Proclaiming Christ ... For His Glory ... For Your Good

Who Do You Celebrate?

There always seems to be someone talking about who Jesus was/is, especially at Christmas time.  Documentaries are produced which attempt to discredit His identity as well as His activity.  How did Jesus describe Himself?  In the Gospel of John, Jesus described himself as:

• The Son of God – ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life’ (3:16).
• The Messiah/Christ – “The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.’  Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He’” (4:25, 26).
• The Life Giver and Judge – ‘For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.  For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son’ (5:21,22).
• The Bread of Life – ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst’ (6:35).
• The Light of the world – ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life’ (8:12).
• The eternal God – “So the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’  Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM’” (8:57, 58).
• The Door through which we must pass for salvation – ‘I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved’ (10:9)
• The Good Shepherd – ‘I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep (his people)’ (10:11)
• Equal with the Father – ‘I and the Father are one’ (10:30)
• The Resurrection and the Life – ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies’ (11:25).
• Lord – ‘You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am’ (13:13).
• The only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life – ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me’ (14:6)

Hank Hanegraaff correctly observes, ‘The Bible was written over a span of 1500 years by forty human authors in three different languages, on hundreds of subjects.  And yet there is one consistent, noncontradictory theme that runs through it all.’  The Old Testament declares that one would come fitting these descriptions; the New Testament declares that one did come fitting these descriptions.  Christ claimed to fulfill these descriptions.  If Jesus is correct, then how can you escape your need of His ministry?  Trust in Christ; you will not be disappointed.  Celebrate Christ at Christmas; you will find joy that exceeds the excitement of gifts received under your Christmas tree.

Doug Richey, Pastor-Teacher