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by Sandy Shaw
“Who is this Jesus?” He is the Messiah – the Son of God – the Saviour – the Lord of Lords – the King of the Jews. This is the question raised by the people in Jerusalem as Jesus rides into Jerusalem. We read the context in Matthew Chapter 21 and at verse 10. Do read the passage – I have often found that God has a special blessing for those who take time to read the Scriptures.
Lovingly and humbly Jesus comes with one main purpose – to forgive sin and sins.
He breaks the chains of evil habits. He sets prisoners free. He chooses the likes of you and me, putting energy and victory and grace into weak and at times almost defeated lives.
And – there is the mystery of His presence – haven’t we found that at times of worship or when reading the Scriptures, or when we pray?
“I am with you always.” That has been so true as we have been faced with challenges – challenge after challenge.
“I am with you always.” No other leader has ever dared to say that – none has come near it.
The needy human heart which Jesus Christ addressed two thousand years ago is just as needy today – and that is why he is so relevant.
He is there with us in our joys and sorrows – our successes and disappointments – our hopes and temptations – our triumphs and defeats.
His magnetic personality draws us – his shed blood washes away our sin – his presence strengthens and reassures us – he anoints us with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Who is this Jesus - this mighty influential One?
Whatever answer we try to give – words are insufficient. The theologians say He is fully God and fully man – and they are right. But that is so very clinical and almost abstract – yet, it isn’t – and we must never let that go – because it is crucial for salvation.
One of the first problems the Church had to face was this question regarding the humanity of Jesus. Was Jesus really a man?
Today men question whether or not Jesus was God – but around the years 85 to 90 the one major question was whether or not he was man – and that is why John wrote his letters.
Jesus knew as we do what weariness was. He sobbed His heart out at times, as we occasionally do.
Jesus felts that need for friends in the Garden of Gethsemane – just as we do.
His humanity shines forth so clearly.
Jesus had to fight temptation just as we do.
The Roman Governor – when he saw Jesus Christ uttered – “Behold the man!”
If we do not see Jesus Christ as fully man – then some could say – “O your God did not come down the whole way at all – he only came part of the way” – but that would be a lie.
God came down – God stooped to where we were – to lift from us the burden of sin – and meet our needs physically and spiritually – and he continues to come to where we are.
“There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” I Timothy Chapter 2 verse 5.
Remember that day a week after Jesus Christ was raised from the dead when Thomas fell in worship before the risen Christ and said, “My Lord and my God”. John Chapter 20.
“Who is this?” He is man and He is God. When he touched the leper and walked on the water – and fed the hungry and rode into Jerusalem.
We are looking at God – and when he intercedes and prays for us at the Father’s right hand there is a MAN sitting on that throne – the MAN, Christ Jesus.
“Who is this Jesus?”
He is the Saviour – the Lord – the Prince of peace. The Bible gives Him over 200 names – what do you call him?
Make sure you have met Him and that you continue to love Him and serve Him – right to the very end.
“Lord our God – You have given us so much – we thank you for Jesus and all that he is to us – the one who loves and forgives and heals and rescues and guides. We say thank You for every blessing you give us – help us and enable us to serve faithfully right to the very end. Amen”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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