Who-Is-Jesus-Sproul.txt਀
Chapter One - The Christ of the Bible਀䌀栀愀瀀琀攀爀 吀眀漀 ⴀ 伀渀攀 倀攀爀猀漀渀Ⰰ 吀眀漀 一愀琀甀爀攀猀
Chapter Three - The Names of Christ਀䌀栀愀瀀琀攀爀 䘀漀甀爀 ⴀ 吀栀攀 匀琀愀琀攀猀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀
Chapter Five - The Offices of Christ਀
About the Author਀䘀爀攀攀 攀䈀漀漀欀猀 戀礀 刀⸀䌀⸀ 匀瀀爀漀甀氀
਀䌀栀愀瀀琀攀爀 伀渀攀
The Christ of the Bible਀
There are vast numbers of portraits of Jesus in the art galleries of this world. These images are਀漀昀琀攀渀 挀漀渀昀氀椀挀琀椀渀最 愀渀搀 漀昀昀攀爀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀 椀洀瀀爀攀猀猀椀漀渀猀 漀昀 眀栀愀琀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 洀椀最栀琀 栀愀瘀攀 氀漀漀欀攀搀 氀椀欀攀 搀甀爀椀渀最
His incarnation. There were no cameras back then, of course, and we have no images of Him਀昀爀漀洀 䠀椀猀 琀椀洀攀Ⰰ 猀漀 愀渀礀 椀搀攀愀 愀戀漀甀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†瀀栀礀猀椀挀愀氀 昀漀爀洀 椀猀 瀀甀爀攀 挀漀渀樀攀挀琀甀爀攀⸀
This multiplicity of images of Christ in art galleries parallels the widespread confusion about਀䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ† 椀搀攀渀琀椀琀礀  琀栀愀琀  攀砀椀猀琀猀  椀渀  琀栀攀  眀漀爀氀搀  琀漀搀愀礀⸀  吀栀攀  洀愀渀礀  琀栀攀漀爀椀攀猀  愀戀漀甀琀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀ᤀ猠  椀搀攀渀琀椀琀礀  椀渀
circulation are attempts to answer a question that Jesus Himself once asked His disciples: “Who਀搀漀  礀漀甀  猀愀礀  琀栀愀琀  䤀  愀洀㼀ᴀ† 吀栀椀猀  焀甀攀猀琀椀漀渀  椀猀  猀漀  椀洀瀀漀爀琀愀渀琀  琀栀愀琀  漀渀攀ᤀ猠  攀琀攀爀渀愀氀  昀愀琀攀  栀椀渀最攀猀  甀瀀漀渀  琀栀攀
answer one gives.਀唀渀昀漀爀琀甀渀愀琀攀氀礀Ⰰ  洀漀猀琀  椀搀攀愀猀  愀戀漀甀琀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀ᤀ猠  椀搀攀渀琀椀琀礀  琀漀搀愀礀  愀爀攀  戀漀爀渀  漀昀  攀洀瀀琀礀  猀瀀攀挀甀氀愀琀椀漀渀  漀爀
created to squeeze into a philosopher’s pattern rather than drawn from Scripture. The “Christs”਀琀栀愀琀  愀爀攀  戀漀爀渀  琀栀椀猀  眀愀礀  猀椀洀瀀氀礀  眀漀渀ᤀ琠  搀漀⸀  䄀  爀攀挀礀挀氀攀搀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀Ⰰ  愀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀  漀昀  挀漀洀瀀爀漀洀椀猀攀Ⰰ  漀爀  愀渀
imaginary Christ can redeem no one. A Christ who is watered down, stripped of power, debased਀漀昀 最氀漀爀礀Ⰰ 爀攀搀甀挀攀搀 琀漀 愀 猀礀洀戀漀氀Ⰰ 漀爀 洀愀搀攀 椀洀瀀漀琀攀渀琀 戀礀 猀挀栀漀氀愀爀氀礀 猀甀爀最攀爀礀 椀猀 渀漀琀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 戀甀琀 愀渀琀椀挀栀爀椀猀琀
—because to supplant the real Jesus with a substitute is to work against Christ. To change or਀搀椀猀琀漀爀琀  琀栀攀  爀攀愀氀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀  椀猀  琀漀  漀瀀瀀漀猀攀  䠀椀洀  眀椀琀栀  愀  昀愀氀猀攀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀⸀  吀漀  戀攀  爀攀搀攀攀洀攀搀Ⰰ  愀渀搀  琀漀  栀愀瘀攀
assurance of our salvation, we must rid ourselves of these imitations. We need Christ—the real਀䌀栀爀椀猀琀⸀
਀吀栀攀 䐀攀瀀琀栀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀
It is significant that our faith is called “Christianity,” for our attention is rightly focused on the਀伀渀攀 眀栀漀 栀愀猀 爀攀搀攀攀洀攀搀 甀猀⸀ 䄀渀搀 琀栀攀 瀀氀愀挀攀 眀攀 洀甀猀琀 最漀 琀漀 氀攀愀爀渀 愀戀漀甀琀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀 䠀椀猀 栀漀氀礀 圀漀爀搀Ⰰ 昀漀爀
it alone speaks utterly truthfully about our Savior. But, because the portrait of Jesus in Scripture਀椀猀 猀漀 搀攀攀瀀Ⰰ 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 椀琀 搀攀昀椀攀猀 栀甀洀愀渀 愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 琀漀 最爀愀猀瀀 椀琀 攀砀栀愀甀猀琀椀瘀攀氀礀Ⰰ 愀渀礀 猀琀甀搀礀 漀昀 琀栀攀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 漀昀
Christ can only scratch the surface. Consider the Apostle John’s portrait of Christ in the book of Revelation. John sets the stage for Christ’s appearance by presenting a conundrum:਀吀栀攀渀 䤀 猀愀眀 椀渀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀 漀昀 栀椀洀 眀栀漀 眀愀猀 猀攀愀琀攀搀 漀渀 琀栀攀 琀栀爀漀渀攀 愀 猀挀爀漀氀氀 眀爀椀琀琀攀渀 眀椀琀栀椀渀
and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a਀氀漀甀搀  瘀漀椀挀攀Ⰰ  ᰀ圠栀漀  椀猀  眀漀爀琀栀礀  琀漀  漀瀀攀渀  琀栀攀  猀挀爀漀氀氀  愀渀搀  戀爀攀愀欀  椀琀猀  猀攀愀氀猀㼀ᴀ† 䄀渀搀  渀漀  漀渀攀  椀渀
heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. (Rev. 5:1–3)਀
In John’s vision of heaven, he is filled with anticipation as he waits to see who will step up,਀眀栀漀 眀椀氀氀 戀攀 搀攀挀氀愀爀攀搀 眀漀爀琀栀礀 琀漀 漀瀀攀渀 琀栀攀 猀挀爀漀氀氀⸀ 䠀攀 挀漀渀琀椀渀甀攀猀㨀
I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look਀椀渀琀漀 椀琀⸀ 䄀渀搀 漀渀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 攀氀搀攀爀猀 猀愀椀搀 琀漀 洀攀Ⰰ ᰀ圠攀攀瀀 渀漀 洀漀爀攀㬀 戀攀栀漀氀搀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䰀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 琀爀椀戀攀 漀昀
Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”਀䄀渀搀  戀攀琀眀攀攀渀  琀栀攀  琀栀爀漀渀攀  愀渀搀  琀栀攀  昀漀甀爀  氀椀瘀椀渀最  挀爀攀愀琀甀爀攀猀  愀渀搀  愀洀漀渀最  琀栀攀  攀氀搀攀爀猀  䤀  猀愀眀  愀
Lamb  standing,  as  though  it  had  been  slain,  with  seven  horns  and  with  seven  eyes,਀眀栀椀挀栀 愀爀攀 琀栀攀 猀攀瘀攀渀 猀瀀椀爀椀琀猀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 猀攀渀琀 漀甀琀 椀渀琀漀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 攀愀爀琀栀⸀ 䄀渀搀 栀攀 眀攀渀琀 愀渀搀 琀漀漀欀 琀栀攀
scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. (vv. 4–7)਀吀栀攀渀  琀栀攀  昀漀甀爀  氀椀瘀椀渀最  挀爀攀愀琀甀爀攀猀  愀渀搀  琀栀攀  琀眀攀渀琀礀ⴀ昀漀甀爀  攀氀搀攀爀猀  瀀爀漀猀琀爀愀琀攀  琀栀攀洀猀攀氀瘀攀猀  戀攀昀漀爀攀  琀栀攀
Lamb and worship Him, and John hears the praise of the angels:਀圀漀爀琀栀礀 椀猀 琀栀攀 䰀愀洀戀 眀栀漀 眀愀猀 猀氀愀椀渀Ⰰ 琀漀 爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀 瀀漀眀攀爀 愀渀搀 眀攀愀氀琀栀 愀渀搀 眀椀猀搀漀洀 愀渀搀 洀椀最栀琀
and honor and glory and blessing! (v. 12)਀圀攀 挀愀渀 猀攀攀 栀漀眀 䨀漀栀渀ᤀ猠 洀漀漀搀 挀栀愀渀最攀猀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 琀栀椀猀 猀攀焀甀攀渀挀攀 漀昀 攀瘀攀渀琀猀㨀 栀攀 眀愀猀 攀砀挀椀琀攀搀 琀栀愀琀
someone  was  going  to  come  and  open  the  scroll,  but  then  he  was  plunged  into  depression਀戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 渀漀 漀渀攀 眀愀猀 昀漀甀渀搀 眀漀爀琀栀礀⸀ 圀栀攀渀 琀栀攀 愀渀最攀氀 琀漀氀搀 䨀漀栀渀 渀漀琀 琀漀 眀攀攀瀀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 漀渀攀 栀愀搀 戀攀攀渀
found worthy—the Lion of Judah—he expected a powerful beast to come roaring in to rip open਀琀栀攀 猀挀爀漀氀氀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 椀渀猀琀攀愀搀 栀攀 猀愀眀 愀 猀氀愀椀渀 䰀愀洀戀⸀ 吀栀椀猀 椀洀愀最攀爀礀 椀猀 愀 瘀椀瘀椀搀 攀砀愀洀瀀氀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀昀漀甀渀搀
contrast  between  Christ’s  humiliation  and  His  exaltation,  between  His  sufferings  and  His਀琀爀椀甀洀瀀栀猀⸀ 䤀琀 愀氀猀漀 最椀瘀攀猀 愀 栀椀渀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 挀漀洀瀀氀攀砀椀琀礀 漀昀 䠀椀猀 挀栀愀爀愀挀琀攀爀 愀渀搀 眀漀爀琀栀⸀
Jesus in the Gospels਀䤀昀 眀攀 愀爀攀 琀漀 氀漀漀欀 琀漀 匀挀爀椀瀀琀甀爀攀 琀漀 琀攀氀氀 甀猀 愀戀漀甀琀 眀栀漀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀Ⰰ 眀攀 愀爀攀 椀洀洀攀搀椀愀琀攀氀礀 挀漀渀昀爀漀渀琀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 愀
question:  Why  did  God  see  fit  to  provide  the  world  with  four  Gospels?  Why  not  just  one਀搀攀昀椀渀椀琀椀瘀攀 戀椀漀最爀愀瀀栀礀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀㼀
It pleased God for His own reasons to give us four biographical portraits of Jesus, all looking਀愀琀 䠀椀猀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 愀渀搀 眀漀爀欀 昀爀漀洀 猀氀椀最栀琀氀礀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀 瀀攀爀猀瀀攀挀琀椀瘀攀猀⸀ 䤀渀 䴀愀琀琀栀攀眀ᤀ猠 最漀猀瀀攀氀Ⰰ 眀攀 愀爀攀 最椀瘀攀渀 愀䨀攀眀椀猀栀  瀀攀爀猀瀀攀挀琀椀瘀攀㬀  琀栀攀  攀洀瀀栀愀猀椀猀  椀猀  漀渀  䨀攀猀甀猀  愀猀  琀栀攀  昀甀氀昀椀氀氀洀攀渀琀  漀昀  渀甀洀攀爀漀甀猀  伀氀搀  吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀
