|
|
What Is The Truth About The Savior? |
|
From the time of Adam and Eve the Lord remained faithful to his promise to send a Savior. Through the centuries of time he unfolded more and more details about the person and the work of the Savior, who would reconcile the sinners of the world to himself. When the time was right according to his plans, the Lord sent the Savior into the world. The purpose of this lesson is to learn about this Savior who came for our sakes and what he did to save us.
1. How do we know the Savior came?
Gal. 4:4,5 When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Lk. 2:10,11,13,14 And the angel said to them, “Stop being terrified. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people, for today in the city of David a Savior was born to you, who is Christ the Lord”. . . And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased.”
Jn.4:25,26 The woman says to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, who is called Christ; when that One shall come, he will make all things known to us.” Jesus says to her, “I myself, the one who is speaking to you, am he.”
Mt.11:2-6 Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by means of his disciples a message and said to him, “Are you the one who was to come or are we to expect another?” And answering, Jesus said to them, “Go and report to John the things which you are hearing and seeing: “the blind are receiving sight and the crippled are walking around, the lepers are being cleansed and the deaf are hearing, and the dead are being raised and the poor are having the gospel preached to them. “And blessed is the man who is not caused to fall on account of me.”
Luke 24:44 Then he (the resurrected Jesus) said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things that had been written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
1 Jn.1:1, 2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked at and our hands touched, concerning the Word of Life – and the Life appeared, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the Life Eternal, such as was face to face with the Father and appeared to us –
Acts 4:12 And salvation is in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
The apostles testified that Jesus is the one, true Savior, the only source of salvation.
Mt.1:21 “And she will bear a son and you will call his name Jesus, for he himself will save his people from their sins.”
The Truth Is:
We know the Savior did come:
2. In what way was this Savior unique, meaning one of a kind and unlike anyone else?
Gal.4:4 . . . when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman,. . .
Lk.2:11 . . . “for today in the city of David a Savior was born to you, who is Christ the Lord.
Acts 20:28 . . . to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased for himself by means of his own blood.
Jn.1:1,2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was face to face with God, and the Word was God. This One was face to face with God in the beginning.
Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Mt.28:20 And behold, I am with you always until the end of the age.”
Jn.21:17 And he (Peter) says to him, “Lord, you know all things, . . .
Mt.28:18 And when Jesus approached, he spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
Jn.1:3 Through him all things were made, and without him not even one thing was made that has been made.
Heb.1:3 . . . who (the Son of God) continues to be the radiant splendor of his glory and the exact representation of his actual being, and who continues to uphold all things by his powerful word
Mk.2:10 . . . the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on the earth.
Jn.5:27 And he (the Father) has granted him authority to carry out judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
Jn.5:22,23 “For not even the Father judges anyone, but has given all judgment to the Son, in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
Lk.24:39 “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I, I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have!”
Mt.26:38 At that time he says to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death.
Lk.22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”
Lk.2:11 . . . for today in the city of David a Savior was born to you,
Lk.2:52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.
Jesus grew up from childhood to adulthood, which is a human experience that all people have.
Mk.4:38 And yet he himself was sleeping in the stern upon a cushion.
Mt.4:2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he then became hungry.
Jn.19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things have already been accomplished, said in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “I am thirsty.”
Jn.11:35 Jesus wept.
Lk.24:26 “Was it not necessary that the Christ had to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
Lk.23:46 And with a loud voice Jesus called out and said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” And after he said this, he breathed his last.
Lk.23:53 And when he had taken it (the body of Jesus) down, he wrapped it in linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb hewn in the rock where no one was ever laid.
The Truth Is:
The Savior was unique.
1. He was both true God and true man in one person.
2 We believe he was true God because:
a. He possessed a real human body.
b. He possessed a real human soul.
c. He possessed a real human will of his own.
d. He had human experiences--birth, mental and physical growth, sleep, hunger, thirst, sorrow, suffering, death, and burial.
3. According to God’s plan for saving us, why was our Savior true God?
Lk.1:35 . . . for this reason also the holy Child who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Ro.10:4 For Christ is the end of law for righteousness for everyone who believes.
Gal.4:4, 5 . . . but when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
1 Pet.1:18, 19 . . . knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things, such as with silver or gold, from your worthless way of life handed down from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless. . .
