Jesus Christ’s’ presence at a wedding could transform the situation – his meeting a funeral procession could turn tragedy into rejoicing. His words when he spoke about sin and hypocrisy were searing and scorching – yet, when dealing with a sinner no one has ever been so tender and merciful and compassionate!
“Who is this Jesus?” That is the question raised in Matthew Chapter 21and verse 10. He was the King of Kings who could go into the Temple and make a whip – and throw out everything that should never have been going on. He could take a basin of water and towel and wash the feet of His beloved Disciples – doing the job which nobody else would do.
Jesus’ life is full of contrasts. Jesus is always surprising people. Jesus refuses to conform to the religious traditions of the day.
Throughout these past 2,000 years the name of Jesus Christ has not been so much written across all of history – as ploughed into all of history.
The one name humanists and secularists do not like is Jesus Christ of Nazareth – because somehow men are aware that they are touching something of the very power of God – just by mentioning his name.
Is that not why people like to blaspheme and think they are getting off with it – ah yes – but only for a season.
Many mention His name at weddings for blessing – and at funerals for comfort and peace – why? “Who is this Jesus?”
He breaks the chains of evil habits – and sets prisoners free. He chooses the likes of you and me – putting energy and victory and power and grace into weak and at times almost defeated lives.
And yet – there is the mystery of his presence – haven’t we found that over these past weeks and months, and perhaps years, as we have met together for worship? “I am with you always.” That has been so true as we have been faced with challenges – challenge after challenge. The early Church certainly new what challenges were from the very beginning.
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 – our blessings and battles.
His magnetic personality draws us – his shed blood washes away our sin – his power anoints us – his presence strengthens and reassures us.
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 – but that might sound 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 he really a man?
Today men question whether or not he 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 felt 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 the risen and living Jesus continues to come to where we are.
“There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” I Timothy Chapter 2verse 5. It is important to check everything with the authentic authoritative Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
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”.
“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 King who came, and who is coming again – and the Prince of Peace. The Bible gives him over 200 names – make sure you have met him and that you continue to love him and serve him – right to the very end.
In Matthew 24at verse 13 , Jesus spoke these words a few days before going to his sacrificial death on the cross – “He who is faithful to the end shall be saved.”
What a warning word to each of us – to all of us.
“Almighty God – our loving Father – we thank you for every aspect of the life and ministry and teaching of Jesus – may we know that the risen and living Jesus can be with us at all times and in all places – we give thanks for the breadth and depth of our Christian faith – we praise You and worship You – in Jesus’ name.” 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.