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 (John 1:1-3).From John 1:14, we know that passage refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. FYI: Jn. 1:1 has no definite article before the word "God". If it did, it would be saying the Word was "the God", which he isn't; he isn't the Father. Instead, he is the Son (not the Father), but it does clearly state his deity in addition to his separate personhood from the Father. Other Important Observations about the Word are:
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and FOR HIM. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Col. 1:16-17).This verse tells us even more; Jesus created everything -- visible and invisible -- and in an ongoing way, upholds all of it. (The "invisible" things would be the angels, which are spirit beings.) At this early point, we already KNOW, the Word:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1).
God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars (Gen. 1:16).In a passing, seemingly trivial way it says, "He also made the stars." It is estimated that there are 400 BILLION stars in our Milky Way galaxy, BUT there are also an estimated 10 TRILLION galaxies! Moreover, the Milky Way galaxy is said to be small compared to other galaxies with the Milky Way being "only" 100,000 light years in diameter! Jesus created all of that!
For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. (Psa. 95:3-5)
Jesus is the ARCHITECT of his own creation (Rev. 3:14) and HIS INFINITE power, wisdom and design abilities are reflected in Earth's ecosystem, a community of interacting organisms with their physical environment. Jesus has it all BALANCED from the tiny microscopic bacteria to the blue whale, the largest known animal.
Those truths alone are just a tiny bit of the reason WHY the Lord Jesus is so PRECIOUS and WONDERFUL. We can NOT comprehend God, who had NO BEGINNING and who has created EVERYTHING OUT OF NOTHING. That is so far beyond our tiny limited abilities to understand, it is a total mind-blow. IMAGINE Jesus being in that unique position with all that infinite:
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you THE ETERNAL LIFE, which was with the Father and has appeared to us (1 John 1:2).These truths help to further understand his INFINITE greatness and why Jesus is the focus for salvation. From that we also know ETERNAL LIFE is a person, not a thing. Consequently, you cannot have eternal life without having Jesus (1 John 5:12,13).
Besides all that, BEFORE his incarnation (becoming man), he is specifically described as "the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Cor. 1:24). Again, he had:
For to us a child is born, to us a son [God's only begotten Son] is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).He's called the "Mighty God" and is shown to be YHWH by comparing OT to NT scriptures and in Isa. 10:21, YHWH is also called "Mighty God".
Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything (Heb. 3:3-4).Especially never forget that Jesus offered a much better, complete and final sin sacrifice for all time -- one time, forever and for everyone. "IT IS FINISHED", he said from the cross (Jn: 19:30). The Greek word refers to a PAYMENT MADE IN FULL.
The PRECIOUS Lord Jesus, SENT BY THE FATHER, came to earth for multiple reasons, but the CHIEF REASON was to redeem us -- so that we could have LIFE through him. He did it all for US, his own creation that was in such desperate need, AND HE HIMSELF BECAME THE FINAL SIN SACRIFICE FOR US and man's ONLY HOPE.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone (Heb. 2:9).PONDER what Jesus did: stepping down from his high and elevated position as the KING OF GLORY to be made a little lower than the angels. The KING OF THE JEWS became a slave (a servant) to die for us all and to give LIFE to all who would FOLLOW HIM UNASHAMEDLY IN THIS wicked and adulterous generation.
For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit... (Isa. 57:15).Imagine any King on earth ever stepping down from his power and glory to become a slave and to die as a criminal for those who have sinned against him. That in the natural has never occurred by any mere human king, yet what KING Jesus did was infinitely greater and VITAL for us.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! (Phil 2:5-8)Jesus' DOUBLE HUMBLING is shown there:
1. He was made in human likeness (became lower than the angels when he became MAN).
2. He humbled himself further by DYING ON THE CROSS (as a criminal).
Humble Jesus said of himself:
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and HUMBLE in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Mt. 11:29).NEVER has the Earth known a greater and more HUMBLE example than Jesus, the KING OF GLORY. While on earth, the Lord of Glory:
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree" (Gal. 3:13).We also read:
...Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his OWN BLOOD (Acts 20:28).GOD BOUGHT THE CHURCH WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, but BEFORE "it was finished", he was cruelly treated and MOST SEVERELY and SAVAGELY BEATEN by wicked and ignorant people. Jesus knowing the sufferings before him sweat blood as he prayed to the Father to have the "cup" (of suffering) removed from him, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE -- BUT IT WASN'T POSSIBLE.
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and HIS SWEAT WAS LIKE DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING TO THE GROUND. (Luke 22:42-44)Jesus knew he was the one spoken of in Isa. 52:14 and yet to be fulfilled before getting to the cross -- his goal:
Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so DISFIGURED beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness (Isa 52:14).Have you ever seen a person who has had a super scared face from birth or who lived through some horrible accident? Well, Jesus was DISFIGURED even more!
**The MOST SEVERELY BEATEN Jesus would have to make it to the cross and die there to pay for our sins. From the MANY BLOWS to the head that JESUS receive, probably gave him double vision in his very weakened BLEEDING body at that point.
Jesus knew beforehand, the way the Sanhedrin, the Roman soldiers and the other unbelievers would beat, mock, insult, spit on, flog and punch HIM. In reality, the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus was already covered with blood BEFORE HE GOT TO THE CROSS and was so weakened by the multiple beatings, he fell with the cross while carrying it to his own crucifixion. Simon from Cyrene was also forced to carry the cross for part of the way (Mt. 27:32). He went as a lamb to the slaughter. Furthermore, this was fulfilled:
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isa. 53:5).Jesus' face, head and body were an unrecognizable blob of swollen and lacerated flesh with blood, spit and mud on them! At that point, he did not even look human anymore. By the time he made it to the cross, his bleeding, swollen and bruised flesh was turning dark.