1. Christ was the Son of God, so he could redeem, which means buy back, all people from sin, death, and hell.
Heb.2:14,15 Since, then, the children have shared in and continue to share in flesh and blood, he himself also in just the same way partook of the same human characteristics, in order that by means of death he might deprive of his power the one who holds the power of death, that is the devil, and release all those who were subject to slavery by the fear of death throughout all their lives.
1 Cor.15:55-57 WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR VICTORY? WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR STING?” Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who give us the victory by means of our Lord Jesus Christ!
The Truth Is:
According to God’s plan for saving us Jesus was the Son of God:
4. According to God’s plan for saving us, why was our Savior true man?
Gal.4:4,5 . . . but when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Jesus was true man, so he could be our substitute under God’s law to redeem us by obeying it perfectly for us.
Heb.2:9 . . . but we see Jesus, who had been made inferior to the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of suffering death, in order that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
The Truth Is:
According to God’s plan for saving us, Jesus was a true human being:
1. How do we know the Savior came?
Gal. 4:4,5 When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
- The Word of God, which is the truth, says God’s Son, the Savior, was born into the world.
Lk. 2:10,11,13,14 And the angel said to them, “Stop being terrified. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people, for today in the city of David a Savior was born to you, who is Christ the Lord”. . . And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased.”
- The birth of the Savior was announced by angels.
Jn.4:25,26 The woman says to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, who is called Christ; when that One shall come, he will make all things known to us.” Jesus says to her, “I myself, the one who is speaking to you, am he.”
- Jesus of Nazareth admitted he was Christ, the Savior, who was to come.
- His name Christ, or Messiah, means the Anointed One.
Mt.11:2-6 Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by means of his disciples a message and said to him, “Are you the one who was to come or are we to expect another?” And answering, Jesus said to them, “Go and report to John the things which you are hearing and seeing: “the blind are receiving sight and the crippled are walking around, the lepers are being cleansed and the deaf are hearing, and the dead are being raised and the poor are having the gospel preached to them. “And blessed is the man who is not caused to fall on account of me.”
- Jesus pointed to his preaching and his miracles as proof that he was the promised Christ in whom we should believe.
Luke 24:44 Then he (the resurrected Jesus) said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things that had been written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
- Jesus’ resurrection proved he was the Son of God (see Romans 1:4). After his resurrection he said that the Old Testament messianic prophecies were written about him. He was the promised Christ.
1 Jn.1:1, 2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked at and our hands touched, concerning the Word of Life – and the Life appeared, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the Life Eternal, such as was face to face with the Father and appeared to us –
- The apostles were eyewitnesses who saw, heard, and touched Christ, the Word.
Acts 4:12 And salvation is in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
The apostles testified that Jesus is the one, true Savior, the only source of salvation.
Mt.1:21 “And she will bear a son and you will call his name Jesus, for he himself will save his people from their sins.”
- The name Jesus means Savior.
The Truth Is:
We know the Savior did come:
- God’s Word, which is the truth, says he came.
- Angels announced his birth into the world.
- Jesus of Nazareth said he was the Christ and pointed to his preaching and to his miracles as proof of whom he was.
- The apostles were eyewitnesses who testified Jesus was Christ, the Savior.
- Jesus means Savior. He was given this name because he would save people from their sins. His name Christ means the Anointed One.
2. In what way was this Savior unique, meaning one of a kind and unlike anyone else?
Gal.4:4 . . . when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman,. . .
- The Savior was both true God and true man in one person.
Lk.2:11 . . . “for today in the city of David a Savior was born to you, who is Christ the Lord.
- The Savior was born a human being, and at the same time he was the Lord God.
Acts 20:28 . . . to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased for himself by means of his own blood.
- God in the person of Jesus became a true human being of flesh and blood.
Jn.1:1,2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was face to face with God, and the Word was God. This One was face to face with God in the beginning.
- Christ was present at the beginning of creation, which tells us he is eternal, and which is a characteristic that only God has.
Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
- Christ is unchanging and always the same, which is a characteristic that only God has.
Mt.28:20 And behold, I am with you always until the end of the age.”
- Since Christ will always be with each of us believers, he is everywhere present, or omnipresent, which is a characteristic that only God has.
Jn.21:17 And he (Peter) says to him, “Lord, you know all things, . . .
