God the Son

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Indeed, if we would see Jesus, we must “kneel down.” Seeking to understand Jesus and what He has done for us demands that we “kneel down” again and again in prayer. To know Him and begin to comprehend the divine/human nature of Christ is impossible without divine help. Yet, even a child can understand the simple truths about Jesus.

Preview

Let’s begin with the virgin birth. The angel told Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the child would be holy. The virgin birth is difficult for humans to comprehend, but God made it possible to show that the incarnation of Jesus is unique. Because Jesus is both divine and human He can save all who come to Him. His divinity gives Him the power to change us. His death on the cross makes it possible for Him to save us. His humanity enables Him to express compassion and care for us. With His humanity Christ encircles the human race; with His divinity He grasps the throne of the Infinite, uniting us with God.

Notice the rainbows. They are made from the union of sunshine and shower. The higher the sun, the lower the rainbow. If the sun rises above 40 degrees, no rainbow can be seen. Were Christ to have come in His divinity, sinful humans could not see or understand Him. But He came united with humanity, so that from our sinful angle we might behold His refracted loveliness and be attracted to Him.

The next time you see a double rainbow, notice that the brighter primary bow has the red color on the outside while in the less-distinct secondary bow the color is reversed. God’s mercy is the primary bow with the red blood of Christ prominently outermost. In the secondary bow, that represents God’s justice, it is reversed. To His sinful but repentant children God says, “Live—I have given you a ransom in Jesus, to accept Him in peace.”

Points to ponder

1. Why did God ordain “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20) the plan for Jesus to become incarnate?

This demonstrates God’s love for the entire universe, showing that salvation from sin was not a hasty thought in the mind of God. In Their infinite wisdom, the Godhead provided that should sin arise, God the Son would come to this earth as a man.

The bluebird has many enemies, but the worst is the house sparrow, which delights in taking over the bluebird’s house. If there are eggs, the sparrows peck holes in them. If there are baby bluebirds, the sparrows kill them by pecking their heads. Then they build their nest on top of the little bluebirds’ bodies. The father bluebird fearlessly goes into the box to do battle with the intruders.

Like the bluebirds’ rescue mission, Jesus came into this world, the stronghold of the devil, to rescue His children. He gave His life in the attempt. Because of His love, because of what He has done on the cross, we shall praise Him all through eternity.

2. Why was God specific in prophesying the time when Jesus would come to earth?

By giving a specific timetable for the coming of Jesus, God showed He is in control of the affairs of earth. This also gives believers another “hook” on which to hang their faith. It is an assurance that the other promises of God—including the promise of the sinners’ restoration—are true.

3. What prophecy gives the time of Jesus’ ministry and death?

Daniel 9:24 specifies that the Messiah would appear during the 70 weeks (490 years) prophecy. It is part of the 2300 days/years prophecy.

Nuts & Bolts

(This is a Questions and Statements section condensing the SDA Believe chapter God the Son. Make sure you read the chapter first.)

1. What strange symbol did God use in the Old Testament? Numbers 21:9

Why did He use it? John 3:14-17

2. Put in your own words the Old Testament predictions that were fulfilled in the New Testament:

• Psalm 41:9

• Zechariah 11:12

• Psalm 22:18

• Psalm 34:20

• Zechariah 12:10

3. If someone who believed the Bible asked you to prove that Jesus was truly God, how would you explain His divine attributes?

• Matthew 28:18

• Colossians 2:3

• Matthew 28:20

• Hebrews 13:8

• Luke 1:35

• 1 John 3:16

• Micah 5:2

4. Your friend sees that Jesus is often called the Son of Man, too. How can you help your friend understand that the Bible also describes Jesus’ human nature, that He had human feelings, and that He depended on His Father?

• Hebrews 5:2

• Matthew 8:17 and Isaiah 52:4

• Matthew 9:36

• John 12:27

• John 11:33, 35

• Matthew 4:2

• Mark 1:35

5. Although divine, what sacrifice did He make, and why?

Philippians 2:6-8

6. Christ’s holy nature was extremely sensitive and pained in any contact with evil. Explain this to your friend using . . .

Hebrews 2:10, 18

7. The Bible says that Christ knew no sin.

1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15

Obviously, Jesus was not tempted to use drugs. Nor did He indulge in watching degrading TV programs. So how could He be tempted in all points as you are?

8. The Bible teaches that Jesus is in the heavenly sanctuary now serving as our High Priest. What encouragement can you gain from His ministry there?

Hebrews 7:25

9. Who pleads for us if we sin?

1 John 2:1

10. Jesus is not only Priest but King.

His kingdom has two aspects. First, the kingdom of grace. It was instituted immediately after Adam sinned. Jesus, when He began His ministry, referred to this when He proclaimed: (Mark 1:15). You enter this kingdom by being... (John 3:5).

Second, the kingdom of glory. It will be established when Jesus comes the second time (Matthew 24:30, 31).

Words to Remember

• Incarnate, incarnation: God in Jesus becoming a man—the mysterious union of the divine and the human.

• Vicarious: Suffering in the place of another for that person’s sin.

• Impeccability: Faultless; sinless.

• Propensities: Inclination, desire.

The Difference Between

Aaron’s and Melchizedek’s priesthood. Aaron’s priesthood (Levitical) differed from Melchizedek’s priesthood. Melchizedek, a priest during the time of Abraham, had no recorded lineage in the Old Testament. The book of Hebrews uses him as a symbol of Christ’s priesthood. Aaron and his sons were assigned the priesthood by God, and only those of the tribe of Levi were allowed to be priests. Thus, Jesus could never serve as a priest, for He came from the tribe of Judah. Jesus can be a priest like Melchizadek by divine appointment. Christ could not become a priest until He had taken the human nature.

Hebrews 2:17

I Truly Believe

Think carefully about each of the following statements. If, in your heart, you agree with the concept of each statement, place a check in the box.

My Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank You for sending Jesus to this earth as the divine-human Person to give me salvation. Please help me to want to follow Him every day. Let my relationship with Him grow more intimate every day.

In His loving name, I pray.

Amen.