~ Just The Facts ~
Multiple
millions of people have testified to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. Their convictions have led many to suffering,
torture, even death. Others paused to
honor Jesus and give Him the glory as they themselves stood in the
spotlight. Statesmen artists, athletes,
scientists, peasants, and martyrs have held one thing in common—the
transforming power of God through Jesus Christ.
Most
of those who don’t, or won’t, believe in Him at least acknowledge that He was a
very good man, or even a prophet or teacher.
However, that doesn’t begin to describe Him. Perhaps the Nicene Creed, formulated by
church leaders in a.d. 325, best
articulates His uniqueness: “Jesus, God of God, Light of Light, very God of
very God.”
If
the New Testament is clear about anything, it is this: Jesus Christ was truly God and truly
man. He is not “a” god, or related to
God in some purely ethical sense. He is
called the gate, the true vine, the bread of life, the good shepherd, and the
way and the truth and the life. He is
called the bright Morning Star, the chief cornerstone, and the light of the
world. He is the great physician, and
the Rock of Ages. He is the author and completer of our faith, the first and the last, healer of the
sick, lover of the poor, matchless teacher, King of kings and Lord of lords. Above all, He is the Savior of humanity.
Born
of a virgin and conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ birth was
like no other. Keeping His divine nature
as the eternal Son of God, He took on humanity through His mother. Fourteen prophecies concerning His birth were
perfectly fulfilled.
Jesus
said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). He was and is all wise, as God the Father
is. The disciples and all who heard Him
were amazed because He taught with such authority. With divine power He performed miracles of
healing, drove out demons, and raised people from the dead. Like God His Father, He is immortal; He rose
from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the Father’s right hand.
Although
Jesus was fully human, He never sinned.
He was crucified, died, buried, and rose again three days later,
conquering sin and death, becoming the Savior of humanity. He will return as King and Judge.
No
other prophet or holy man was born of a virgin.
None of them voluntarily died for the world’s sins, none rose from the
dead, none displayed miraculous power of such magnitude, and none claimed to be
fully divine and fully human. In Jesus
Christ, God reached down to humanity, becoming a man to bring salvation for our
sins.
The
Scriptures that answer the question “Who is Jesus?” make enormous claims. Those claims are either true, or they
constitute one horrendous lie. After
honestly examining the Scriptures, “no man can entertain an opinion of
indifference regarding Jesus. If he has
considered the subject at all, he must worship Christ or crucify Him” (the last quote is
from The Inner life of Christ, by
Joseph Parker).
The
above was taken from The Starting Point
Bible and is slightly modified.
comment: You may appreciate the earlier ALN blog
entitled The
Incomparable Christ (March 30, 2010).
the key question:
“Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important
question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it
incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!
~ Robert
Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE
NOW
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