- Christ knows everything, which means he is omniscient, and which is a characteristic that only God has.
Mt.28:18 And when Jesus approached, he spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
- Christ has all authority, which means he is all powerful or omnipotent, and which is a characteristic that only God has.
Jn.1:3 Through him all things were made, and without him not even one thing was made that has been made.
- Christ created all things, which was a divine work that only God did. (Creation)
Heb.1:3 . . . who (the Son of God) continues to be the radiant splendor of his glory and the exact representation of his actual being, and who continues to uphold all things by his powerful word
- Christ preserves, or keeps, all things in his creation, which is a divine work that only God does. (Preservation)
Mk.2:10 . . . the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on the earth.
- Jesus Christ has the authority to forgive sins, which is a divine work that only God can do. (Absolution)
Jn.5:27 And he (the Father) has granted him authority to carry out judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
- Jesus Christ will judge all people, which is a divine work God will do. (Judgment)
Jn.5:22,23 “For not even the Father judges anyone, but has given all judgment to the Son, in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
- Christ is to be honored and worshipped as God the Father is honored and worshipped. (Divine Honor)
Lk.24:39 “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I, I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have!”
- Jesus has a real human body of flesh and bones, like all people have.
Mt.26:38 At that time he says to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death.
- Jesus has a real human soul, like all people have.
Lk.22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”
- Jesus has a real human will, like all people have.
Lk.2:11 . . . for today in the city of David a Savior was born to you,
- Jesus was born, which is a human experience that all people have.
Lk.2:52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.
Jesus grew up from childhood to adulthood, which is a human experience that all people have.
Mk.4:38 And yet he himself was sleeping in the stern upon a cushion.
- Jesus slept, which is a human experience that all people have.
Mt.4:2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he then became hungry.
- Jesus became hungry, which is a human experience that all people have.
Jn.19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things have already been accomplished, said in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “I am thirsty.”
- Jesus became thirsty, which is a human experience that all people have.
Jn.11:35 Jesus wept.
- Jesus wept, which is a human experience that all people have.
Lk.24:26 “Was it not necessary that the Christ had to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
- Jesus suffered, which is a human experience that all people have.
Lk.23:46 And with a loud voice Jesus called out and said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” And after he said this, he breathed his last.
- Jesus died, which, except for the two men who were taken directly up to heaven, is an experience that all people have.
Lk.23:53 And when he had taken it (the body of Jesus) down, he wrapped it in linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb hewn in the rock where no one was ever laid.
- Jesus was buried, which is an experience that people have.
The Truth Is:
The Savior was unique.
1. He was both true God and true man in one person.
2 We believe he was true God because:
- He had divine characteristics--being eternal, unchanging, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent.
- He performed divine works--creation, preservation, absolution, and judgment.
- He was to be honored and worshipped with God the Father.
a. He possessed a real human body.
b. He possessed a real human soul.
c. He possessed a real human will of his own.
d. He had human experiences--birth, mental and physical growth, sleep, hunger, thirst, sorrow, suffering, death, and burial.
3. According to God’s plan for saving us, why was our Savior true God?
Lk.1:35 . . . for this reason also the holy Child who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
- Christ was the Son of God, so he would be holy, righteous, and without sin.
Ro.10:4 For Christ is the end of law for righteousness for everyone who believes.
- Christ was the Son of God, so his divine righteousness could be credited to all who believe in him.
Gal.4:4, 5 . . . but when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
- Christ was the Son of God, so he could redeem all people.
1 Pet.1:18, 19 . . . knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things, such as with silver or gold, from your worthless way of life handed down from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless. . .
1. Christ was the Son of God, so he could redeem, which means buy back, all people from sin, death, and hell.
Heb.2:14,15 Since, then, the children have shared in and continue to share in flesh and blood, he himself also in just the same way partook of the same human characteristics, in order that by means of death he might deprive of his power the one who holds the power of death, that is the devil, and release all those who were subject to slavery by the fear of death throughout all their lives.
- Christ was the Son of God, so he could overcome and defeat the devil and death.
1 Cor.15:55-57 WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR VICTORY? WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR STING?” Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who give us the victory by means of our Lord Jesus Christ!
- Christ was the Son of God, so he could give us the victory of eternal life.
The Truth Is:
According to God’s plan for saving us Jesus was the Son of God:
- So he would be holy and his righteousness could be credited to us for our salvation.