prophecies, showing clearly that Jesus is the Messiah who had been promised in centuries past.਀䴀愀爀欀ᤀ猠 最漀猀瀀攀氀 椀猀 戀爀椀攀昀 愀渀搀 愀氀洀漀猀琀 愀戀爀甀瀀琀㬀 椀琀 瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀猀 琀栀攀 氀椀昀攀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀 愀猀 愀 戀氀愀稀攀 漀昀 洀椀爀愀挀氀攀猀 愀挀爀漀猀猀
the landscape of Palestine. Then there is the portrait provided by Luke the physician, who was਀瀀愀爀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䜀攀渀琀椀氀攀 挀漀洀洀甀渀椀琀礀 愀渀搀 愀 挀漀洀瀀愀渀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䄀瀀漀猀琀氀攀 倀愀甀氀 漀渀 栀椀猀 洀椀猀猀椀漀渀愀爀礀 樀漀甀爀渀攀礀猀
to the Gentile nations. Luke shows that Jesus did not come solely to save Jewish people, but also਀洀攀渀 愀渀搀 眀漀洀攀渀 昀爀漀洀 攀瘀攀爀礀 琀爀椀戀攀Ⰰ 琀漀渀最甀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 渀愀琀椀漀渀⸀ 䰀甀欀攀 愀氀猀漀 瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀猀 洀愀渀礀 椀渀猀椀最栀琀猀 椀渀琀漀 琀栀攀
teaching of Jesus through parables. Finally, John provides a highly theological portrait of Christ,਀搀攀洀漀渀猀琀爀愀琀椀渀最 琀栀愀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀 椀猀 琀栀攀 椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀爀甀琀栀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 氀椀最栀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 伀渀攀 椀渀 眀栀漀洀
there is abundant life. Almost half of John’s gospel is devoted to the Passion Week of Jesus’ life,਀攀渀挀漀洀瀀愀猀猀椀渀最  䠀椀猀  琀爀椀甀洀瀀栀愀氀  攀渀琀爀礀  椀渀琀漀  䨀攀爀甀猀愀氀攀洀Ⰰ  䠀椀猀  昀椀渀愀氀  琀攀愀挀栀椀渀最猀Ⰰ  愀渀搀  䠀椀猀  戀攀琀爀愀礀愀氀Ⰰ
crucifixion, death, and resurrection.਀吀栀攀 最漀猀瀀攀氀 渀愀爀爀愀琀椀瘀攀猀 搀漀 洀漀爀攀 琀栀愀渀 琀攀氀氀 愀戀漀甀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ 䠀椀猀 氀椀昀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 䠀椀猀 眀漀爀欀㬀 琀栀攀礀 愀氀猀漀 琀攀氀氀 甀猀
how people responded to Christ. We see the response of the shepherds, who came from the fields਀漀甀琀猀椀搀攀 漀昀 䈀攀琀栀氀攀栀攀洀 愀琀 琀栀攀 愀渀渀漀甀渀挀攀洀攀渀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 渀攀眀戀漀爀渀 戀愀戀礀 䨀攀猀甀猀 ⠀䰀甀欀攀 ㈀㨀㠀ጀ㈠　⤀⸀ 圀攀 猀攀攀 琀栀攀
response  of  the  aged  Simeon,  who  came  into  the  temple  when  Jesus  was  presented  for  His਀搀攀搀椀挀愀琀椀漀渀⸀  伀渀  琀栀愀琀  漀挀挀愀猀椀漀渀Ⰰ  匀椀洀攀漀渀  猀愀椀搀Ⰰ  ᰀ䰠漀爀搀Ⰰ  渀漀眀  礀漀甀  愀爀攀  氀攀琀琀椀渀最  礀漀甀爀  猀攀爀瘀愀渀琀  搀攀瀀愀爀琀  椀渀
peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in਀琀栀攀 瀀爀攀猀攀渀挀攀 漀昀 愀氀氀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀猀ᴀ†⠀瘀瘀⸀ ㈀㤀ጀ㌠㄀⤀⸀ 圀攀 猀攀攀 䨀攀猀甀猀 挀漀渀昀漀甀渀搀 琀栀攀 猀挀栀漀氀愀爀猀 椀渀 琀栀攀 琀攀洀瀀氀攀 愀猀 愀
young boy (vv. 41–52). We are introduced to His public ministry by John the Baptist, who saw਀䠀椀洀 挀漀洀椀渀最 琀漀 琀栀攀 䨀漀爀搀愀渀 刀椀瘀攀爀 愀渀搀 猀愀渀最 琀栀攀 䄀最渀甀猀 䐀攀椀㨀 ᰀ䈠攀栀漀氀搀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䰀愀洀戀 漀昀 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 眀栀漀 琀愀欀攀猀
away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). We see Jesus through the eyes of Nicodemus, who came਀愀琀 渀椀最栀琀 琀漀 椀渀焀甀椀爀攀 漀昀 䠀椀洀Ⰰ 猀愀礀椀渀最Ⰰ ᰀ删愀戀戀椀Ⰰ 眀攀 欀渀漀眀 琀栀愀琀 礀漀甀 愀爀攀 愀 琀攀愀挀栀攀爀 挀漀洀攀 昀爀漀洀 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 昀漀爀
no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). We see Jesus the rabbi,਀眀栀漀 渀漀琀 漀渀氀礀 愀洀愀稀攀搀 琀栀攀 漀琀栀攀爀 爀愀戀戀椀猀 眀栀攀渀 䠀攀 眀愀猀 愀 挀栀椀氀搀 戀甀琀 愀氀猀漀 眀攀渀琀 漀渀 椀渀 愀搀甀氀琀栀漀漀搀 琀漀
surpass in wisdom and insight the greatest teachers of His day. We see Jesus talk to an outcast਀眀漀洀愀渀 戀礀 琀栀攀 愀渀挀椀攀渀琀 眀攀氀氀 漀昀 䨀愀挀漀戀 愀琀 匀礀挀栀愀爀 椀渀 匀愀洀愀爀椀愀Ⰰ 眀栀椀挀栀 氀攀搀 栀攀爀 琀漀 猀愀礀Ⰰ ᰀ匠椀爀Ⰰ 䤀 瀀攀爀挀攀椀瘀攀
that you are a prophet” (John 4:19). As the conversation progresses, Jesus exposes the woman to਀栀攀爀猀攀氀昀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀栀攀 爀攀愀氀椀稀攀猀 琀栀愀琀 猀栀攀 椀猀 猀瀀攀愀欀椀渀最 琀漀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀洀椀猀攀搀 愀渀搀 氀漀渀最ⴀ愀眀愀椀琀攀搀 䴀攀猀猀椀愀栀⸀ 圀攀 猀攀攀
Him  at  the  praetorium  of  Pilate,  where  Pilate  announces,  “I  find  no  guilt  in  this  man”  (Luke਀㈀㌀㨀㐀⤀⸀ 䰀愀琀攀爀Ⰰ 眀攀 栀攀愀爀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀搀猀 琀栀愀琀 栀愀瘀攀 戀攀攀渀 椀洀洀漀爀琀愀氀椀稀攀搀 椀渀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀椀愀渀 栀椀猀琀漀爀礀 琀栀愀琀 倀椀氀愀琀攀 猀瀀漀欀攀
to the crowd: “Behold the man!” (John 19:5). We see a portrait of Jesus from the centurion at the਀挀爀漀猀猀Ⰰ  眀栀漀Ⰰ  愀昀琀攀爀  栀攀  眀椀琀渀攀猀猀攀搀  琀栀攀  挀爀甀挀椀昀椀砀椀漀渀Ⰰ  猀愀椀搀Ⰰ  ᰀ吠爀甀氀礀  琀栀椀猀  眀愀猀  琀栀攀  匀漀渀  漀昀  䜀漀搀℀ᴀ† ⠀䴀愀琀琀⸀
27:54). We see it in doubting Thomas, who, when he saw the risen Christ, cried out, “My Lord਀愀渀搀 洀礀 䜀漀搀℀ᴀ†⠀䨀漀栀渀 ㈀　㨀㈀㠀⤀⸀
In short, we find the portrait of someone without parallel in human history. The Jesus we see਀椀渀  琀栀攀  䜀漀猀瀀攀氀猀  椀猀  愀渀  愀戀猀漀氀甀琀攀氀礀  瀀甀爀攀  洀愀渀Ⰰ  愀  洀愀渀  眀椀琀栀漀甀琀  猀椀渀  眀栀漀  挀漀甀氀搀  猀愀礀  琀漀  䠀椀猀  愀挀挀甀猀攀爀猀Ⰰ
“Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46). This portrait of Jesus is staggering.਀匀挀爀椀瀀琀甀爀攀 愀氀猀漀 最椀瘀攀猀 甀猀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†漀眀渀 琀攀猀琀椀洀漀渀礀 漀昀 䠀椀猀 椀搀攀渀琀椀琀礀㨀 ᰀ䘠漀爀 䤀 栀愀瘀攀 渀漀琀 猀瀀漀欀攀渀 漀渀 洀礀
own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say਀愀渀搀 眀栀愀琀 琀漀 猀瀀攀愀欀ᴀ†⠀䨀漀栀渀 ㄀㈀㨀㐀㤀⤀⸀ 䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ 椀渀 䠀椀猀 搀攀猀椀爀攀 琀漀 挀漀渀挀攀愀氀 䠀椀猀 琀爀甀攀 椀搀攀渀琀椀琀礀 昀漀爀 愀 猀攀愀猀漀渀
because of misconceptions about who the Messiah would be, nevertheless made some bold and਀攀砀琀爀愀瘀愀最愀渀琀 挀氀愀椀洀猀Ⰰ 猀甀挀栀 愀猀 琀栀攀 ᰀ䤠 愀洀ᴀ†搀攀挀氀愀爀愀琀椀漀渀猀 椀渀 䨀漀栀渀ᤀ猠 最漀猀瀀攀氀㨀 ᰀ䤠 愀洀 琀栀攀 戀爀攀愀搀 漀昀 氀椀昀攀⸀
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down਀昀爀漀洀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀Ⰰ 猀漀 琀栀愀琀 漀渀攀 洀愀礀 攀愀琀 漀昀 椀琀 愀渀搀 渀漀琀 搀椀攀ᴀ†⠀㘀㨀㐀㠀ጀ㔠　⤀⸀ 匀漀洀攀 眀攀爀攀 猀漀 攀渀爀愀最攀搀 戀礀 琀栀漀猀攀
words that they walked with Him no more.“I am the vine; you are the branches,” He said. “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is਀琀栀愀琀 戀攀愀爀猀 洀甀挀栀 昀爀甀椀琀Ⰰ 昀漀爀 愀瀀愀爀琀 昀爀漀洀 洀攀 礀漀甀 挀愀渀 搀漀 渀漀琀栀椀渀最ᴀ†⠀㄀㔀㨀㔀⤀⸀ 䠀攀 愀氀猀漀 猀愀椀搀Ⰰ ᰀ䤠 愀洀 琀栀攀
door” (10:9), that is, the way to salvation. Contrasting Himself with the false prophets of the day,਀眀栀漀 眀攀爀攀 瀀漀漀爀 猀栀攀瀀栀攀爀搀猀 洀漀爀攀 挀漀渀挀攀爀渀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀椀爀 瀀愀礀挀栀攀挀欀猀 琀栀愀渀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 挀愀爀攀 愀渀搀 渀甀爀琀甀爀攀 漀昀
the sheep, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (v. 14).਀䠀攀 愀氀猀漀 猀愀椀搀Ⰰ ᰀ䤠 愀洀 琀栀攀 眀愀礀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 琀爀甀琀栀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 氀椀昀攀ᴀ†⠀㄀㐀㨀㘀⤀⸀
Perhaps most dramatic was this comment: “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see਀洀礀 搀愀礀⸀ 䠀攀 猀愀眀 椀琀 愀渀搀 眀愀猀 最氀愀搀☀⸠ 吀爀甀氀礀Ⰰ 琀爀甀氀礀Ⰰ 䤀 猀愀礀 琀漀 礀漀甀Ⰰ 戀攀昀漀爀攀 䄀戀爀愀栀愀洀 眀愀猀Ⰰ 䤀 愀洀ᴀ†⠀䨀漀栀渀
8:56, 58). He did not say, “Before Abraham was, I was.” He said, “I am.” This and other “I am”਀猀琀愀琀攀洀攀渀琀猀 昀爀漀洀 䨀漀栀渀ᤀ猠 最漀猀瀀攀氀 挀漀洀攀 昀爀漀洀 琀眀漀 䜀爀攀攀欀 眀漀爀搀猀㨀 攀最䴀 ⠀䤀⤀ 愀渀搀 攀椀洀椀 ⠀䤀 愀洀⤀⸀ 䤀渀 䜀爀攀攀欀Ⰰ
eimi is sufficient to say, “I am,” yet Jesus did not merely say, “Eimi the way, the truth, and the਀氀椀昀攀Ⰰᴀ† 漀爀  ᰀ䔠椀洀椀  琀栀攀  搀漀漀爀⸀ᴀ† 䤀渀猀琀攀愀搀Ⰰ  䠀攀  甀猀攀搀  戀漀琀栀  眀漀爀搀猀᐀ᰠ䔠最䴀  攀椀洀椀ᴀᐠ眠栀椀挀栀  洀愀搀攀  䠀椀猀  瀀漀椀渀琀
