The Messiah Foretold
... In our previous two postings we discussed the major themes of the Old Testament, including the creation of the heavens and the earth, the fall of mankind as sin entered the world through Adam, and God’s desire to restore man to fellowship with Himself -- which He would one day accomplish through the Messiah or 'anointed one', or the Greek equivalent, 'the Christ' (Isaiah 49:6; 53:6). We also discussed the devil and his interfering role..... To mend the fallen situation that began with Adam, God would send the Messiah among us. He would be born to a virgin so as not to inherit man’s sinful nature. This, in fact, would make Him a ‘second Adam’ (1 Corinthians 15:45-49); but in order to actually prevail, He would have to face every test that mankind had failed, without ever sinning Himself (Hebrews 4:15). For many centuries God foretold this man, speaking of His life through His servants the prophets. And in the fullness of time each of those prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, who is called the Christ.
.... Jesus is the Son of God, and He has always existed, even before His birth in Bethlehem (see Genesis 1:26; Micah 5:2; John 1:1; Colosiians 1:16). When He was born into this world, like one of us, He became fully human, though He remained fully Divine as well (Colossians 2:9). For only such a person could fully experience every temptation of man, yet pass them all without sinning:
.... "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
(Heb 4:15-16)
.... The life that Jesus lived became a model for us all, that we may be reborn in Him and walk with God righteously. God builds His own godly character in our lives through His grace by making us more like Jesus. It is for this reason that the first four books of the New Testament (which tell us of His life), are called ‘the gospels’, or the 'Good news' of Jesus Christ. But in order to enter this life we must pass through death into a new life in Him, which we will discuss in our next posting.
posted by loren at 7:38 PM
4 Comments:
It is important to understand that Jesus was, in fact, sinless. In foretelling Jesus in the Old Testament law, God gave the illustration of a sacrifice that required a perfect lamb, without spot or blemish, if He was to be pleased with it and accept the sacrifice (Exodus 12:5). This foreshadow was fulfilled in Jesus:
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth . . . yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him (Jesus was the acceptable sacrifice); He (the Father) has put Him (the Son) to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin . . . (Isa 53:7,10)
Thus John the Baptist would say in introducing Him:
"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
By
loren, at 4/10/2005 7:45 PM
It is also important to understand that Jesus was, in fact, tempted in every way that we ourselves can be tempted. Because of this He knows how to help us out:
“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
(Heb 2:17-18)
By
loren, at 4/10/2005 7:45 PM
Hi Loren,
I'm looking forward to the lessons that are coming up. I encourage you when you can to stick in a graphic such as the one of Model of end time religion. That really helps visual learners such as myself.
By
Berry, at 4/13/2005 1:07 AM
Hi Loren,
I love the reference from Micah, showing Jesus to be from of old. What a mighty love He has for us to withstand every temptation, choose to bear our sins, and die a sinner's death for us (mankind) alone!
By
Anonymous, at 7/20/2006 1:08 PM
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