- So he could redeem us with his divine blood, which was so precious it paid for the sins of the world.
- So he could overcome and defeat the devil and death to give us eternal life.
4. According to God’s plan for saving us, why was our Savior true man?
Gal.4:4,5 . . . but when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Jesus was true man, so he could be our substitute under God’s law to redeem us by obeying it perfectly for us.
Heb.2:9 . . . but we see Jesus, who had been made inferior to the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because of suffering death, in order that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
- Jesus was true man, so as our substitute he could suffer the punishment of death for our sins to save us from that punishment.
The Truth Is:
According to God’s plan for saving us, Jesus was a true human being:
- So he could be our human substitute under God’s law to fulfill it for us to redeem us. His righteousness as the perfect Son of Man is credited to us for our salvation.
- So he could be our human substitute who suffered the punishment of death for us to save us from that punishment.
5. What did this man who is God do to save us?
Phil.2:5-8 Keep having this attitude in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider his being equal with God a thing to be attained, but emptied himself in this way that he took the form of a slave when he came to be in the likeness of men; and being found as a man in characteristics he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death – yes, death on a cross!
Lk.22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”
Mt.20:28 . . . “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jn.11:43,44 . . . And after saying these things, he cried out loudly in a mighty voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The man who had died came out,. . .
Mt.17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
Mt.26:50 Then Jesus said to him, “Friend, for this you have come?!!” At that time they approached and laid their hands on Jesus and arrested him.
The Truth Is:
To save us Jesus humbled himself.
6. What does the Bible tell us about the life of Christ in his state of humiliation?
The gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are not a complete biography of Christ’s life. They state what is necessary for us to know, so we may know that he is the Savior through whom we receive eternal life. A brief sketch of his life follows.
After the angel Gabriel announced the future birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias, he appeared to a virgin named Mary, who was to marry Joseph. Gabriel told her that she would conceive a child by the power of the Most High God. When Joseph was disturbed by Mary’s pregnancy, an angel told him Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The child should be named Jesus, because he would save his people from their sins.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where Mary and Joseph had traveled to pay their taxes and to be counted. An angel announced the good news of his birth to shepherds in a field, who then went to worship the baby Jesus. On the eighth day he was circumcised in the temple according to God’s Old Testament law. Perhaps a year or so later, having been guided by a miraculous star, the wisemen came from the east to worship the Lord Jesus in the house he then lived in. When king Herod heard of the child who was born King of the Jews, he tried to murder the baby Jesus. Having been warned by an angel, Joseph took Jesus and Mary to Egypt to flee from the mass murder of the babies in Bethlehem.
At the age of twelve Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. There he amazed the religious teachers of Scripture with his understanding. He returned to Nazareth with his parents, where he grew up as a child and matured in wisdom. Scripture says nothing more about his childhood.
At the age of thirty Jesus’ three year public ministry began with his baptism by John in the Jordan River. The Holy Spirit then led him into the wilderness, where, as our human substitute, he withstood the devil’s temptations. He gathered his disciples and spent his ministry preaching the good news of salvation which had come to the people of the world, and performing miracles which proved he was the promised Christ and supported the Word of God he taught. During those three years he prepared his disciples for their ministries as his witnesses, and he corrected the religious leaders of the Jews who opposed him and planned to put him to death.
After telling his disciples time and again of his coming suffering and death at the hands of the Jewish leaders and the Romans, he made his last journey to Jerusalem to do his Father’s will of dying on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people. He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as the Savior King who came to accomplish the world’s salvation. The crowds and the children proclaimed him the Christ, the Son of David, who was to come.
On Maundy Thursday evening Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples. To their surprise he told them that Judas would betray him. He established the Lord’s Supper for his disciples to eat and drink in remembrance of him for the forgiveness of their sins. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus’ soul endured great agony over his coming crucifixion and death. His sweat fell like great drops of blood. He prayed three times that if it were possible he be spared from the suffering, which he was willing to suffer. Judas then arrived with a regiment of armed soldiers who came to capture and arrest him. Judas betrayed him to them with a kiss. Later Judas, filled with remorse, hung himself.
