Who is Jesus? This is the question that must be answered, individually, by every person on the planet. As Christians, it is incumbent upon us to answer this question the way the Bible answers it. Therefore, we will endeavor this week to understand who Jesus is; and allow that answer to guide us next week as we delve into what Jesus does.
We (very) briefly explained that Jesus is God in our Trinity discussion; I would like to expand upon that more fully. John 1 gives us a great jumping off point to declaring that Jesus is God as John attributes: pre-existence, creation, sustaining to the Word who is Jesus. Despite what the Jehovah’s Witness’ would have you believe the Word of John 1 is Jesus and the Word is God. Hebrews 1 also helps us understand the deity of Jesus as He is described as sustaining all things and being the exact representation of God (v. 3). Paul’s teaching in Colossians 1 and Philippians 2 also helps as Jesus is described again as: creator, ruler, pre-existent, Lord of all. Much, much, much more could be written on these sections of Scripture, but our point is solid for this discussion; Jesus is God.
Jesus is a man. Huh, didn’t you just say Jesus is God? Yes, yes I did; but Jesus is also a man. He was born (Luke 2), He got hungry (Matthew 4:2), He got thirsty (John 19:28), He was tired (John 4:6), He loved (John 11:3), He had compassion (Matthew 9:36), He had sorrow (Matthew 26:37). Jesus demonstrated the full orb of life from physical needs to emotion needs, thereby demonstrating Himself to be a bona fide, honest-to-goodness person; with a body. But before you get to happy that Jesus was “just” like me; He was more than that. Jesus was the perfect man, and I do not mean like in dating where He was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome (though Jesus probably would have made a great husband). I mean that Jesus was sinless, perfect; what humanity should have been without the Fall in the garden. Hebrews 4:15 touts Jesus’ overcoming of sin in the face of temptation, 1John 3:5 tells us Jesus took our sin and had none in Himself, and 2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us that Jesus who had none took our sin upon Himself.
So what?!?? You said this stuff was going to be important to my life!!!!! Because Jesus is God, He brings to humanity the perfect demonstration of the divine attributes; up close and personal. In Jesus’ life and ministry, the immanence and care of God is displayed in miraculous ways (healing, provision, deliverance, etc.). In His humanity, Jesus bridges the gap between God and us. A perfect sacrifice was needed to redeem sinners. Christ in His deity spans space and time and in His humanity perfectly lives the Law we have forsaken. Jesus mediates for us because He reconciles God and people in Himself and rejoins the relationship broken in the Garden. Ever feel like God is not listening? Ever feel like God is far away? Remember Jesus is God and man and that because of Jesus’ sacrifice God is always listening to His people. Remember because Jesus is interceding to the Father that God is intimately involved and cares. Jesus shows us a God who is awesome and beyond us; who is also connected and close and caring.