Introduction
Matthew 27:22 records that Pilate asked, “What shall I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?” That is a question everyone must answer. I would like to pose another question: Why must every person answer that question? What is it about Jesus Christ that lays such a claim on every heart?
A. The Person of Christ
1. Jesus is God
a) He is the possessor of God’s names
Matthew 1:23 says, “They shall call his name Immanuel, which, being interpreted, is God with us. In Acts 3:14 the apostle Peter calls Jesus the “Holy One”–an Old Testament name distinctly given to God (e.g., Ps. 16:10, Isa. 48:17).
b) He is one with God the Father
John 8:19 says to know Christ is to know the Father. John 15:23 says to hate Him is to hate the Father. John 14:9 says to see Him is to see the Father. John 5:23 says to honor Him is to honor the Father. And Mark 9:37 and Matthew 10:40 say to receive Him is to receive the Father.
c) He is omnipresent
Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20). Omnipresence is true only of God.
d) He is eternal
Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
e) He is the Creator of the world
John 1:3 says, “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”
f) He is able to forgive sin
Repeatedly in His ministry, Jesus said, “Thy sins are forgiven thee” (Mark 2:9). That is another divine prerogative.
g) He is to be worshiped as God
Philippians 2:10 says, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.”
Scripture clearly indicates that Jesus Christ is fully God. Since He is God, everyone is obligated to respond to Him.
2. Jesus is the perfect God-man
Just because Jesus is God doesn’t mean He is any less man. How do we know? He was born. He was circumcised. He grew. He had a human name. He had flesh and blood. He was hungry. He wept. He thirsted. He slept. He was weary. He suffered. He was tempted. He was wounded. He died. And He was buried. All are indications of His humanness. No one has ever existed like Jesus. He has the right to make tremendous demands on our lives because of who He is.
3. Jesus is the promised Savior
Jesus came into the world not only to show us what God is like, but also to bring us to God. The prophets outlined the details of His life with astounding accuracy.
a) His birth
Micah 5:2 says it would occur in Bethlehem. Daniel 9:24-27 gives the approximate date. Isaiah 7:14 tells us it would be a virgin birth. Genesis 9:26 indicates He would come from the Semitic line. Genesis 22:18 says He would come from the line of Abraham. Genesis 49:10 says He would come from the tribe of Judah. Second Samuel 7:13 says He would come through the seed of David.
b) His life
Hosea 11:1 indicates He would be taken to Egypt. Deuteronomy 18:15 says He would be a prophet like Moses. Psalm 22:10 indicates He would trust God from His birth onward. Isaiah 9:1-2 says He would begin His ministry in Galilee. Isaiah 11:2 says He would be anointed by God’s Spirit. Isaiah 53:4 says He would carry our griefs and sorrows. Zechariah 9:9 says He would enter Jerusalem on a colt. Isaiah 35:5-6 indicates He would perform miracles.
c) His death
Psalm 2:1-3 indicates that kings would plot His death (cf. Acts 4:25-28). Psalm 22:1 says He would die forsaken by God. Psalm 22:6-8 says He would be scorned and mocked. Zechariah 11:12 says He would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. Zechariah 12:10 says He would be smitten and pierced by His own people. Isaiah 52:14 says He would be brutally treated. Isaiah 53:5, 10 says He would die for the world’s iniquity. Psalm 22:18 says His garments would be divided. Psalm 41:9 says He would be betrayed by a friend. Psalm 34:20 indicates that not a bone of His would be broken. Isaiah 50:6 says His beard would be plucked out and that He would be spit on.
d) His resurrection
Psalm 16:10 says He would never see corruption. Psalm 22:22 indicates He would conquer death.
e) His present work
Psalm 110:4 indicates He would function as a priest. Amos 9:11 says He would sit on David’s throne.
B. The Perfection of Christ
1. He is holy
His holiness demonstrates His perfection. Jesus was free from defilement. He loved righteousness, hated sin, was victorious over temptation, rebuked sinners, and will judge unbelievers.
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