Jesus permitted them to arrest him and take him bound like a common criminal to Annas, the former high priest, and to Caiaphas the high priest and the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling council of the Jews. Illegally and improperly they put him on trial during the night, calling on false witnesses in an attempt to find grounds for putting him to death. While he was being tried, Peter denied knowing him three times, as Jesus had said he would. The Jewish leaders convicted Jesus of blasphemy for admitting he was the Son of God and the Christ. They sentenced him to death.
Because the Jews did not have the authority to execute a man, they took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. They falsely accused him of starting an uprising by claiming to be a king and telling the people not to pay their taxes. Pilate, after talking to Jesus and hearing that his kingdom was not of this world, found him innocent. Pilate tried to find ways of releasing Jesus, or of at least getting out of having to judge Jesus’ case. He sent Jesus to Herod, since Jesus was under Herod’s rule, but Herod only made fun of Jesus and sent him back. Pilate paired off Jesus with Barrabas, a well known criminal and murderer whom he thought the Jews would gladly see crucified, and offered the Jews their choice of which one he should free. Led by the Jewish leaders, the people shouted for Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate, showing what an unjust and weak ruler he was, for the sake of his own political career, sentenced the innocent Jesus to death and tried to wash his hands of this unjust wrongdoing by laying it on the Jewish people.
At nine o’clock in the morning Jesus was crucified on Calvary between two thieves. He spoke seven times from the cross. He endured the horrible, inhuman pains of crucifixion, which were inflicted on him by the people of the world who rejected him--the very people he had come to save. While on the cross he also endured the pains of hell for the sins of the world, which he suffered during those dark hours when his Father deserted him. From noon to three o’clock the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the earth. Jesus declared the redemption of the human race accomplished when he said, “It is finished.” Entrusting his soul into his Father’s hands with a loud voice to show his life was not being taken from him but that he was giving up his life of his own free will, he breathed his last breath and died. Upon his death the great veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, which showed that the people of the world could now come through Jesus into the presence of God, for the barrier of sin had been removed by Jesus’ death. A great earthquake split the rocks, and the graves of those who had died in the faith were opened and their bodies were resurrected.
Joseph of Arimathea begged for the body of Jesus. Together with Nicodemus, he buried Jesus’ body in his own unused tomb, which was sealed by rolling a large stone in front of its entrance. The Jews obtained from Pilate a Roman guard to insure that the disciples could not steal Jesus’ body and spread the story that Jesus had risen from the dead. For three days, as the Jews count the days that part of a day is counted as a day, Jesus’ body laid in the tomb until God exalted him.
Phil.2:5-8 Keep having this attitude in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider his being equal with God a thing to be attained, but emptied himself in this way that he took the form of a slave when he came to be in the likeness of men; and being found as a man in characteristics he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death – yes, death on a cross!
- Though the man Jesus was God, he did not consider living before the world as God something he should do to obtain divine honor for himself.
- Though Jesus Christ was God, he humbled himself to live as a mere man, the servant of God, who had come to do God’s will, which was to go to the cross to die and to give his life to redeem us sinners.
Lk.22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”
- Jesus Christ did what God the Father wanted him to do, which was to suffer and die to pay for our sins.
Mt.20:28 . . . “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Jesus gave his life on the cross as the price, meaning the ransom, to set us free from Satan, sin, death, and hell.
Jn.11:43,44 . . . And after saying these things, he cried out loudly in a mighty voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The man who had died came out,. . .
- This verse and the next show that Jesus had divine power and glory, which he revealed through his miracles.
Mt.17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
Mt.26:50 Then Jesus said to him, “Friend, for this you have come?!!” At that time they approached and laid their hands on Jesus and arrested him.
- Except when he performed miracles, Jesus did not use his divine powers. This was made clear when he permitted mere men to arrest him and later crucify him. Rather than use his divine powers to save himself, he humbled himself to live and to die as God’s suffering servant to save us sinners.
The Truth Is:
To save us Jesus humbled himself.
- He did not seek divine honor for himself but lived a lowly human life as the servant of God to redeem us sinners.
- He refrained from using his divine powers during his life except for those occasions when he performed miracles.
- Note: Jesus’ living as a humble servant of God to save us is called his state of humiliation. His humiliation was an act of his human nature, which consisted of this man who was God not living as God on earth and not using his divine powers all the time. The period of his humiliation was his entire life, from his conception and birth to his death and burial.
