The incarnate: Emmanuel Week 52, 2014

Was Jesus Christ a good man, an exemplary teacher whose simplicity and humility the world would do well to emulate? No He wasn’t. Surprised? He IS a good man, and an exemplary teacher; but much more than these. If that is all you know Him as you are deficient. As Jesus was setting out again, a man ran up to him, knelt down in front of him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus looked at him and loved him. Then he told him, "You're missing one thing…”Mk 10:17, 21(ISV). 

Is Jesus a mighty prophet, filled with the true message from the Almighty God, accurately presenting God’s views, promises and judgments to a lost world? Should his messages rule our hearts today and always? This was the limited view of some who followed Him at that time. “Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”  Luke 24:19-21 (NIV).  Perhaps that is all you know of Him. He is much more than a prophet.

Can we say that He was a man filled with the spirit of the messiah at baptism, the son of Joseph and Mary destined for the throne of David? "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Jn 1:45(NIV). Wrong.

Jesus Christ is not like any other man of God. He is not like the world’s prophets either. There have been many religious figures. Mohammed was given a message by spirit beings, but he was born a product of a man and woman. He began from conception.  Buddha was an exemplary teacher in many people’s opinion. He was also a man with a beginning. Jesus however is from eternity. "As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah … the one who rules in Israel for me will emerge from you. His existence has been from antiquity, even from eternity Mic 5:2(ISV).   He is not a man possessed by the spirit of God. He is God born as man: the incarnate one. God, the eternal spirit, took up a body formed in the womb of the virgin to save us from sin. Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. Lk 1:34-35(ESV) He says to those that see Him as a good teacher, "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Nobody is good except for one—God” Mk 10:18(ISV). In short “I am God”. Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"Jn 20:28(ESV). Perhaps you have been following without knowing who He is. In the New Year I wish you more than a teacher and an example; much more than a prophet in great power and anointing. Receive Emmanuel – God with us. He that goes before you is more than you have known Him to be.