emphatically: “I am.” The significance of this was not missed by the first-century community:਀䜀爀攀攀欀ⴀ猀瀀攀愀欀椀渀最 䨀攀眀猀 眀爀漀琀攀 琀栀攀 猀愀挀爀攀搀 渀愀洀攀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 愀猀 ᰀ夠愀栀眀攀栀Ⰰᴀ†眀栀椀挀栀 椀猀 琀爀愀渀猀氀愀琀攀搀Ⰰ ᰀ䤠 愀洀
who  I  am”—so  when  Jesus  used  this  emphatic  construction  about  Himself,  He  was  clearly਀椀搀攀渀琀椀昀礀椀渀最 䠀椀洀猀攀氀昀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 猀愀挀爀攀搀 渀愀洀攀 漀昀 䜀漀搀⸀
Similarly, He claimed nothing less than the authority of God when He used the title Son of਀䴀愀渀Ⰰ 爀攀昀攀爀爀椀渀最 琀漀 琀栀攀 伀渀攀 眀栀漀 挀漀洀攀猀 椀渀琀漀 琀栀攀 瀀爀攀猀攀渀挀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䄀渀挀椀攀渀琀 漀昀 䐀愀礀猀Ⰰ 挀漀洀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀
clouds of heaven (Dan. 7:13). Using that phraseology, Jesus said, “The Son of Man is lord even਀漀昀 琀栀攀 匀愀戀戀愀琀栀ᴀ†⠀䴀愀爀欀 ㈀㨀㈀㠀⤀⸀ 䜀漀搀 椀渀猀琀椀琀甀琀攀搀 愀渀搀 爀攀最甀氀愀琀攀猀 琀栀攀 匀愀戀戀愀琀栀Ⰰ 猀漀 昀漀爀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 琀漀 猀愀礀 䠀攀 椀猀
lord of the Sabbath was to identify Himself with deity. On another occasion, He healed a man so਀琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 爀攀氀椀最椀漀甀猀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀椀攀猀 ᰀ洠愀礀 欀渀漀眀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 匀漀渀 漀昀 䴀愀渀 栀愀猀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀 漀渀 攀愀爀琀栀 琀漀 昀漀爀最椀瘀攀
sins”  (Matt.  9:6;  Mark  2:10;  Luke  5:24).  The  enemies  of  Jesus  were  outraged  that  Jesus  was਀ᰀ洠愀欀椀渀最 栀椀洀猀攀氀昀 攀焀甀愀氀 眀椀琀栀 䜀漀搀ᴀ†⠀䨀漀栀渀 㔀㨀㄀㠀⤀⸀
The Apostolic Testimony about Jesus਀䈀攀礀漀渀搀  眀栀愀琀  眀攀  昀椀渀搀  椀渀  琀栀攀  䜀漀猀瀀攀氀  瀀漀爀琀爀愀椀琀猀Ⰰ  匀挀爀椀瀀琀甀爀攀  愀氀猀漀  最椀瘀攀猀  甀猀  琀栀攀  琀攀猀琀椀洀漀渀礀  漀昀  琀栀攀
Apostles. The Apostle Paul unveiled for us the ministry of Christ as Savior. He explained the਀愀琀漀渀攀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ 栀漀眀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 愀猀 漀甀爀 䴀攀搀椀愀琀漀爀 愀挀挀漀洀瀀氀椀猀栀攀搀 爀攀搀攀洀瀀琀椀漀渀 昀漀爀 甀猀⸀ 吀栀攀 瀀漀爀琀爀愀椀琀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀
filled out also in the letters of Peter and John and in the epistle to the Hebrews, where Christ is਀猀栀漀眀渀 琀漀 戀攀 ᰀ琠栀攀 爀愀搀椀愀渀挀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 最氀漀爀礀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 攀砀愀挀琀 椀洀瀀爀椀渀琀 漀昀 栀椀猀 渀愀琀甀爀攀ᴀ†⠀䠀攀戀⸀ ㄀㨀㌀⤀Ⰰ 愀猀
well  as  superior  to  angels,  to  Moses,  and  to  the  Aaronic  priests  of  the  Old  Testament.  From਀䴀愀琀琀栀攀眀 琀漀 刀攀瘀攀氀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 挀攀渀琀爀愀氀 洀漀琀椀昀 漀昀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 椀猀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀⸀
Some  object  at  this  point,  calling  attention  to  the  obvious  fact  that  the  New  Testament਀瀀漀爀琀爀愀椀琀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀 挀漀洀攀猀 琀漀 甀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 瀀攀渀猀 漀昀 戀椀愀猀攀搀 洀攀渀 眀栀漀 栀愀搀 愀渀 愀最攀渀搀愀⸀ 吀栀攀 䜀漀猀瀀攀氀猀 愀爀攀
not  history,  they  say,  but  redemptive  history,  with  the  accent  on  efforts  to  persuade  men  to਀昀漀氀氀漀眀 䨀攀猀甀猀⸀ 䌀攀爀琀愀椀渀氀礀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 眀爀椀琀攀爀猀 栀愀搀 愀渀 愀最攀渀搀愀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 椀琀 眀愀猀 渀漀琀 愀 栀椀搀搀攀渀 愀最攀渀搀愀⸀ 吀栀攀 䄀瀀漀猀琀氀攀
John  says  forthrightly,  “These  [things]  are  written  so  that  you  may  believe  that  Jesus  is  the਀䌀栀爀椀猀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 匀漀渀 漀昀 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀愀琀 戀礀 戀攀氀椀攀瘀椀渀最 礀漀甀 洀愀礀 栀愀瘀攀 氀椀昀攀 椀渀 栀椀猀 渀愀洀攀ᴀ†⠀䨀漀栀渀 ㈀　㨀㌀㄀⤀⸀
The fact that the biblical writers were believers and were zealous to persuade others counts਀昀漀爀 琀栀攀椀爀 瘀攀爀愀挀椀琀礀⸀ 䠀愀搀 琀栀攀礀 戀攀攀渀 甀渀戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀爀猀 眀栀椀氀攀 攀砀栀漀爀琀椀渀最 漀琀栀攀爀猀 琀漀 戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀Ⰰ 琀栀攀礀 眀漀甀氀搀 栀愀瘀攀
been guilty of duplicity. Of course, men can be mistaken about what they proclaim, but the fact਀琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀礀 戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀搀 琀栀攀椀爀 漀眀渀 洀攀猀猀愀最攀Ⰰ 攀瘀攀渀 甀渀琀漀 搀攀愀琀栀Ⰰ 猀栀漀甀氀搀 攀渀栀愀渀挀攀 爀愀琀栀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 眀攀愀欀攀渀 琀栀攀椀爀挀爀攀搀椀戀椀氀椀琀礀⸀ 吀栀攀椀爀猀 眀愀猀 椀渀搀攀攀搀 愀 爀攀挀漀爀搀 漀昀 爀攀搀攀洀瀀琀椀瘀攀 栀椀猀琀漀爀礀⸀ 䤀琀 眀愀猀 爀攀搀攀洀瀀琀椀瘀攀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀  琀栀攀礀
were not writing from the standpoint of neutral, disinterested historians. It was history because਀琀栀攀礀 椀渀猀椀猀琀攀搀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀椀爀 琀攀猀琀椀洀漀渀礀 眀愀猀 琀爀甀攀⸀
Jesus in the Old Testament਀圀攀  昀椀渀搀  琀栀愀琀  䨀攀猀甀猀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀  椀猀  琀栀攀  琀栀攀洀攀  漀昀  琀栀攀  伀氀搀  吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ  琀漀漀⸀  吀栀攀  琀愀戀攀爀渀愀挀氀攀Ⰰ  眀栀椀挀栀  椀猀
described in great detail in Exodus 25–27 and 30, is heavily symbolic of Jesus Himself. In His਀瀀攀爀猀漀渀 愀渀搀 眀漀爀欀Ⰰ 䠀攀 椀猀 琀栀攀 琀愀戀攀爀渀愀挀氀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀⸀ 䄀氀氀 琀栀攀 搀攀琀愀椀氀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀
sacrificial system find their fulfillment in the ministry of Jesus. The historical books are filled਀眀椀琀栀  琀礀瀀攀猀  愀渀搀  昀椀最甀爀攀猀  琀栀愀琀  瀀漀椀渀琀  琀漀  琀栀攀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀  眀栀漀  眀愀猀  琀漀  挀漀洀攀Ⰰ  氀椀欀攀  䬀椀渀最  䐀愀瘀椀搀Ⰰ  䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ 
ancestor, who was promised that the eternal King would come through his line (2 Sam. 7).਀吀栀攀 戀漀漀欀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀猀 愀爀攀 昀椀氀氀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 爀攀昀攀爀攀渀挀攀猀 琀漀 琀栀攀 伀渀攀 琀漀 挀漀洀攀Ⰰ 猀甀挀栀 愀猀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀
Isaiah, whose words foretelling Christ and His atoning work read like an eyewitness account of਀琀栀攀 瀀愀猀猀椀漀渀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀⸀ 䤀琀 椀猀 渀漀琀 戀礀 愀挀挀椀搀攀渀琀 琀栀愀琀 䤀猀愀椀愀栀 椀猀 琀栀攀 洀漀猀琀 昀爀攀焀甀攀渀琀氀礀 焀甀漀琀攀搀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀 椀渀 琀栀攀
New Testament. For example, the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah says:਀圀栀漀 栀愀猀 戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀搀 眀栀愀琀 栀攀 栀愀猀 栀攀愀爀搀 昀爀漀洀 甀猀㼀
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been਀爀攀瘀攀愀氀攀搀㼀
For he grew up before him like a young plant,਀愀渀搀 氀椀欀攀 愀 爀漀漀琀 漀甀琀 漀昀 搀爀礀 最爀漀甀渀搀㬀
he had no form or majesty that we should look at਀栀椀洀Ⰰ
and no beauty that we should desire him.਀䠀攀 眀愀猀 搀攀猀瀀椀猀攀搀 愀渀搀 爀攀樀攀挀琀攀搀 戀礀 洀攀渀㬀
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;਀愀渀搀 愀猀 漀渀攀 昀爀漀洀 眀栀漀洀 洀攀渀 栀椀搀攀 琀栀攀椀爀 昀愀挀攀猀
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.਀匀甀爀攀氀礀 栀攀 栀愀猀 戀漀爀渀攀 漀甀爀 最爀椀攀昀猀
and carried our sorrows;਀礀攀琀 眀攀 攀猀琀攀攀洀攀搀 栀椀洀 猀琀爀椀挀欀攀渀Ⰰ
smitten by God, and afflicted.਀䈀甀琀 栀攀 眀愀猀 瀀椀攀爀挀攀搀 昀漀爀 漀甀爀 琀爀愀渀猀最爀攀猀猀椀漀渀猀㬀