6. What does the Bible tell us about the life of Christ in his state of humiliation?
The gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are not a complete biography of Christ’s life. They state what is necessary for us to know, so we may know that he is the Savior through whom we receive eternal life. A brief sketch of his life follows.
After the angel Gabriel announced the future birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias, he appeared to a virgin named Mary, who was to marry Joseph. Gabriel told her that she would conceive a child by the power of the Most High God. When Joseph was disturbed by Mary’s pregnancy, an angel told him Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The child should be named Jesus, because he would save his people from their sins.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, where Mary and Joseph had traveled to pay their taxes and to be counted. An angel announced the good news of his birth to shepherds in a field, who then went to worship the baby Jesus. On the eighth day he was circumcised in the temple according to God’s Old Testament law. Perhaps a year or so later, having been guided by a miraculous star, the wisemen came from the east to worship the Lord Jesus in the house he then lived in. When king Herod heard of the child who was born King of the Jews, he tried to murder the baby Jesus. Having been warned by an angel, Joseph took Jesus and Mary to Egypt to flee from the mass murder of the babies in Bethlehem.
At the age of twelve Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. There he amazed the religious teachers of Scripture with his understanding. He returned to Nazareth with his parents, where he grew up as a child and matured in wisdom. Scripture says nothing more about his childhood.
At the age of thirty Jesus’ three year public ministry began with his baptism by John in the Jordan River. The Holy Spirit then led him into the wilderness, where, as our human substitute, he withstood the devil’s temptations. He gathered his disciples and spent his ministry preaching the good news of salvation which had come to the people of the world, and performing miracles which proved he was the promised Christ and supported the Word of God he taught. During those three years he prepared his disciples for their ministries as his witnesses, and he corrected the religious leaders of the Jews who opposed him and planned to put him to death.
After telling his disciples time and again of his coming suffering and death at the hands of the Jewish leaders and the Romans, he made his last journey to Jerusalem to do his Father’s will of dying on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people. He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as the Savior King who came to accomplish the world’s salvation. The crowds and the children proclaimed him the Christ, the Son of David, who was to come.
On Maundy Thursday evening Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples. To their surprise he told them that Judas would betray him. He established the Lord’s Supper for his disciples to eat and drink in remembrance of him for the forgiveness of their sins. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus’ soul endured great agony over his coming crucifixion and death. His sweat fell like great drops of blood. He prayed three times that if it were possible he be spared from the suffering, which he was willing to suffer. Judas then arrived with a regiment of armed soldiers who came to capture and arrest him. Judas betrayed him to them with a kiss. Later Judas, filled with remorse, hung himself.
Jesus permitted them to arrest him and take him bound like a common criminal to Annas, the former high priest, and to Caiaphas the high priest and the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling council of the Jews. Illegally and improperly they put him on trial during the night, calling on false witnesses in an attempt to find grounds for putting him to death. While he was being tried, Peter denied knowing him three times, as Jesus had said he would. The Jewish leaders convicted Jesus of blasphemy for admitting he was the Son of God and the Christ. They sentenced him to death.
Because the Jews did not have the authority to execute a man, they took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. They falsely accused him of starting an uprising by claiming to be a king and telling the people not to pay their taxes. Pilate, after talking to Jesus and hearing that his kingdom was not of this world, found him innocent. Pilate tried to find ways of releasing Jesus, or of at least getting out of having to judge Jesus’ case. He sent Jesus to Herod, since Jesus was under Herod’s rule, but Herod only made fun of Jesus and sent him back. Pilate paired off Jesus with Barrabas, a well known criminal and murderer whom he thought the Jews would gladly see crucified, and offered the Jews their choice of which one he should free. Led by the Jewish leaders, the people shouted for Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate, showing what an unjust and weak ruler he was, for the sake of his own political career, sentenced the innocent Jesus to death and tried to wash his hands of this unjust wrongdoing by laying it on the Jewish people.
At nine o’clock in the morning Jesus was crucified on Calvary between two thieves. He spoke seven times from the cross. He endured the horrible, inhuman pains of crucifixion, which were inflicted on him by the people of the world who rejected him--the very people he had come to save. While on the cross he also endured the pains of hell for the sins of the world, which he suffered during those dark hours when his Father deserted him. From noon to three o’clock the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the earth. Jesus declared the redemption of the human race accomplished when he said, “It is finished.” Entrusting his soul into his Father’s hands with a loud voice to show his life was not being taken from him but that he was giving up his life of his own free will, he breathed his last breath and died. Upon his death the great veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, which showed that the people of the world could now come through Jesus into the presence of God, for the barrier of sin had been removed by Jesus’ death. A great earthquake split the rocks, and the graves of those who had died in the faith were opened and their bodies were resurrected.
