To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date sent: Fri, 10 May 2002 15:23:51 -0500
Subject: [HF] Bible Study HF063 - What Jesus Taught About Himself
Hebraics,
Since we know that our faith rests upon the person of Jesus Christ, it
would be good to do a study on what Jesus had to say about Himself.
In this study I'll present seven questions of which I will also give brief
comments, and use basic Scripture support to show what Jesus had to say.
Discussion is welcomed from the membership.
This is Bible Study HF063 - What Jesus Taught About Himself.
First - Did Jesus Teach that He was the Messiah, the Son of God?
In responding to Caiaphas' question as to whether He was the "Son
of
the Blessed One", the Lord said, "I Am; and you shall see the
Son of
Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of
heaven." It was at this moment that Caiaphas tore his clothing and
accused Jesus of blasphemy.
Tearing the clothing was a common way of showing deep emotions.
The reason for this outburst from Caiaphas, was that Jesus left no
doubt as who He really was. The response He gave was filled with
statements that meant something special to the Jewish peoples
concerning the Messiah. But one term in particular set the stage.
Jesus begin by saying, I Am. He followed up with the terms, Son
of
Man, Right Hand of Power, and, Coming with clouds of heaven.
Each of these expressions spoke deeply to the Jewish psyche. The
"I
Am" had to do with the God of the Hebrews. But the Jews also had a
mystical belief that God had appeared at times past in the Old
Testament in the form of a man. These appearances gave the idea of
a second power that proceeded forth from God, and was also God.
The Hebrews called this second power, Memra. The Greeks spoke of
it as 'Logos.' The Hebrews also spoke of it as haKabod, or
'the glory.'
So all these terms put together could only mean one thing. Jesus left
Caiaphas and the council without recourse. It was this statement that
gave them exactly what they wanted. Jesus claimed to be the
Messiah, but He had also made Himself one with God.
Second - Did Jesus teach that He Himself was God?
Some of the Jews stumbled over Jesus because He used language
that connected Himself with the Lord God of Israel. For example, in
responding to their questioning, Jesus said, "Your father Abraham
rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." Then He went on
to say, "Before Abraham was born, I Am." (Cf. John 8:56-59)
In another place we read: "The Jews picked up stones again to
stone
Him. Jesus answered them, 'I showed you many good works from the
Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?' The Jews answered
Him, 'For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and
because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." (Cf. John
10:31-33)
The I AM statement was known in the Jewish religion as a special
signature of God. It connected with Gods covenant name, Yahweh.
So, yes, Jesus did identify Himself as God.
There is another prophetic term used with regard to God's Messiah.
Isaiah spoke of Messiah as Imm anu el, or, in Engish,
Immanuel. This
statement simply means that Jesus was God with us.
Third - Did Jesus teach that He is the only One who could guarantee
life in the world to come?
Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes
to
the Father but through Me. (John 14:6) This very plainly tells us that
if a
person rejects Jesus Christ, they reject all hope of salvation.
This is where the power of the gospel comes in. When the gospel is
being presented, the message itself becomes the door of heaven. To
receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is to step through the door of
salvation, and become qualified for a future in heaven. In addition to
this salvation carries its own witness. Paul said, "The Spirit
Himself
testifies with our spirit that we are children of God." (Rom8:16)
Fourth - Did Jesus teach that He would personally lead us in our walk
in this Life?
The last message to the disciples was, And lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age. The issue of the Lords presence being
with us is at the very heart of the new covenant. Not only did He
promise to be with us, but we actually experience Him in our hearts
daily. This is what Paul meant when he said that the 'glory' was now in
our hearts.
Fifth - Did Jesus teach that He would appear for us a second time?
Jesus said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again and
receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John
14:3)
Here is where it helps to understand the ancient Hebrew wedding. The
ancient wedding had two stages; kiddushin and nissuim. Kiddushin
was the betrothal. Nissium was the catching away. These two stages
were separated by a space of time. When Jesus was sharing with the
disciples, they understood much better than often we do. Jesus used
the wedding as a backdrop for His teaching on the second coming.
In another place, Jesus said, "But keep on the alert at all times,
praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are
about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke
21:36)
Then we have the issue of what is called the rapture. Some folk like to
point out that the word rapture is not in the Bible, but this is not
exactly
true. The problem is with language. Our English word 'rapture'
comes by way of
the Latin, raptura, which translates the Greek word harpazo,
which, in turn,
means to be caught away suddenly. (Snatch.)
Sixth Did Jesus teach that He Himself would be the final judge of
heaven and hell?
The Lord said, "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has
given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as
they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor
the Father who sent Him." (John 5:22,23)
When the 70 disciples returned and were rejoicing over being able to
cast out demons, Jesus said, Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits
are
subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.
Seventh Did Jesus teach that believers could ever be separated
from Him?
What the Bible actually teaches is the security of the believer.
All
these eternal promises are made for believers alone. However, we
should ever take Biblical warnings lightly. New Testament warnings
are almost always on the issue of faith in Jesus.
The security part of our salvation comes from our having been made
one with Jesus Christ. This is where we need to understand the power
of the cross. Is God so weak that He cant keep us for the day of
salvation?
Jesus said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the
one
who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down
from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I
lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day." (John 6:38,39)
The study is open for discussion.
Shalom in Christ,
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace
of God; that no root of bitterness springing up
causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)