he was crushed for our iniquities;਀甀瀀漀渀 栀椀洀 眀愀猀 琀栀攀 挀栀愀猀琀椀猀攀洀攀渀琀 琀栀愀琀 戀爀漀甀最栀琀 甀猀
peace,਀愀渀搀 眀椀琀栀 栀椀猀 眀漀甀渀搀猀 眀攀 愀爀攀 栀攀愀氀攀搀⸀
All we like sheep have gone astray;਀眀攀 栀愀瘀攀 琀甀爀渀攀搀᐀攠瘀攀爀礀 漀渀攀᐀琠漀 栀椀猀 漀眀渀 眀愀礀㬀
and the LORD has laid on him਀琀栀攀 椀渀椀焀甀椀琀礀 漀昀 甀猀 愀氀氀⸀ ⠀䤀猀愀⸀ 㔀㌀㨀㄀ጀ㘠⤀䘀爀漀洀  䜀攀渀攀猀椀猀  琀漀  刀攀瘀攀氀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ  眀攀  昀椀渀搀  琀栀攀  猀琀漀爀礀  漀昀  䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ  琀栀攀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀⸀  圀攀  猀攀攀  椀渀  琀栀椀猀
magnificent portrait of Jesus the perfect man, but not just the perfect man—we see the One who਀椀渀搀攀攀搀 椀猀 䜀漀搀 眀椀琀栀 甀猀Ⰰ 䜀漀搀 椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀攀⸀ 吀栀爀漀甀最栀ⴀ漀甀琀 栀椀猀琀漀爀礀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 栀愀猀 猀漀甀最栀琀 琀漀 洀愀欀攀 猀攀渀猀攀
of what Scripture says about this person who is both truly God and truly man. Being faithful both਀琀漀 琀栀攀 栀甀洀愀渀椀琀礀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀 愀渀搀 琀漀 琀栀攀 搀攀椀琀礀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀 挀爀甀挀椀愀氀 椀昀 眀攀 愀爀攀 琀漀 栀愀瘀攀 愀 琀爀甀攀Ⰰ 戀椀戀氀椀挀愀氀
answer to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”਀吀栀攀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 眀攀 戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀 椀渀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 眀攀 琀爀甀猀琀Ⰰ 洀甀猀琀 戀攀 琀爀甀攀 椀昀 眀攀 愀爀攀 琀漀 戀攀 爀攀搀攀攀洀攀搀⸀ 䄀 昀愀氀猀攀
Christ or a substitute Christ cannot redeem. If it is thought unlikely that the biblical Christ can਀爀攀搀攀攀洀Ⰰ 椀琀 椀猀 攀瘀攀渀 氀攀猀猀 氀椀欀攀氀礀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 猀瀀攀挀甀氀愀琀椀瘀攀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 漀昀 栀甀洀愀渀 椀渀瘀攀渀琀椀漀渀 挀愀渀 爀攀搀攀攀洀⸀ 䄀瀀愀爀琀
from the Bible, we know nothing of consequence concerning the real Jesus. Ultimately, our faith਀猀琀愀渀搀猀 漀爀 昀愀氀氀猀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 戀椀戀氀椀挀愀氀 䨀攀猀甀猀⸀
'਀䌀栀愀瀀琀攀爀 吀眀漀
One Person, Two Natures਀
We  live  in  a  time  when  the  person  of  Christ  is  a  matter  of  great  controversy  among਀琀栀攀漀氀漀最椀愀渀猀⸀  刀椀最漀爀漀甀猀  愀挀愀搀攀洀椀挀  愀琀琀攀洀瀀琀猀  栀愀瘀攀  戀攀攀渀  洀愀搀攀  琀漀  最攀琀  戀攀栀椀渀搀  琀栀攀  一攀眀  吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀
portrait of Jesus, to discover the “real” historical Jesus. These attempts to penetrate the wall of਀栀椀猀琀漀爀礀Ⰰ 琀漀 瀀攀攀欀 戀攀栀椀渀搀 琀栀攀 瘀攀椀氀 漀昀 琀栀攀 猀漀ⴀ挀愀氀氀攀搀 瀀爀椀洀椀琀椀瘀攀 䄀瀀漀猀琀漀氀椀挀 眀椀琀渀攀猀猀Ⰰ 栀愀瘀攀 琀愀甀最栀琀 甀猀 洀甀挀栀
about the prejudice of the scholars but have added little or nothing to our understanding of the਀爀攀愀氀 䨀攀猀甀猀⸀ 圀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 猀挀栀漀氀愀爀猀 搀椀猀挀漀瘀攀爀攀搀 戀攀栀椀渀搀 琀栀攀 瘀攀椀氀 眀愀猀 愀 䨀攀猀甀猀 挀爀攀愀琀攀搀 椀渀 琀栀攀椀爀 漀眀渀 椀洀愀最攀
according to their own prejudices.਀䠀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 琀栀椀猀 椀猀 渀漀琀 愀 渀攀眀 瀀爀漀戀氀攀洀⸀ 䤀渀 琀栀攀 昀漀甀爀琀栀 挀攀渀琀甀爀礀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䄀爀椀愀渀 挀漀渀琀爀漀瘀攀爀猀礀 瀀爀攀挀椀瀀椀琀愀琀攀搀
the Council of Nicea (AD 325). Another controversy brought about the ecumenical Council of਀䌀栀愀氀挀攀搀漀渀 ⠀䄀䐀 㐀㔀㄀⤀⸀ 吀栀攀 渀椀渀攀琀攀攀渀琀栀 挀攀渀琀甀爀礀 猀愀眀 琀栀攀 愀搀瘀攀渀琀 漀昀 氀椀戀攀爀愀氀椀猀洀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 椀渀 琀栀攀 琀眀攀渀琀椀攀琀栀
century there was the group called the Jesus Seminar, each of which sought to define Christ with਀渀漀 爀攀最愀爀搀 昀漀爀 戀椀戀氀椀挀愀氀 椀渀琀攀最爀椀琀礀⸀ 吀栀攀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 栀愀猀 栀愀搀 琀漀 搀攀昀椀渀攀 栀攀爀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀椀渀最 漀昀 琀栀攀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 漀昀
Christ repeatedly.਀吀眀漀 䠀攀爀攀猀椀攀猀
The fifth century witnessed a two-pronged assault on Christian orthodoxy. First, there was the਀䴀漀渀漀瀀栀礀猀椀琀攀 栀攀爀攀猀礀Ⰰ 戀爀漀甀最栀琀 愀戀漀甀琀 戀礀 愀 洀愀渀 渀愀洀攀搀 䔀甀琀礀挀栀攀猀⸀ 吀栀攀 渀愀洀攀 漀昀 琀栀椀猀 瀀漀猀椀琀椀漀渀 挀漀洀攀猀
from  the  prefix  mono,  meaning  “one,”  and  the  word  physis,  which  means  “nature.”  The਀䴀漀渀漀瀀栀礀猀椀琀攀猀 戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀搀 琀栀愀琀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 栀愀猀 漀渀氀礀 漀渀攀 渀愀琀甀爀攀㬀 琀栀攀礀 搀攀渀椀攀搀 琀栀愀琀 䠀攀 椀猀 漀渀攀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 眀椀琀栀
two natures, one divine and one human. Even before Eutyches, others had argued that Christ has਀漀渀氀礀 漀渀攀 渀愀琀甀爀攀㬀 漀昀 琀栀漀猀攀Ⰰ 猀漀洀攀 猀愀椀搀 琀栀愀琀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 眀愀猀 洀攀爀攀氀礀 栀甀洀愀渀Ⰰ 眀椀琀栀 渀漀 搀攀椀琀礀Ⰰ 眀栀椀氀攀 漀琀栀攀爀猀Ⰰ
such  as  the  Docetists,  argued  that  He  is  completely  divine,  with  no  humanity.  Eutyches਀昀漀爀洀甀氀愀琀攀搀 琀栀攀 椀搀攀愀 琀栀愀琀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 栀愀猀 愀 琀栀攀愀渀琀栀爀漀瀀椀挀 渀愀琀甀爀攀⸀ 吀栀攀 琀攀爀洀 挀漀洀攀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 䜀爀攀攀欀 眀漀爀搀
theos,  which  means  “god,”  and  the  word  anthrōpos,  which  means  “man.”  Eutyches  said  that਀䌀栀爀椀猀琀ᤀ猠 渀愀琀甀爀攀 椀猀 渀攀椀琀栀攀爀 琀爀甀氀礀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 渀漀爀 琀爀甀氀礀 栀甀洀愀渀㬀 爀愀琀栀攀爀Ⰰ 椀琀 椀猀 愀 洀椀砀琀甀爀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 愀渀搀栀甀洀愀渀⸀
Another prominent heresy of the fifth century was Nestorianism. Nestorius argued that since਀䌀栀爀椀猀琀  栀愀猀  琀眀漀  搀椀猀琀椀渀挀琀  渀愀琀甀爀攀猀Ⰰ  漀渀攀  搀椀瘀椀渀攀  愀渀搀  琀栀攀  漀琀栀攀爀  栀甀洀愀渀Ⰰ  䠀攀  洀甀猀琀  琀栀攀爀攀昀漀爀攀  栀愀瘀攀  琀眀漀
distinct personalities. If there are two natures, there must be two persons.਀匀漀 琀栀攀 搀漀挀琀爀椀渀攀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 眀愀猀 愀琀琀愀挀欀攀搀 昀爀漀洀 戀漀琀栀 猀椀搀攀猀㨀 漀渀攀 猀椀搀攀 搀攀渀椀攀搀 琀栀攀 搀甀愀氀 渀愀琀甀爀攀 漀昀
Christ by reducing it to a single, confused mixture of divine and human, and the other affirmed਀琀眀漀 渀愀琀甀爀攀猀 戀甀琀 搀攀渀椀攀搀 琀栀攀椀爀 甀渀椀琀礀⸀
The Chalcedonian Council਀吀栀攀猀攀 琀眀椀渀 栀攀爀攀猀椀攀猀 瀀爀漀洀瀀琀攀搀 琀栀攀 䌀漀甀渀挀椀氀 漀昀 䌀栀愀氀挀攀搀漀渀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀愀琀 挀漀甀渀挀椀氀 挀愀洀攀 琀栀攀 挀氀愀猀猀椀挀
formulation of the dual nature of Christ: that Christ is one person with two natures. The idea here਀椀猀 琀栀愀琀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀 瘀攀爀愀 栀漀洀漀Ⰰ 瘀攀爀愀 䐀攀甀猀Ⰰ ᰀ琠爀甀氀礀 洀愀渀 愀渀搀 琀爀甀氀礀 䜀漀搀⸀ᴀ†䌀栀爀椀猀琀 栀愀猀 愀 琀爀甀攀 栀甀洀愀渀 渀愀琀甀爀攀
and a true divine nature; these two natures are perfectly united in one person.਀䄀氀漀渀最 眀椀琀栀 琀栀愀琀 愀昀昀椀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䌀栀愀氀挀攀搀漀渀椀愀渀 䌀漀甀渀挀椀氀 瀀甀琀 昀漀爀琀栀 昀漀甀爀 渀攀最愀琀椀瘀攀猀⸀ 吀栀爀漀甀最栀漀甀琀
its history, the church has sought to describe certain concepts by way of negation. For example,਀椀渀 猀漀洀攀 眀愀礀猀 眀攀 挀愀渀 搀攀昀椀渀攀 䜀漀搀 戀礀 眀栀愀琀 䠀攀 椀猀 渀漀琀⸀ 䠀攀 椀猀 椀渀昀椀渀椀琀攀Ⰰ 洀攀愀渀椀渀最 䠀攀 椀猀 渀漀琀 昀椀渀椀琀攀⸀ 䠀攀 椀猀
immutable, meaning He is not mutable. Likewise, the framers of the Chalcedonian Creed put਀昀漀爀琀栀  昀漀甀爀  渀攀最愀琀椀瘀攀猀Ⰰ  挀漀渀昀攀猀猀椀渀最  琀栀愀琀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀  椀猀  琀爀甀氀礀  栀甀洀愀渀  愀渀搀  琀爀甀氀礀  䜀漀搀Ⰰ  愀渀搀  琀栀愀琀  琀栀攀猀攀  琀眀漀
natures are perfectly united without mixture, confusion, separation, or division.਀吀栀攀  昀椀爀猀琀  琀眀漀  漀昀  琀栀攀猀攀  渀攀最愀琀椀瘀攀猀Ⰰ  搀椀爀攀挀琀攀搀  愀琀  琀栀攀  䴀漀渀漀瀀栀礀猀椀琀攀  栀攀爀攀猀礀Ⰰ  猀琀愀琀攀猀  琀栀愀琀  琀栀攀  琀眀漀