Joseph of Arimathea begged for the body of Jesus. Together with Nicodemus, he buried Jesus’ body in his own unused tomb, which was sealed by rolling a large stone in front of its entrance. The Jews obtained from Pilate a Roman guard to insure that the disciples could not steal Jesus’ body and spread the story that Jesus had risen from the dead. For three days, as the Jews count the days that part of a day is counted as a day, Jesus’ body laid in the tomb until God exalted him.
7. In what ways was the man Jesus exalted, which proved he is our Savior?
1 Pet.3:18-20 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous One in place of the unrighteous ones, in order to bring you to God, on the one hand having been put do death in flesh but having been made alive in spirit; in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who at one time were unbelieving when the patience of God continued to wait expectantly in the days of Noah while the ark was being built, in which a few, that is eight persons, were brought safely through by means of the water, . . .
Mt.28:1-15; Mk.16:1-14; Lk.24:1-49; Jn.20:1-21; Acts 1:3; 1 Cor.15:4-8
Ro.1:4 . . . who was declared the Son of God with power by his resurrection from the dead in accordance with his spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, . . .
Tit.1:2 . . . God, who does not lie, . . .
Ro.4:25 . . . who was delivered up to death on account of our sins and was raised on account of our being declared righteous.
Jn.14:19 . . . because I live, you also will live.
Lk.24:51 . . . he parted from them and was taken up into heaven.
Jn.14:2,3 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you, for I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also. . .
Acts 1:11 “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, in this same way will come just as you have seen him going into heaven.”
Acts 10:42 . . . this man (Jesus) is the One who has been appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.
Eph.1:20-23 . . . he (God) raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms high above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the age to come. And God put all things under his feet, and gave him as head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. . .
Ro.8:34 Who is he who will condemn? Christ Jesus is he who died, and what is more who was raised to life, who is also at the right hand of God, who is also interceding for us.
The Truth Is:
The man Jesus was exalted by God, which proves he is our Savior.
For your personal study before the next lesson:
A. Read:
Genesis, chapters 36-42, a chapter a day
Luke, chapters 15-21, a chapter a day
B. Complete the following review questions. Write out your answers in the spaces provided.
1. Many have rejected the biblical teaching of Jesus’ virgin birth, claiming that Jesus had a human father. Does it make a difference as far as your salvation is concerned whether Jesus was conceived and born as the Bible says he was or whether he was born of Mary by means of a human father? If so, what?
2. The Bible says that Jesus was both put to death and that he gave up his life willingly himself. How are both of these statements correct?
3. Was the man Jesus different from the rest of us human beings? Explain your answer.
4. Explain why Jesus needed to be the Son of God to be our Savior.
5. Explain why Jesus needed to be a human being like ourselves to be our Savior.
6. In your own words define the period of Jesus’ state of humiliation and what it consisted of.
7. Explain what Jesus’ state of exaltation includes.
8. What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to you personally?
9. What is Jesus doing for you now at the right hand of God?
7. In what ways was the man Jesus exalted, which proved he is our Savior?
1 Pet.3:18-20 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous One in place of the unrighteous ones, in order to bring you to God, on the one hand having been put do death in flesh but having been made alive in spirit; in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who at one time were unbelieving when the patience of God continued to wait expectantly in the days of Noah while the ark was being built, in which a few, that is eight persons, were brought safely through by means of the water, . . .
- Jesus’ body was made alive again and resurrected in a spiritual, glorified body, such as Paul described in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.
- Alive once again, the body of Jesus descended into hell to proclaim his victory over the devil, sin, and death. This assures us that through Jesus we have the victory over these enemies.
