6/25 Understand the three-part nature of our Bridegroom
In one of our past posts, we referred to the Lord Jesus as the coming Bridegroom. He comes for a pure and spotless bride. Will we be ready?
One very important lesson we – as the church – need to learn is the true nature of the Lord Jesus. Here is one way to see Him as three parts to His ‘role’ or His purpose in our life.
Just like His name, we can know Jesus as the Christ, as the Lord of all and then as Jesus, that One who walks and talks with us.
Observable Christian growth doesn’t just happen. We need to make some behavioural changes as well, to match the inner changes.
Just like there are three parts to Jesus’ honourable name, so there are three stages of growth and maturity in the Christian journey. We can know the Lord Jesus Christ at least three ways:
1. Jesus is ‘the Christ’
Jesus is the ‘anointed one’, the Messiah who gave His life to turn us back to God. Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies while He was on this earth. When we accept Jesus as the Christ, Father God adopts us into the Family of God. We call this the ‘born-again’ experience
2. Jesus is the ‘Lord of Lords’
Father God has elevated Jesus to the highest level possible. One day every knee shall bow before Him. …and everyone, – EVERYONE – will see Him for the Kings of Kings that He is. Father God has given Him the authority and power to guide us into a better life.
“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5 NIV)
a. Lord is a title for authority: Genesis 23:15, 44:16, 18, 1 Samuel 1:15, 2 Samuel 24:3, Judges 4:18. The term ‘lord’ recognises a position of status, of prestige and power. Being a ‘lord’ in the times of the Romans meant absolute authority, even life and death. This is the meaning behind the Lord of Lord’s!
b. Jesus is Lord and some day He will return that way – the conquering King of Kings, Revelations 17:14, 19:13-16, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 8:6, Ephesians 4:5. He is the returning Christ, Judge and future King. One day, everyone will know and recognise Him for who He is, Romans 10:9, Philippians 2:8-11.
c. Right now, He is ‘allowing us to allow Him to be Lord’. Whether to recognise Him as Lord in our lives, HE IS LORD, with or without our permission, Matthew 7:21-22, Luke 6:48.
Other verses to help us understand Lordship are: John 14:15, Romans 1:5, 13:1-5, 1 Corinthians 9:21, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 5:9, 13:15, 1 Peter 2:13-14, James 4:7, 1 John 5:3.
3. Then, Jesus as ‘the Person’
Jesus is the Friend that is closer than a brother. He is a real human being, living in an un-corruptible, but physical body in the heavenly realm. He is the first of many such beings and is called the ‘forerunner’ of the New Creation, Hebrews 6:20 (KJV).
Sad to say, most people only know Him in only one aspect of His role. They may see Him as the Messiah without ever thinking about His Lordship over their lives. Some walk with Him as that Friend but haven’t bowed to His role of being the supreme Decider and Lord in their life.
However, it is most rewarding and victorious way to live is when we know Him in all three ways. He is our ‘Friend’, the Restorer back to the God as Christ and as the One who we yield to as we walk the paths of life.
For some people, taking the step to become a Christian begins a great journey. Salvation actually happens because God came looking for us rather than we sought Him out.
The journey begins with repentance, a jolting realisation that God is real, that His kingdom is in total opposition to our Self-centred little world. The extent to which we allow this gift of God to penetrate our independent hearts is the depth we have in God.
May you come to know Him more and more in all three ways in your christian walk!
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations.jesus-treeoflife.info
Tags: 3 Parts to His Purpose
Filed under: Challenges to the Christian Faith
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