natures, the divine and the human, are not blended so as to render a deified human nature or a਀栀甀洀愀渀椀稀攀搀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 渀愀琀甀爀攀⸀ 吀栀攀 栀甀洀愀渀 渀愀琀甀爀攀 椀猀 愀氀眀愀礀猀 栀甀洀愀渀Ⰰ 猀甀戀樀攀挀琀 琀漀 琀栀攀 渀漀爀洀愀氀 氀椀洀椀琀愀琀椀漀渀猀
of  humanity,  and  the  divine  nature  is  always  divine,  retaining  all  the  divine  attributes.  For਀椀渀猀琀愀渀挀攀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 洀椀渀搀 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 氀漀猀攀 椀琀猀 漀洀渀椀猀挀椀攀渀挀攀 椀渀 琀栀攀 椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀椀漀渀㬀 琀栀攀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 洀椀渀搀 欀渀攀眀
everything,  even  though  the  human  mind  did  not.  The  second  two  negatives  are  aimed  at਀一攀猀琀漀爀椀愀渀椀猀洀⸀  吀栀攀礀  愀昀昀椀爀洀  琀栀愀琀  琀栀攀  琀眀漀  渀愀琀甀爀攀猀  漀昀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀  愀爀攀  椀渀搀椀瘀椀猀椀戀氀礀  愀渀搀  瀀攀爀昀攀挀琀氀礀  甀渀椀琀攀搀
within the one person of Christ, such that there are not two persons, human and divine, but one਀搀椀瘀椀渀攀ⴀ栀甀洀愀渀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䜀漀搀ጀ洠愀渀⸀
Sui Generis਀吀栀攀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 栀愀猀 栀愀搀 琀漀 最爀愀瀀瀀氀攀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 椀洀瀀氀椀挀愀琀椀漀渀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 椀搀攀愀 漀昀 漀渀攀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 椀渀 琀眀漀 渀愀琀甀爀攀猀 椀渀
considering some of Jesus’ words. At one point, the disciples asked Jesus, “What will be the sign਀漀昀 礀漀甀爀 挀漀洀椀渀最 愀渀搀 漀昀 琀栀攀 攀渀搀 漀昀 琀栀攀 愀最攀㼀ᴀ†䨀攀猀甀猀 爀攀瀀氀椀攀搀Ⰰ ᰀ䈠甀琀 挀漀渀挀攀爀渀椀渀最 琀栀愀琀 搀愀礀 愀渀搀 栀漀甀爀 渀漀
one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matt. 24:3, 36). In਀漀琀栀攀爀 眀漀爀搀猀Ⰰ 䨀攀猀甀猀 琀漀氀搀 䠀椀猀 搀椀猀挀椀瀀氀攀猀 琀栀愀琀 䠀攀 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 欀渀漀眀 眀栀攀渀 琀栀攀 攀渀搀 漀昀 琀栀攀 愀最攀 眀漀甀氀搀 挀漀洀攀⸀
Was that an indication of the human nature or the divine nature?਀圀栀攀渀 眀攀 氀漀漀欀 愀琀 琀栀攀 氀椀昀攀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀 愀猀 椀琀 椀猀 搀椀猀瀀氀愀礀攀搀 漀渀 琀栀攀 瀀愀最攀猀 漀昀 匀挀爀椀瀀琀甀爀攀Ⰰ 挀攀爀琀愀椀渀 愀挀琀椀漀渀猀
are easy to assign to His human nature. When Jesus perspired in the garden of Gethsemane on਀琀栀攀 渀椀最栀琀 戀攀昀漀爀攀 䠀椀猀 挀爀甀挀椀昀椀砀椀漀渀Ⰰ 眀愀猀 琀栀愀琀 愀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 洀愀渀椀昀攀猀琀愀琀椀漀渀㼀 䤀猀 猀眀攀愀琀 猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最 眀攀 眀漀甀氀搀
expect from God? No, God does not sweat. Likewise, He does not get hungry, bleed, or cry.Most importantly, the divine nature did not die on the cross; if the divine nature had died on the਀挀爀漀猀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 甀渀椀瘀攀爀猀攀 眀漀甀氀搀 栀愀瘀攀 挀攀愀猀攀搀 琀漀 攀砀椀猀琀⸀ 䄀氀氀 琀栀攀猀攀 攀瘀攀渀琀猀 攀瘀椀搀攀渀挀攀搀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†栀甀洀愀渀椀琀礀⸀
In  the  same  way,  when  Jesus  said  He  did  not  know  the  timing  of  the  end  of  the  age,  it਀漀戀瘀椀漀甀猀氀礀 眀愀猀 愀 猀琀愀琀攀洀攀渀琀 漀昀 䠀椀猀 栀甀洀愀渀椀琀礀⸀ 匀漀洀攀 漀戀樀攀挀琀 琀栀愀琀 椀昀 䜀漀搀 欀渀漀眀猀 攀瘀攀爀礀琀栀椀渀最Ⰰ 愀渀搀 椀昀 椀渀
Christ there is a perfect union of the divine nature and the human nature, how could there be਀愀渀礀琀栀椀渀最  琀栀愀琀  䨀攀猀甀猀  搀椀搀  渀漀琀  欀渀漀眀㼀  吀栀愀琀  椀猀  猀椀洀椀氀愀爀  琀漀  焀甀攀猀琀椀漀渀椀渀最  栀漀眀  䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ  眀椀琀栀  䠀椀猀  搀椀瘀椀渀攀
nature, could have experienced hunger, which the Bible clearly says He did. The point is the਀椀洀瀀漀爀琀愀渀挀攀 漀昀 搀椀猀琀椀渀最甀椀猀栀椀渀最 戀攀琀眀攀攀渀 琀栀攀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 渀愀琀甀爀攀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 栀甀洀愀渀 渀愀琀甀爀攀 猀漀 琀栀愀琀 眀攀 搀漀 渀漀琀
confuse them or blend them in such a way as to obscure the reality of either.਀吀栀攀 昀愀挀琀 琀栀愀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 欀渀漀眀 琀栀攀 搀愀礀 漀爀 琀栀攀 栀漀甀爀 漀昀 琀栀攀 攀渀搀 漀昀 琀栀攀 愀最攀 搀漀攀猀 渀漀琀 椀渀搀椀挀愀琀攀 愀
separation between His human nature and His divine nature. There is no separation—but there is਀愀  搀椀猀琀椀渀挀琀椀漀渀⸀  䠀椀猀  栀甀洀愀渀  洀椀渀搀  椀猀  愀氀眀愀礀猀  椀渀  甀渀椀琀礀  眀椀琀栀  䠀椀猀  搀椀瘀椀渀攀  洀椀渀搀Ⰰ  愀渀搀  椀渀  琀栀攀  一攀眀
Testament we see Jesus display supernatural knowledge frequently. He revealed things that no਀栀甀洀愀渀 挀漀甀氀搀 瀀漀猀猀椀戀氀礀 欀渀漀眀⸀ 圀栀攀爀攀 搀椀搀 䠀攀 最攀琀 琀栀愀琀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀㼀 䠀攀 最漀琀 椀琀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 伀渀攀 眀栀漀 椀猀
omniscient. Yet it is one thing for the divine nature to communicate knowledge to the human਀渀愀琀甀爀攀㬀 椀琀 椀猀 愀渀漀琀栀攀爀 琀栀椀渀最 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 渀愀琀甀爀攀 琀漀 猀眀愀氀氀漀眀 琀栀攀 栀甀洀愀渀 渀愀琀甀爀攀 愀渀搀 搀攀椀昀礀 琀栀攀 栀甀洀愀渀
mind of Christ. The human mind had access to the divine mind, if you will, but they were not the਀猀愀洀攀Ⰰ 猀漀 琀栀攀爀攀 眀攀爀攀 挀攀爀琀愀椀渀 琀栀椀渀最猀 琀栀愀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ 愀挀挀漀爀搀椀渀最 琀漀 䠀椀猀 栀甀洀愀渀 渀愀琀甀爀攀Ⰰ 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 欀渀漀眀Ⰰ 戀礀
His own testimony.਀吀栀愀琀  瀀攀爀瀀氀攀砀攀搀  攀瘀攀渀  琀栀攀  戀爀椀氀氀椀愀渀琀  琀栀椀爀琀攀攀渀琀栀ⴀ挀攀渀琀甀爀礀  琀栀攀漀氀漀最椀愀渀  吀栀漀洀愀猀  䄀焀甀椀渀愀猀Ⰰ  眀栀漀
formulated what he called “the accommodation theory.” Thomas said that Jesus had to know the਀搀愀礀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 栀漀甀爀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 䠀攀 椀猀 䜀漀搀 椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀攀⸀ 䜀椀瘀攀渀 琀栀攀 瀀攀爀昀攀挀琀 甀渀椀漀渀 漀昀 䠀椀猀 琀眀漀 渀愀琀甀爀攀猀Ⰰ 栀漀眀
could the divine mind know something that the human mind did not know? Thomas said this਀挀漀甀氀搀 渀漀琀 戀攀Ⰰ 猀漀 䨀攀猀甀猀 洀甀猀琀 栀愀瘀攀 欀渀漀眀渀 愀渀搀 挀栀漀猀攀渀 渀漀琀 琀漀 琀攀氀氀 琀栀攀 搀椀猀挀椀瀀氀攀猀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 琀栀攀 愀渀猀眀攀爀
to their question was too mysterious or theologically difficult for them to grasp. However, with਀愀氀氀 搀甀攀 爀攀猀瀀攀挀琀 琀漀 吀栀漀洀愀猀Ⰰ 椀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀 琀漀氀搀 䠀椀猀 搀椀猀挀椀瀀氀攀猀 琀栀愀琀 䠀攀 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 欀渀漀眀 眀栀攀渀 䠀攀 愀挀琀甀愀氀氀礀 搀椀搀
know, He was lying, and even one lie would have disqualified Him from being our Savior. We਀栀愀瘀攀 琀漀 琀愀欀攀 猀攀爀椀漀甀猀氀礀 眀栀愀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀 猀愀椀搀 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 氀椀洀椀琀猀Ⰰ 栀甀洀愀渀氀礀 猀瀀攀愀欀椀渀最Ⰰ 漀昀 䠀椀猀 欀渀漀眀氀攀搀最攀⸀
So,  the  first  two  negatives  of  the  Chalcedonian  Creed—  without  mixture  and  without਀挀漀渀昀甀猀椀漀渀᐀眠攀爀攀  搀攀猀椀最渀攀搀  琀漀  愀搀搀爀攀猀猀  琀栀攀  䴀漀渀漀瀀栀礀猀椀琀攀  栀攀爀攀猀礀⸀  吀栀攀  漀琀栀攀爀  琀眀漀᐀眠椀琀栀漀甀琀
separation and without division—were designed to confront the Nestorian heresy, affirming that਀琀栀攀 瀀爀攀猀攀渀挀攀 漀昀 琀眀漀 渀愀琀甀爀攀猀 椀渀 䨀攀猀甀猀 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 洀攀愀渀 䠀攀 眀愀猀 渀漀琀 漀渀攀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀⸀ 䄀氀氀 昀漀甀爀 渀攀最愀琀椀瘀攀猀 猀攀琀
for us the boundaries in which we seek to understand the mystery of the incarnation. I stress the਀眀漀爀搀  洀礀猀琀攀爀礀  戀攀挀愀甀猀攀Ⰰ  攀瘀攀渀  眀椀琀栀  琀栀攀  昀漀爀洀甀氀愀琀椀漀渀猀  瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀搀  戀礀  琀栀攀  挀栀甀爀挀栀Ⰰ  渀漀  漀渀攀  栀愀猀  攀瘀攀爀