Mt.28:1-15; Mk.16:1-14; Lk.24:1-49; Jn.20:1-21; Acts 1:3; 1 Cor.15:4-8
- These sections of the Bible tell us about Jesus’ resurrection and his appearances to his disciples. Early on Sunday morning an angel descended to the tomb. An earthquake occurred, and he rolled the stone away from the tomb. The Roman guards, terrified, fell to the ground like dead men and then fled. The women who came to anoint Jesus’ body saw a vision of angels, who told them Jesus had risen from the dead. Beginning that Easter morning Jesus showed himself alive to his disciples over a period of forty days. He appeared to Mary Magdelene, the women, Peter, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, the disciples Easter evening and again a week later when Thomas was present, to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee, to James, to more than five hundred at the same time, and to Paul.
Ro.1:4 . . . who was declared the Son of God with power by his resurrection from the dead in accordance with his spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, . . .
Tit.1:2 . . . God, who does not lie, . . .
- According to Romans 1:4 above Jesus’ resurrection declared he was the Son of God. His resurrection, then, also confirmed that what he had taught was the truth; for being God, he does not lie.
Ro.4:25 . . . who was delivered up to death on account of our sins and was raised on account of our being declared righteous.
- Justification is God’s declaration that we are forgiven and righteous. This verse tells us God raised Jesus from the dead as his declaration that our sins are forgiven.
Jn.14:19 . . . because I live, you also will live.
- Jesus’ being raised from the dead to live assures us that we also will rise from the dead to live eternally.
Lk.24:51 . . . he parted from them and was taken up into heaven.
- Jesus left his disciples and was taken up, or ascended, into heaven.
Jn.14:2,3 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you, for I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also. . .
- Jesus went up, ascended, into heaven to prepare a place there for us.
- Jesus will come back from heaven to take us to be with him there.
Acts 1:11 “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, in this same way will come just as you have seen him going into heaven.”
- As Jesus visibly went up into heaven, so he will visibly come back from heaven.
Acts 10:42 . . . this man (Jesus) is the One who has been appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.
- When Jesus visibly comes back from heaven, he will return to judge all people, the living and the dead. This assures us that our Judge will be our loving Savior Jesus.
Eph.1:20-23 . . . he (God) raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms high above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the age to come. And God put all things under his feet, and gave him as head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. . .
- After Jesus rose from the dead and when he ascended into heaven, God seated Jesus at his right hand, which means God put Jesus in the position of divine authority to rule over all things for the benefit of his church of believers.
- The exalted and glorified Jesus fills all things with his divine power and glory.
Ro.8:34 Who is he who will condemn? Christ Jesus is he who died, and what is more who was raised to life, who is also at the right hand of God, who is also interceding for us.
- At the right hand of God in heaven Jesus intercedes for us, which means he pleads our case in our defense.
The Truth Is:
The man Jesus was exalted by God, which proves he is our Savior.
- The glorified Jesus descended into hell to proclaim his victory over the devil, sin, and death, which assures us that through him we have victory over these enemies.
- Jesus’ body was resurrected from the dead, which assures us that he is the Son of God, his Word is true, our sins have been forgiven, and that we will rise to eternal life.
- Jesus ascended into heaven, which assures us we also will ascend into heaven.
- Jesus will return visibly in glory to judge the world, which assures us that our judge on the last day will be none other than our loving Savior, who has delivered us from eternal punishment.
- Jesus was seated in the position of divine authority over all things in heaven and on earth, which assures us he is even now governing all things for the benefit of his church on earth and is pleading our case at the throne of God. He fills all things with his divine power and glory.
For your personal study before the next lesson:
A. Read:
Genesis, chapters 36-42, a chapter a day
Luke, chapters 15-21, a chapter a day
B. Complete the following review questions. Write out your answers in the spaces provided.
1. Many have rejected the biblical teaching of Jesus’ virgin birth, claiming that Jesus had a human father. Does it make a difference as far as your salvation is concerned whether Jesus was conceived and born as the Bible says he was or whether he was born of Mary by means of a human father? If so, what?
2. The Bible says that Jesus was both put to death and that he gave up his life willingly himself. How are both of these statements correct?
3. Was the man Jesus different from the rest of us human beings? Explain your answer.
4. Explain why Jesus needed to be the Son of God to be our Savior.
5. Explain why Jesus needed to be a human being like ourselves to be our Savior.
6. In your own words define the period of Jesus’ state of humiliation and what it consisted of.
7. Explain what Jesus’ state of exaltation includes.
8. What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to you personally?
9. What is Jesus doing for you now at the right hand of God?
Return to the Bible Studies page.