I'm deeply BOTHERED by the LYING PICTURES of Jesus hanging on the cross with one or two drops of blood on his normal looking body! THAT'S THE DEVIL DECEIVING THROUGH A LYING PICTURE. REMEMBER:
Just as there were many who were appalled at him -- his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness (Isa. 52:14).While hanging on the cross, the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus was covered with blood, mud, dirt and spit, AND he was surrounded by MOCKERS who verbally insulted him. Folks, imagine how his face must have appeared to have his beard plucked out and to be crowned with thorns ALONE, not to mention all the rest. The Greek refers to a single blow in the next passage:
Then they [the Sanhedrin consisting of 70 men] spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?" (Mat 26:67-68).The Greek refers to repeated blows in the following:
Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. 'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Mat 27:27-31)
THEY spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. (Mat 27:30)The "THEY" were "the governor's soldiers" -- the whole company of soldiers (Mt. 27:27).
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face (John 19:1-3).
Just as there were many who were appalled at him -- his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness- (Isa 52:14)Before Jesus was beaten to a bloody unrecognizable pulp, at his arrest, THE KING OF GLORY mentioned 12 + legions of angels which could have rescued him:
"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal MORE than twelve legions of angels?..." (Mt. 26:52-53)FYI, one angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians (2 Ki. 19:35)! That's not to set the limit on what one angel can do either, but Jesus spoke of at least 60,000 angels or more! Then, after his death, a soldier took a spear and rammed it into his side, which produced a flow of blood and water.
...One of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (John 19:34)More blood flowed at that point. Without question, his blood was all over the cross and on the ground around the cross.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).We can't imagine what the sinless lamb of God becoming sin for us made him feel like, but before that occurred, Jesus was:
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed (1 Pet. 2:24, NIV).Translation errors say:
NIV" "wounds"
KJV: "stripes"
The Greek says WOUND -- singular implying Jesus was given so many individual wounds it was no longer multiple individual wounds, but ONE GIANT body "wound"! IMAGINE WHAT THE PRECIOUS JESUS LOOKED LIKE, BUT in that condition, he couldn't die yet -- he had to make it to the CROSS and die there for US, and here is why:
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." (Gal 3:13)But BEFORE Jesus was MARRED BEYOND HUMAN LIKENESS, the creator of the universe said/did things that were ASTONISHING:
(1) Washed his disciples' feet (Jn. 13) -- showing he was VERY HUMBLE.
(2) He stopped a funeral procession and raised to life the only son of the widow of Nain, WITHOUT ANYONE ASKING HIM -- showing he was very COMPASSIONATE:
Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" (Luke 7:14)At a different time, at least 2,000 DEMONS were BEGGING Jesus:
The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs" (Mt. 8:31).WHY? The demons KNEW their own CREATOR and his POWER and GLORY that Jesus had before the incarnation! Folks, it's not about numbers -- it's about GOD. It was one Jesus against thousands of demons, and those demons were begging HIM!
Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ. (Luke 4:41)
"Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" (Luke 4:34)They knew his identity. John the Baptist also said:
"After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie" (Mark 1:7).
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:4-6)IN HEAVEN, WE GET A PICTURE OF WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE CROSS! THE ONE AND ONLY WHO "TRIUMPHED" FOR US IS IDENTIFIED:
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Rev 5:2-12)The LION of the tribe of Judah looked like a LAMB. IMPORTANT! Jesus was slain to receive:
And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began (John 17:5).Jesus left that glory with the Father to come here for us! But he got it all back again. No earthly king, with their tiny power and glory in comparison, would do that, much less knowingly be physically beaten beyond recognition, as Jesus did. More verses reveal the restoration of Jesus' glory:
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Mt. 28:18).Back in Heaven again, Jesus receives EQUAL praise and worship with the Father:
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne AND to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped (Rev. 5:13-14).
A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. (Isa 40:3)
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" (John 1:23)The VOICE mentioned by Isaiah prepared the way for YHWH;
When Jesus became sin on the cross for us, the Father couldn't look upon him then:
Your eyes are too pure to look on evil... (Hab. 1:13).
"For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes" (Deut. 10:17).So who is the "Lord of lords"? The same is YHWH and the "God of gods".
"They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers" (Rev. 17:14).Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of lords. He is king. He is king of kings, and he is the PRECIOUS Lord of lords and King of kings, our Redeemer:
"As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him"-- (1 Pet. 2:4).
For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," (1 Pet. 2:6-7)Man's GREATEST WEAPONS cannot defeat Jesus upon his return:
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. (Rev 19:19-21)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:5-8)The SINLESS God-man BECAME SIN FOR US. That vital change is beyond our ability to understand:
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).
"And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Cor. 5:15).So are you "living for" Jesus? Do you really LOVE JESUS?
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me (John 14:23-24).
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me (Mt. 10:37-38).
"...he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" (Heb. 1:3).His mission was accomplished, the job is done, and the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus OVERCAME as the sin sacrifice for us and provided purification for our sins. A defect-free and blemish-free lamb was slain for sin in the OT and the sinless Lamb of God was sacrificed for us one time forever 2,000 years ago on the cross. The vital significance of the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus is further reflected in his many names and titles, which exceeds 100!
Answering The Most Common Objections To The Deity Of Christ
Jehovah's Witnesses Beliefs Answered And Exposed
Evangelical Outreach Alphabetical Map
Evangelical Outreach
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