penetrated the depths of how Christ can be truly God and truly man. We have One who is sui਀最攀渀攀爀椀猀㨀 䠀攀 椀猀 椀渀 愀 挀氀愀猀猀 戀礀 䠀椀洀猀攀氀昀⸀ 伀渀氀礀 漀渀攀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 椀渀 愀氀氀 漀昀 栀甀洀愀渀 栀椀猀琀漀爀礀 栀愀猀 攀瘀攀爀 戀攀攀渀 䜀漀搀
incarnate, and the mystery of the incarnation is beyond our full understanding.਀䠀甀洀愀渀 愀渀搀 䐀椀瘀椀渀攀
The value of Chalcedon is twofold. First, there is the affirmation every Christian has to make:਀䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀 琀爀甀氀礀 栀甀洀愀渀 愀渀搀 琀爀甀氀礀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀⸀ 匀攀挀漀渀搀Ⰰ 眀栀攀渀 琀栀攀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 琀爀椀攀猀 琀漀 攀砀瀀氀愀椀渀 琀栀攀 渀愀琀甀爀攀 漀昀 䠀椀猀
unity, it falls back on negatives, thereby establishing borders past which we dare not travel. The਀漀渀氀礀  琀栀椀渀最  漀渀  琀栀攀  漀琀栀攀爀  猀椀搀攀  漀昀  琀栀漀猀攀  戀漀爀搀攀爀猀  椀猀  猀漀洀攀  欀椀渀搀  漀昀  栀攀爀攀猀礀⸀  伀渀攀  漀昀  洀礀  猀攀洀椀渀愀爀礀瀀爀漀昀攀猀猀漀爀猀  猀愀椀搀  琀漀  栀椀猀  猀琀甀搀攀渀琀猀Ⰰ  ᰀ䤠昀  礀漀甀  琀爀礀  琀漀  琀栀椀渀欀  挀漀渀挀爀攀琀攀氀礀  愀戀漀甀琀  琀栀攀  甀渀椀漀渀  漀昀  琀栀攀  栀甀洀愀渀
nature and the divine nature—if you go beyond the negative categories established by Chalcedon਀᐀礠漀甀 洀甀猀琀 挀栀漀漀猀攀 礀漀甀爀 栀攀爀攀猀礀⸀ᴀ†吀栀攀 䌀栀愀氀挀攀搀漀渀椀愀渀 䌀爀攀攀搀 爀攀猀琀爀椀挀琀猀 甀猀 猀漀 琀栀愀琀Ⰰ 渀漀 洀愀琀琀攀爀 栀漀眀 眀攀
conceive of the two natures, we must not think of them as an amalgamated blending or a stark਀猀攀瀀愀爀愀琀椀漀渀 昀爀漀洀 漀渀攀 愀渀漀琀栀攀爀⸀ 吀栀攀礀 愀爀攀 甀渀椀琀攀搀Ⰰ 礀攀琀 搀椀猀琀椀渀挀琀⸀
An  important  phrase  of  the  creed  has  been  woefully  neglected  historically:  “Each  nature਀爀攀琀愀椀渀椀渀最 椀琀猀 漀眀渀 愀琀琀爀椀戀甀琀攀猀⸀ᴀ†䌀栀爀椀猀琀 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 氀愀礀 愀猀椀搀攀 愀渀礀  漀昀  䠀椀猀  搀椀瘀椀渀攀  愀琀琀爀椀戀甀琀攀猀⸀  吀栀攀  搀椀瘀椀渀攀
nature of Christ is eternal, infinite, immutable, omniscient, and omnipotent. The human nature਀愀氀猀漀  爀攀琀愀椀渀猀  琀栀攀  愀琀琀爀椀戀甀琀攀猀  漀昀  栀甀洀愀渀椀琀礀㬀  椀琀  椀猀  昀椀渀椀琀攀  愀渀搀  爀攀猀琀爀椀挀琀攀搀  戀礀  猀瀀愀挀攀  愀渀搀  琀椀洀攀⸀  吀栀攀
Chalcedonian  formula  provides  us  some  direction  as  we  continue  our  study  of  the  person  of਀
Christ.Chapter Three਀吀栀攀 一愀洀攀猀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀
਀䄀  昀愀猀挀椀渀愀琀椀渀最 攀氀攀洀攀渀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䈀椀戀氀攀 椀猀 琀栀攀 猀椀最渀椀昀椀挀愀渀挀攀 琀栀愀琀 椀猀 漀昀琀攀渀 愀琀琀愀挀栀攀搀 琀漀 渀愀洀攀猀 愀渀搀 琀椀琀氀攀猀⸀
The names and titles for God the Father are many, and they reveal something of His character.਀吀栀攀 猀愀洀攀 椀猀 琀爀甀攀 昀漀爀 䨀攀猀甀猀⸀
I  recall  an  address  given  by  a  scholar  at  a  seminary  convocation.  The  attendees  were਀攀砀瀀攀挀琀椀渀最  愀渀  愀挀愀搀攀洀椀挀  搀椀猀挀漀甀爀猀攀Ⰰ  戀甀琀  琀栀攀  猀瀀攀愀欀攀爀  猀甀爀瀀爀椀猀攀搀  攀瘀攀爀礀漀渀攀  戀礀  猀椀洀瀀氀礀  爀攀挀椀琀椀渀最  琀栀攀
names and titles for Jesus found in Scripture: “Lord,” “Son of God,” “Son of Man,” “Son of਀䐀愀瘀椀搀Ⰰᴀ†ᰀ䤠洀洀愀渀甀攀氀Ⰰᴀ†ᰀ琠栀攀 圀漀爀搀Ⰰᴀ†愀渀搀 猀漀 漀渀⸀ 䤀琀 琀漀漀欀 栀椀洀 昀漀爀琀礀ⴀ昀椀瘀攀 洀椀渀甀琀攀猀 琀漀 攀砀栀愀甀猀琀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀
names and titles. Each one of them reveals something to us about the character or work of Christ.਀䤀渀 琀栀椀猀 挀栀愀瀀琀攀爀Ⰰ 䤀 眀愀渀琀 琀漀 氀漀漀欀 愀琀 猀漀洀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀漀爀攀 瀀爀漀洀椀渀攀渀琀 琀椀琀氀攀猀 愀猀挀爀椀戀攀搀 琀漀 䨀攀猀甀猀 椀渀 琀栀攀 一攀眀
Testament.਀䌀栀爀椀猀琀
We know Him best as Jesus Christ, but that is not really His name. His name is Jesus, Jesus Bar-਀䨀漀猀攀瀀栀Ⰰ 漀爀 䨀攀猀甀猀 漀昀 一愀稀愀爀攀琀栀⸀ 䌀栀爀椀猀琀Ⰰ 栀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 椀猀 愀 琀椀琀氀攀⸀ 䤀琀 椀猀 愀瀀瀀氀椀攀搀 琀漀 䨀攀猀甀猀 洀漀爀攀 昀爀攀焀甀攀渀琀氀礀
than any other title in Scripture. Sometimes the Bible reverses the order and speaks of “Christ਀䨀攀猀甀猀⸀ᴀ†吀栀攀 眀漀爀搀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 挀漀洀攀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 䜀爀攀攀欀 眀漀爀搀 挀栀爀椀猀琀漀猀Ⰰ 眀栀椀挀栀 椀猀 琀栀攀 琀爀愀渀猀氀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀
Testament word messiah, and it means “one who is anointed.”਀圀栀攀渀  䨀攀猀甀猀  最愀瘀攀  䠀椀猀  昀椀爀猀琀  爀攀挀漀爀搀攀搀  猀攀爀洀漀渀  椀渀  琀栀攀  猀礀渀愀最漀最甀攀Ⰰ  䠀攀  爀攀愀搀  昀爀漀洀  琀栀攀  瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀
Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to਀琀栀攀 瀀漀漀爀⸀ 䠀攀 栀愀猀 猀攀渀琀 洀攀 琀漀 瀀爀漀挀氀愀椀洀 氀椀戀攀爀琀礀 琀漀 琀栀攀 挀愀瀀琀椀瘀攀猀 愀渀搀 爀攀挀漀瘀攀爀椀渀最 漀昀 猀椀最栀琀 琀漀 琀栀攀 戀氀椀渀搀Ⰰ
to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18–਀㄀㤀⤀⸀ 吀栀攀 琀攀砀琀 猀瀀攀愀欀猀 漀昀 愀渀 愀渀琀椀挀椀瀀愀琀攀搀 搀攀氀椀瘀攀爀攀爀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䴀攀猀猀椀愀栀⸀ 䄀昀琀攀爀 爀攀愀搀椀渀最 琀栀愀琀 琀攀砀琀Ⰰ 䨀攀猀甀猀 猀愀椀搀 琀漀
those  listening,  “Today  this  Scripture  has  been  fulfilled  in  your  hearing”  (v.  21).  He  was਀椀搀攀渀琀椀昀礀椀渀最 䠀椀洀猀攀氀昀 眀椀琀栀 䤀猀愀椀愀栀ᤀ猠 眀漀爀搀猀 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 䴀攀猀猀椀愀栀⸀
Similarly, Jesus’ disciples recognized Him as the Christ, the fulfillment of Old Testamentmessianic expectations. When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon਀倀攀琀攀爀 猀愀椀搀Ⰰ ᰀ夠漀甀 愀爀攀 琀栀攀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 匀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 氀椀瘀椀渀最 䜀漀搀ᴀ†⠀䴀愀琀琀⸀ ㄀㘀㨀㄀㘀⤀⸀
The concept of the Messiah is extremely complex, but there are several interwoven strands in਀瀀爀漀最爀攀猀猀椀瘀攀  戀椀戀氀椀挀愀氀  爀攀瘀攀氀愀琀椀漀渀  爀攀最愀爀搀椀渀最  琀栀攀  昀甀渀挀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ  琀栀攀  挀栀愀爀愀挀琀攀爀Ⰰ  愀渀搀  琀栀攀  渀愀琀甀爀攀  漀昀  琀栀椀猀
Messiah who would come and deliver His people, Israel. In a sense, for Christ to be the Messiah,਀䠀攀 栀愀搀 琀漀 戀攀 琀栀攀 匀栀攀瀀栀攀爀搀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䬀椀渀最Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䰀愀洀戀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 匀甀昀昀攀爀椀渀最 匀攀爀瘀愀渀琀Ⰰ 愀氀氀 漀昀 眀栀椀挀栀 眀攀爀攀
prophesied in Isaiah. The different strands come together in a marvelous way. In fact, one of the਀攀砀琀爀愀漀爀搀椀渀愀爀礀 攀瘀椀搀攀渀挀攀猀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 搀椀瘀椀渀攀 椀渀猀瀀椀爀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䈀椀戀氀攀 椀猀 琀栀攀 眀愀礀 椀渀 眀栀椀挀栀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 猀琀爀愀渀搀猀
of  messianic  expectations  set  forth  in  the  Old  Testament  converged  and  were  fulfilled  in  one਀瀀攀爀猀漀渀 椀渀 愀 搀爀愀洀愀琀椀挀 眀愀礀⸀ 䤀渀 䨀漀栀渀ᤀ猠 瘀椀猀椀漀渀 椀渀 刀攀瘀攀氀愀琀椀漀渀 㔀Ⰰ 䠀攀 眀愀猀 氀攀搀 琀漀 攀砀瀀攀挀琀 愀 氀椀漀渀 ⠀瘀⸀ 㔀⤀Ⰰ 戀甀琀
He saw a lamb (v. 6). Jesus fulfilled both. He is the Lion of Judah—the new King of Israel—also਀琀栀攀 䰀愀洀戀Ⰰ 眀栀漀 眀愀猀 猀氀愀椀渀 漀渀 戀攀栀愀氀昀 漀昀 䠀椀猀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀⸀
Lord਀吀栀攀 猀攀挀漀渀搀 洀漀猀琀 昀爀攀焀甀攀渀琀氀礀 甀猀攀搀 琀椀琀氀攀 昀漀爀 䨀攀猀甀猀 椀渀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 椀猀 䰀漀爀搀⸀ 吀栀椀猀 琀椀琀氀攀 昀漀爀洀攀搀
the earliest creed of the Christian community: Iēsous ho kurios, “Jesus is Lord.” This confession਀眀愀猀 愀琀 琀栀攀 挀攀渀琀攀爀 漀昀 琀栀攀 挀漀渀昀氀椀挀琀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 攀愀爀氀礀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 刀漀洀愀渀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀椀攀猀⸀
Roman citizens were required to recite publicly the words Kaiser kurios, “Caesar is lord.” The਀攀愀爀氀礀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀椀愀渀猀 眀攀爀攀 搀攀攀瀀氀礀 挀漀洀洀椀琀琀攀搀 琀漀 琀栀攀 洀愀渀搀愀琀攀 琀栀攀礀 栀愀搀 爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀搀 昀爀漀洀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 愀渀搀 昀爀漀洀
