew 27:44);
• The religious leaders were mocking Him (Matthew 27:41–43);
• The crowd was blaspheming Him (Matthew 27:39).
• Surrounded by this most unworthy lot, Jesus prayed for them. “Father, forgive them
The two thieves deserve to be on that cross. But the Lord Jesus was a 100% innocent of any of the charges against Him.
But when the Lord looked down from that cross, He could have prayed for ten thousand angels to come and destroy them.
It is important to note that Jesus’ prayer, “Father, forgive them,” does not mean that everyone was forgiven, unilaterally, without repentance and faith.
It does mean that Jesus was willing to forgive them—forgiveness was, in fact, the reason He was on the cross.
But He prayed, “Father forgives them they know what they are doing?”
He knew if they knew He was the INCARNATE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH they would not be doing what they were doing.
Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them,” because He was putting into practice the principle He had taught in the Sermon on the Mount: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43–44).
Jesus asked the disciples one day, WHO DO MEN SAY THAT I AM.
He then made it more personal and said, WHO DO YOU SAY THAT IAM?
That is the question being asked today. Do you know that He is the INCARNATE SON OF GOD IN THE FLESH?
