The Constant, Controversial, Living Christ

Hebrews 13:8

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Linking this verse back to the initial into to John, we see that Jesus always has been. In the beginning was the Word. This is what I mean by Jesus was not “born” in Bethlehem. He has been in existence forever. Since the beginning there was the Word, and the word is unchanging just as Paul says, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Deuteronomy chapter 31 tells us: 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.". This is exactly why Christians can trust in Christ. He always has existed, he always will exist, and he will always be with you, and never forsake you. There is nothing in life, not your best friend, not your best dog; nothing in your life is a constant as the Lord.

Not only is He constant, Jesus is part of the family. Reading the first and second verses of John 1 1-2 we see: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. Jesus knows what family is, because he has been part of one since the beginning. He was there when the world was created Genesis 1:26 tells us that: 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." The key here is God said “let US make man in OUR own image” HE was not some ides that was baked up as a way to bring salvation to man. Jesus was with God in the beginning, as a family. The plan for salvation was in place before THEY spoke of any creation.

When Christ became man he was without a doubt the controversial word, and many today still grapple with Christ becoming Man. The rulers, and the lawmakers of the day did not know what to do with Him. He was a nuisance when he preached repentance, when he preformed miracles, and healed people, they were scared, yet when he claimed to not only be equal to God but to be God, they killed him! I often wonder how that would play out today. Sure, it is easy to say that if Jesus were to come back all would recognize him. I am certain that would be far from the case. Just like then, many would miss every indication that is given. Now just like then many are waiting, but if he was to show up as he did before, as a simple man, more would want to not believe than believe. This is a result of people having a hard time getting their head around the incarnation of Christ. They have a hard time with Jesus being the living Word.


Here is the explanation John gives: 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us……….There is no why, or better yet, there is no how!! There are verses in the Bible that scream loudly by saying nothing. This is one of those times. No one knows the answer, but God. How could God become man? There is nothing that God is incapable of. He created this world, and He created us, it would not be a stretch for him to put on the flesh of a human and live among us; and live He did! Scripture tells us that He dwelled among us. He did not live, He did not roam, He did not pass through….He dwelled here. He was born here He lived among us, He made His home here, He had friends here, He was persecuted, suffered and dies here. He became flesh, and dwelled among us, yet so many refused to recognize Him.

From the day Christ was born to the Virgin Mary, in the humbleness of a manger, God was on the set of this life. He became an actor on the stage of life. He was walking, talking, breathing, and speaking proof that God was real, and he was here to save all that would follow him.


Peace,
Rev. Thetford