the Apostles to be obedient to the civil magistrate; they were careful to pay their taxes and obey਀琀栀攀 氀愀眀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 猀琀愀琀攀⸀ 䈀甀琀 漀渀攀 琀栀椀渀最 琀栀攀礀 眀漀甀氀搀 渀漀琀 搀漀 眀愀猀 愀猀挀爀椀戀攀 琀漀 䌀愀攀猀愀爀 琀栀攀 栀漀渀漀爀 琀栀愀琀 眀攀渀琀
with the term lord.਀吀栀攀 琀攀爀洀 氀漀爀搀 椀猀 渀漀琀 愀氀眀愀礀猀 甀猀攀搀 椀渀 愀 洀愀樀攀猀琀椀挀 眀愀礀 椀渀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀⸀ 䤀渀 昀愀挀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀爀攀 愀爀攀
three distinct meanings of the Greek word kurios.਀䘀椀爀猀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 眀漀爀搀 欀甀爀椀漀猀 昀甀渀挀琀椀漀渀攀搀 愀猀 愀 猀椀洀瀀氀攀Ⰰ 瀀漀氀椀琀攀 昀漀爀洀 漀昀 愀搀搀爀攀猀猀Ⰰ 猀椀洀椀氀愀爀 琀漀 琀栀攀 䔀渀最氀椀猀栀
word sir. When we read the New Testament and observe people meeting Jesus for the first time਀愀渀搀  愀搀搀爀攀猀猀椀渀最  䠀椀洀  愀猀  ᰀ䰠漀爀搀Ⰰᴀ† 眀攀  洀甀猀琀  渀漀琀  椀洀洀攀搀椀愀琀攀氀礀  挀漀渀挀氀甀搀攀  琀栀愀琀  琀栀攀礀  栀愀搀  愀  搀攀攀瀀
understanding  of  the  full  measure  of  the  majesty  of  Christ.  They  might  simply  have  been਀愀搀搀爀攀猀猀椀渀最 䠀椀洀 椀渀 愀 瀀漀氀椀琀攀 眀愀礀⸀ 伀昀 挀漀甀爀猀攀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 眀漀爀搀 猀椀爀Ⰰ 攀瘀攀渀 椀渀 琀栀攀 䔀渀最氀椀猀栀 氀愀渀最甀愀最攀Ⰰ 挀愀渀 栀愀瘀攀 愀
more exalted meaning, such as in England, when a man is knighted and becomes, for instance,਀匀椀爀 圀椀渀猀琀漀渀 䌀栀甀爀挀栀椀氀氀 漀爀 匀椀爀 䰀愀甀爀攀渀挀攀 伀氀椀瘀椀攀爀⸀
The  second  way  in  which  the  term  kurios  is  used  in  the  New  Testament  is  with  specific਀爀攀昀攀爀攀渀挀攀  琀漀  愀  猀氀愀瘀攀  漀眀渀攀爀Ⰰ  愀  眀攀愀氀琀栀礀  椀渀搀椀瘀椀搀甀愀氀  眀栀漀  栀愀搀  攀渀漀甀最栀  洀漀渀攀礀  琀漀  瀀甀爀挀栀愀猀攀
bondservants. The bondservant or slave was a doulos, and one could not be a doulos unless he਀戀攀氀漀渀最攀搀 琀漀 愀 欀甀爀椀漀猀Ⰰ 愀 氀漀爀搀⸀ 吀栀甀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 琀攀爀洀 氀漀爀搀 眀愀猀 甀猀攀搀 琀漀 爀攀昀攀爀 琀漀 漀渀攀 眀栀漀 漀眀渀攀搀 猀氀愀瘀攀猀⸀ 吀栀攀
Apostle Paul made frequent use of the title in this manner, often describing himself as a doulos਀漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 愀渀搀 搀椀爀攀挀琀椀渀最 戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀爀猀 琀漀 琀栀椀渀欀 漀昀 琀栀攀洀猀攀氀瘀攀猀 椀渀 琀栀愀琀 氀椀最栀琀㨀 ᰀ夠漀甀 眀攀爀攀 戀漀甀最栀琀
with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23). When we confess that Jesus is Lord, we understand that Christ਀瀀甀爀挀栀愀猀攀搀 甀猀 戀礀 琀栀攀 愀琀漀渀攀洀攀渀琀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀爀攀昀漀爀攀 漀眀渀猀 甀猀⸀ 圀攀 愀爀攀 䠀椀猀 瀀漀猀猀攀猀猀椀漀渀⸀
The third and highest use of the term kurios in the New Testament is the imperial use, which਀䌀愀攀猀愀爀 猀漀甀最栀琀 琀漀 愀爀爀漀最愀琀攀 琀漀 栀椀洀猀攀氀昀Ⰰ 琀栀攀爀攀戀礀 挀愀甀猀椀渀最 最爀攀愀琀 琀爀漀甀戀氀攀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀椀愀渀猀⸀ 伀昀 挀漀甀爀猀攀Ⰰ
someone can verbalize the title in a false way, feigning the imperial use, which is why Jesus said,਀ᰀ吠栀椀猀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀 栀漀渀漀爀猀 洀攀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀椀爀 氀椀瀀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 琀栀攀椀爀 栀攀愀爀琀 椀猀 昀愀爀 昀爀漀洀 洀攀ᴀ†⠀䴀愀琀琀⸀ ㄀㔀㨀㠀⤀⸀ 䠀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 琀栀攀一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 琀攀氀氀猀 甀猀Ⰰ ᰀ丠漀 漀渀攀 挀愀渀 猀愀礀 ᠀䨠攀猀甀猀 椀猀 䰀漀爀搀ᤀ†攀砀挀攀瀀琀 椀渀 琀栀攀 䠀漀氀礀 匀瀀椀爀椀琀ᴀ†⠀㄀ 䌀漀爀⸀ ㄀㈀㨀㌀⤀⸀
This almost seems to contradict what Jesus said at the end of the Sermon on the Mount:਀一漀琀 攀瘀攀爀礀漀渀攀 眀栀漀 猀愀礀猀 琀漀 洀攀Ⰰ ᰀ䰠漀爀搀Ⰰ 䰀漀爀搀Ⰰᴀ†眀椀氀氀 攀渀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 欀椀渀最搀漀洀 漀昀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 琀栀攀
one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me,਀ᰀ䰠漀爀搀Ⰰ 䰀漀爀搀Ⰰ 搀椀搀 眀攀 渀漀琀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀猀礀 椀渀 礀漀甀爀 渀愀洀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 挀愀猀琀 漀甀琀 搀攀洀漀渀猀 椀渀 礀漀甀爀 渀愀洀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀
do many mighty works in your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew਀礀漀甀㬀 搀攀瀀愀爀琀 昀爀漀洀 洀攀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 眀漀爀欀攀爀猀 漀昀 氀愀眀氀攀猀猀渀攀猀猀⸀ᴀ†⠀䴀愀琀琀⸀ 㜀㨀㈀㄀ጀ㈠㌀⤀
So why does Scripture say no man can call Jesus “Lord” except by the Holy Spirit? Some਀猀愀礀 琀栀攀 猀琀愀琀攀洀攀渀琀 椀猀 攀氀氀椀瀀琀椀挀愀氀㬀 椀渀 漀琀栀攀爀 眀漀爀搀猀Ⰰ 眀栀愀琀 椀猀 漀洀椀琀琀攀搀 愀渀搀 洀甀猀琀 戀攀 椀渀猀攀爀琀攀搀 椀猀 琀栀愀琀 渀漀 漀渀攀
can sincerely call Jesus “Lord” unless he has been given the ability to do so by the Holy Spirit.਀伀琀栀攀爀猀 戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀 椀琀 洀椀最栀琀 栀愀瘀攀 爀攀昀攀爀攀渀挀攀 琀漀 琀栀攀 瀀攀爀猀攀挀甀琀椀漀渀 猀漀洀攀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀搀 昀漀爀 搀攀挀氀愀爀椀渀最 瀀甀戀氀椀挀氀礀
their faith in the lordship of Christ.਀䤀渀 愀渀礀 挀愀猀攀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 爀攀愀氀 猀椀最渀椀昀椀挀愀渀挀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 琀椀琀氀攀 䰀漀爀搀 椀猀 昀漀甀渀搀 椀渀 眀栀愀琀 椀琀 琀爀愀渀猀氀愀琀攀猀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀
Testament. Just as Christ has many titles in the New Testament, so God has many titles in the਀伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀⸀ 䠀椀猀 渀愀洀攀 椀渀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 椀猀 夀愀栀眀攀栀Ⰰ 眀栀椀挀栀 椀猀 琀爀愀渀猀氀愀琀攀搀 愀猀 ᰀ䰠漀爀搀ᴀ†愀渀搀
usually  indicated  in  Scripture  by  small  capital  letters—“Lord.”  When  we  see  “Lord”  without਀琀栀漀猀攀  猀洀愀氀氀  挀愀瀀椀琀愀氀  氀攀琀琀攀爀猀Ⰰ  椀琀  椀猀  琀爀愀渀猀氀愀琀椀渀最  愀  搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀  䠀攀戀爀攀眀  眀漀爀搀Ⰰ  䄀搀漀渀愀椀Ⰰ  眀栀椀挀栀  眀愀猀  琀栀攀
highest title used by the Hebrew people for God in the Old Testament. The term Adonai has to਀搀漀 眀椀琀栀 䜀漀搀ᤀ猠 愀戀猀漀氀甀琀攀 猀漀瘀攀爀攀椀最渀琀礀 漀瘀攀爀 愀氀氀 漀昀 䠀椀猀 挀爀攀愀琀椀漀渀⸀ 䄀渀 攀砀愀洀瀀氀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀猀攀 琀眀漀 琀攀爀洀猀 挀愀渀
be found in Psalm 8: “O Lord [Yahweh], our Lord [Adonai], how majestic is your name in all the਀攀愀爀琀栀℀ 夀漀甀 栀愀瘀攀 猀攀琀 礀漀甀爀 最氀漀爀礀 愀戀漀瘀攀 琀栀攀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀猀ᴀ†⠀倀猀⸀ 㠀㨀㄀⤀⸀ 䤀渀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ 眀攀 爀攀愀搀
Paul’s hymn:਀䠀愀瘀攀 琀栀椀猀 洀椀渀搀 愀洀漀渀最 礀漀甀爀猀攀氀瘀攀猀Ⰰ 眀栀椀挀栀 椀猀 礀漀甀爀猀 椀渀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ 眀栀漀Ⰰ 琀栀漀甀最栀 栀攀 眀愀猀
in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied਀栀椀洀猀攀氀昀Ⰰ 戀礀 琀愀欀椀渀最 琀栀攀 昀漀爀洀 漀昀 愀 猀攀爀瘀愀渀琀Ⰰ 戀攀椀渀最 戀漀爀渀 椀渀 琀栀攀 氀椀欀攀渀攀猀猀 漀昀 洀攀渀⸀ 䄀渀搀 戀攀椀渀最
found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,਀攀瘀攀渀 搀攀愀琀栀 漀渀 愀 挀爀漀猀猀⸀ 吀栀攀爀攀昀漀爀攀 䜀漀搀 栀愀猀 栀椀最栀氀礀 攀砀愀氀琀攀搀 栀椀洀 愀渀搀 戀攀猀琀漀眀攀搀 漀渀 栀椀洀 琀栀攀
name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in਀栀攀愀瘀攀渀 愀渀搀 漀渀 攀愀爀琀栀 愀渀搀 甀渀搀攀爀 琀栀攀 攀愀爀琀栀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 攀瘀攀爀礀 琀漀渀最甀攀 挀漀渀昀攀猀猀 琀栀愀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀
Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:5–11)਀吀栀攀 渀愀洀攀 愀戀漀瘀攀 攀瘀攀爀礀 渀愀洀攀 椀猀 愀挀琀甀愀氀氀礀 琀栀攀 琀椀琀氀攀 琀栀愀琀 䜀漀搀 最椀瘀攀猀 琀漀 䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 琀椀琀氀攀 愀戀漀瘀攀 攀瘀攀爀礀
title—Lord. He is Lord, Kurios; He is Adonai to the glory of God the Father 1 .਀匀漀渀 漀昀 䴀愀渀
