Who He Is (Who is this Jesus whose birthday the world celebrates)

American Thinker ^ | 12/25/2010 | Vasko Kohlmayer

[SeekAndFind]

Some two thousand years ago, the man whose birthday we celebrate during this season was walking with his disciples through a region which is today known as the Golan Heights.  As they were making their way through those hilly parts, Jesus turned to his companions and asked, "Who do people say that I am?"

The disciples told him that many ideas circulated as to his identity: "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

Things have not changed much in the intervening two millennia.  Today, as then, people hold many notions about who Jesus was.  Some say that he was a great moral teacher, others that he was a bold social reformer.  Still others claim that he was a wise man or a charismatic leader.  If you asked ten different people, it is quite possible that you would get ten different answers.

To get at the truth, we can do no better than to go to the ultimate source and authority on Jesus's life.  None of the statements below is a conjecture or a fanciful invention; they all come straight from the Word.

What follows is the Jesus of the Bible.

***

He was from the beginning.  He was with God, and He is God.  He is the firstborn over creation, and in Him the fullness of God dwells.

All things were created by Him and for Him.  He laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of His hands.  Without Him, nothing was made that has been made.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  He upholds the universe by the word of His power.  It is through Him that we exist.  He is the mystery of God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ.

In the fullness of time, God sent Him to be the Savior of the world.  He came to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

He was made flesh and dwelt among people.  Full of grace and truth, He was the image of the invisible God and the exact representation of His being.

Born in the likeness of man, He took upon Himself the form of a servant.  He became poor so that we may become rich.

The radiance of God's glory, He walked in love and compassion.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.

Meek and gentle, He was treated harshly, yet He did not protest.  Despised and forsaken, He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.  Though He was tempted as we are, He did not sin.

He came to deliver those who through fear of death were all their lives subject to bondage.  He humbled Himself and became obedient to death -- even the death of the cross.  He assumed human form to mediate between God and men.

He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.  He bore our trespasses in His body and washed our sins with His own blood.

He was made a curse so that we could be made right with God.  He was raised for our justification.  It is by His wounds that we are healed.  It is He who brings us back to God.

Manifested in the flesh, He was justified in the spirit.  Having been buried, He was raised on the third day.  He ascended on high and led captivity captive.

To those who receive Him He gave the right to become children of God.  Whoever calls upon His name shall be saved, and whoever believes in Him has eternal life.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name by which men may be saved.  He is the way, and the truth, and the life.

This is how God showed His love for us: He sent His one and only Son that we might live through him.  For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  He guides the meek and teaches them His ways.  Exalted of God, in Him is the mystery of godliness.

He will judge the living and the dead, and every knee shall bow down before Him.  He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and expose the motives of men's hearts.  He will gather the wheat into his garner and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.

But to those who thirst, He shall give from the spring of the water of life, for He is full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  He who believes in Him shall live.

He is the bright morning star.  Crowned with glory and honor, He holds all authority in heaven and on earth.  It is through Him that God brings everything back to Himself.  It is through Him that God speaks to us.

The first begotten of the dead, He is the heir of all things.  He is the light, and the darkness has not overcome him.  He is the prince of peace and the bread of life.  His love surpasses all knowledge.  He is the life of men.

His throne will last forever, and His days will never end.  Righteousness is the scepter of His kingdom.

He is the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come.  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

He fills everything in every way.  He is the Almighty One.

He who has ears, let him hear.  Let those who are wise understand, for these things have been written that we may believe and, by believing, have life in His name.

[Don Corleone]

Bump ^10

[aSeattleConservative]

Amen

[Oldpuppymax]

Also, as opposed to the frail, pale, wimpy sort generally depicted in paintings and the like throughout the ages, rest assured that Christ was probably around 6’2”, 190 and strong as an ox. I mean, imagine some little dweeb chasing the money lenders from the temple, overturning their tables and throwing their money on the ground. Such an individual would have had the hell beaten out of him! But one look at this big, strong guy and these people gathered up what remained of their wares and slinked off.

[wizr]

Thanks. Amen!!

[SeekAndFind]

He was able to carry His cross to Mount Calvary after horrific torture. That says a lot about his strength.

[pnh102]

Amen.

[pnh102]

... rest assured that Christ was probably around 6’2”, 190 and strong as an ox.

Not to mention the level of physical strength required to be a carpenter who had no power tools available.

[celmak]

Nothing like getting it straight from the scource!

[Nevadan]

thanks for posting

[Crolis]

I definitely agree. Jesus Christ was not a limp-wristed milquetoast. I would say that in addition to his imposing physical stature, he radiated a power which people could not help but notice.

One of the best expressions on film of this I think is in the movie Ben Hur, where Jesus brings water to Judah. The Roman guard attempts to intervene and when Jesus stands and their eyes meet the Roman guard is just taken aback, can't speak and just slinks away and gets back to business. There's a moment there captured on film that speaks volumes. Even Judah's (Charlton Heston) character knows in his heart there is something special/different about Jesus.

You can see the movie clip here.

[13Sisters76]

He came, the first time, as a lamb and was slaughtered for our sins. He will come the second time, not as a lamb, but as a lion of the tribe of Judah, and will destroy the evil that has taken hold on the earth. We must never give up or give in and we must be ready when He comes.

“He which testifieth these things saith, surely I come quickly: Amen, so, come, Lord Jesus.” (KJV, 22:20)

[Mrs. Don-o]

Right you are. Though the Ben-Hur segment is historical fiction, it powerfully conveys what every person saw and could not deny: Jesus' compassion AND HIS MORAL AUTHORITY.

And I especially appreciate the Biblical incident, related by John, where Jesus faces down the mob that wanted to stone the adulterous woman to death. Film Clip Here.

Jesus stoops down and writes on the ground. What is he writing? Maybe a particular, uncannily accurate word identifying the sin of each and every one of those violent, vindictive men?

God only knows.

But they dropped their stones, as the historic account has it, "beginning with the eldest," and slunk away.

[Crolis]

Thanks for mentioning that Ben-Hur is fiction. As I was writing it didn’t occur to me that it could be mistaken, but clarification is always good lest someone get the wrong impression. :)

[aSeattleConservative]

“The thing that separates the American Christian from every other person on earth is the fact that he would rather die on his feet, than live on his knees!” George Washington