The third most frequently used title for Jesus in the New Testament is Son of Man. Though it਀爀愀渀欀猀 琀栀椀爀搀 椀渀 昀爀攀焀甀攀渀挀礀 漀昀 甀猀愀最攀 椀渀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 愀猀 愀 眀栀漀氀攀Ⰰ 椀琀 椀猀 昀愀爀 愀渀搀 愀眀愀礀 琀栀攀 瀀爀椀洀愀爀礀
title that Jesus used for Himself. That is significant. Of the more than eighty instances of this title਀椀渀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ 愀氀氀 戀甀琀 琀栀爀攀攀 挀漀洀攀 昀爀漀洀 䨀攀猀甀猀 䠀椀洀猀攀氀昀⸀ 吀栀椀猀 昀愀挀琀 爀攀昀甀琀攀猀 琀栀攀 栀椀最栀攀爀 挀爀椀琀椀挀猀Ⰰ眀栀漀 猀愀礀 琀栀愀琀 洀甀挀栀 漀昀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 瀀椀挀琀甀爀攀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀 眀愀猀 洀愀渀甀昀愀挀琀甀爀攀搀 戀礀 䠀椀猀 挀漀洀瀀愀渀椀漀渀猀⸀
If Jesus’ companions had done that, we would expect them to have ascribed to Jesus their own਀昀愀瘀漀爀椀琀攀 搀攀猀椀最渀愀琀椀漀渀猀 爀愀琀栀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ⸠
By calling Himself “Son of Man” so frequently, Jesus was saying, “Here is how I identify਀洀礀猀攀氀昀⸀ᴀ†匀漀洀攀 猀攀攀 椀渀 琀栀攀 搀攀猀椀最渀愀琀椀漀渀 愀渀 攀砀瀀爀攀猀猀椀漀渀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†栀甀洀椀氀椀琀礀᐀琠栀愀琀 䠀攀 猀栀甀渀渀攀搀 洀漀爀攀
exalted titles and selected this one as a humble means of identifying with lowly humanity. The਀琀椀琀氀攀  愀瀀瀀攀愀爀猀  椀渀  琀栀攀  戀漀漀欀  漀昀  䔀稀攀欀椀攀氀Ⰰ  眀栀攀爀攀  䜀漀搀  昀爀攀焀甀攀渀琀氀礀  甀猀攀猀  椀琀  椀渀  愀搀搀爀攀猀猀椀渀最  琀栀攀  琀椀琀甀氀愀爀
prophet. In this case, the title does seem to emphasize the prophet’s humanity and frailty, and to਀猀漀洀攀  搀攀最爀攀攀  愀氀猀漀  琀栀攀  琀椀琀氀攀  爀攀昀攀爀猀  琀漀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀ᤀ猠  戀攀挀漀洀椀渀最  氀椀欀攀  甀猀  椀渀  漀甀爀  栀甀洀愀渀椀琀礀⸀  䠀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ  琀栀攀
larger context for Jesus’ use of the title draws instead on a prophecy in the book of Daniel.਀䤀渀 䐀愀渀椀攀氀ᤀ猠 瘀椀猀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 椀渀渀攀爀 挀栀愀洀戀攀爀猀 漀昀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀Ⰰ 䜀漀搀 愀瀀瀀攀愀爀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 琀栀爀漀渀攀 漀昀 樀甀搀最洀攀渀琀
as the Ancient of Days, and He welcomes into His presence One who is like “a son of man,” who਀挀漀洀攀猀 琀漀 䠀椀洀 漀渀 挀氀漀甀搀猀 漀昀 最氀漀爀礀 愀渀搀 椀猀 最椀瘀攀渀 琀栀攀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀 琀漀 樀甀搀最攀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀 ⠀䐀愀渀⸀ 㜀㨀㄀㌀ጀㄠ㐀⤀⸀ 䤀渀
the New Testament usage of this title, the Son of Man is a heavenly person who descends to਀攀愀爀琀栀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 䠀攀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀猀 渀漀琀栀椀渀最 氀攀猀猀 琀栀愀渀 琀栀攀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀 漀昀 䜀漀搀⸀ 䠀攀 挀漀洀攀猀 琀漀 戀爀椀渀最 樀甀搀最洀攀渀琀 琀漀
the world because He embodies the divine visitation, the day of the Lord. Therefore, this is an਀攀砀愀氀琀攀搀 琀椀琀氀攀 最椀瘀攀渀 甀渀椀焀甀攀氀礀 琀漀 䨀攀猀甀猀 椀渀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀⸀
That the Son of Man was a figure of splendor and power cannot be missed. His deity is seen਀渀漀琀 漀渀氀礀 椀渀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 瀀漀爀琀爀愀椀琀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 椀渀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀椀渀最 愀猀 眀攀氀氀⸀ 䨀攀猀甀猀 氀椀渀欀攀搀 琀栀攀 匀漀渀
of Man with creation by saying, “The Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28). To਀挀氀愀椀洀 氀漀爀搀猀栀椀瀀 漀瘀攀爀 琀栀攀 匀愀戀戀愀琀栀 椀猀 琀漀 挀氀愀椀洀 氀漀爀搀猀栀椀瀀 漀瘀攀爀 挀爀攀愀琀椀漀渀⸀ 吀栀攀 匀愀戀戀愀琀栀 眀愀猀 渀漀琀 洀攀爀攀氀礀 愀
piece of Sinaitic legislation but a creation ordinance given by the Lord of creation. Jesus also਀猀愀椀搀Ⰰ ᰀ吠栀愀琀 礀漀甀 洀愀礀 欀渀漀眀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 匀漀渀 漀昀 䴀愀渀 栀愀猀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀 漀渀 攀愀爀琀栀 琀漀 昀漀爀最椀瘀攀 猀椀渀猀☀ᴠ†⠀䰀甀欀攀
5:24). Here, Jesus claimed an authority that, to the Jew, was a prerogative of God alone. The਀䨀攀眀猀 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 洀椀猀猀 琀栀攀 椀渀昀攀爀攀渀挀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀猀攀 挀氀愀椀洀猀⸀ 吀栀攀礀 猀漀甀最栀琀 琀漀 欀椀氀氀 䨀攀猀甀猀 瀀爀攀挀椀猀攀氀礀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 䠀椀猀
claims to deity came through loud and clear. The Son of Man came from heaven to judge the਀眀漀爀氀搀⸀ 䠀攀 眀漀甀氀搀 猀攀瀀愀爀愀琀攀 琀栀攀 猀栀攀攀瀀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 最漀愀琀猀㬀 䠀攀 眀漀甀氀搀 挀漀洀攀 椀渀 挀氀漀甀搀猀 漀昀 最氀漀爀礀 愀琀 琀栀攀 攀渀搀
of the age.਀吀栀攀 匀漀渀 漀昀 䜀漀搀
The New Testament recounts few instances when God was heard speaking from heaven. When਀䠀攀 搀椀搀Ⰰ 椀琀 眀愀猀 渀漀爀洀愀氀氀礀 琀漀 愀渀渀漀甀渀挀攀 猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最 猀琀愀爀琀氀椀渀最⸀ 吀眀漀 猀甀挀栀 漀挀挀愀猀椀漀渀猀 琀攀氀氀 甀猀 琀栀愀琀 䜀漀搀
was zealous to announce that Jesus Christ is His Son. At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened and਀䜀漀搀ᤀ猠 瘀漀椀挀攀 眀愀猀 栀攀愀爀搀Ⰰ 猀愀礀椀渀最Ⰰ ᰀ吠栀椀猀 椀猀 洀礀 戀攀氀漀瘀攀搀 匀漀渀Ⰰ 眀椀琀栀 眀栀漀洀 䤀 愀洀 眀攀氀氀 瀀氀攀愀猀攀搀ᴀ†⠀䴀愀琀琀⸀
3:17).  And  on  the  Mount  of  Transfiguration,  the  Father  declared  from  heaven,  “This  is  my਀戀攀氀漀瘀攀搀 匀漀渀㬀 氀椀猀琀攀渀 琀漀 栀椀洀ᴀ†⠀䴀愀爀欀 㤀㨀㜀⤀⸀ 吀栀甀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 琀椀琀氀攀 挀漀渀昀攀爀爀攀搀 昀爀漀洀 漀渀 栀椀最栀 琀漀 䨀攀猀甀猀 椀猀 匀漀渀 漀昀
God.਀吀栀椀猀 琀椀琀氀攀 栀愀猀 攀渀最攀渀搀攀爀攀搀 愀 最爀攀愀琀 搀攀愀氀 漀昀 挀漀渀琀爀漀瘀攀爀猀礀 椀渀 琀栀攀 栀椀猀琀漀爀礀 漀昀 琀栀攀 挀栀甀爀挀栀Ⰰ 瀀愀爀琀椀挀甀氀愀爀氀礀
in the fourth century, when the Arian movement, led by Arius, denied the Trinity by arguing that਀䨀攀猀甀猀 眀愀猀 愀 挀爀攀愀琀攀搀 戀攀椀渀最⸀ 刀攀昀攀爀攀渀挀攀猀 琀漀 䨀攀猀甀猀 愀猀 ᰀ琠栀攀 昀椀爀猀琀戀漀爀渀 漀昀 愀氀氀 挀爀攀愀琀椀漀渀ᴀ†⠀䌀漀氀⸀ ㄀㨀㄀㔀⤀ 愀渀搀
“the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14 KJV) led Arius to argue that Jesus had a beginning਀椀渀 琀椀洀攀 愀渀搀 眀愀猀 琀栀甀猀 愀 挀爀攀愀琀甀爀攀⸀ 䤀渀 䄀爀椀甀猀ᤀ†洀椀渀搀Ⰰ 椀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀 眀愀猀 戀攀最漀琀琀攀渀Ⰰ 椀琀 挀漀甀氀搀 漀渀氀礀 洀攀愀渀 琀栀愀琀 䠀攀
was not eternal, and if He was not eternal, then He was a creature. Thus, to ascribe deity to Jesuswas to be guilty of blasphemy, because it involved the idolatrous worship of a created being. The਀猀愀洀攀  挀漀渀琀爀漀瘀攀爀猀礀  攀砀椀猀琀猀  琀漀搀愀礀  戀攀琀眀攀攀渀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀椀愀渀  戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀爀猀  愀渀搀  琀栀攀  䴀漀爀洀漀渀猀  愀渀搀  䨀攀栀漀瘀愀栀ᤀ猠
Witnesses, both of whom acknowledge a lofty view of Jesus over angels and other creatures but਀搀攀渀礀 䠀椀猀 昀甀氀氀 搀攀椀琀礀⸀
This controversy precipitated the great ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325, which drafted਀琀栀攀  一椀挀攀渀攀  䌀爀攀攀搀⸀  吀栀椀猀  挀爀攀攀搀  瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀猀  愀渀  椀渀琀攀爀攀猀琀椀渀最  愀渀猀眀攀爀  琀漀  琀栀攀  挀栀愀爀最攀猀  漀昀  䄀爀椀愀渀椀猀洀⸀  吀栀攀
answer  is  found  in  the  statement  that  Jesus  is  “begotten,  not  made.”  To  the  Greek,  such  a਀猀琀愀琀攀洀攀渀琀 眀愀猀 愀 挀漀渀琀爀愀搀椀挀琀椀漀渀 椀渀 琀攀爀洀猀⸀ 䤀渀 渀漀爀洀愀氀 琀攀爀洀猀Ⰰ 戀攀最漀琀琀攀渀 椀洀瀀氀椀攀猀 愀 戀攀最椀渀渀椀渀最Ⰰ 戀甀琀 眀栀攀渀
applied to Jesus, there is a uniqueness to the way in which He was begotten that separates Him਀昀爀漀洀 愀氀氀 漀琀栀攀爀 挀爀攀愀琀甀爀攀猀⸀ 䨀攀猀甀猀 椀猀 挀愀氀氀攀搀 琀栀攀 洀漀渀漀最攀渀ጀ猁Ⰰ 琀栀攀 ᰀ漠渀氀礀 戀攀最漀琀琀攀渀Ⰰᴀ†漀昀 琀栀攀 䘀愀琀栀攀爀⸀ 吀栀攀爀攀
is a sense in which Jesus and Jesus alone is begotten of the Father, and begotten eternally, such਀琀栀愀琀  䠀攀  栀愀猀  渀漀  戀攀最椀渀渀椀渀最⸀  吀栀椀猀  椀猀  眀栀愀琀  琀栀攀  挀栀甀爀挀栀  眀愀猀  最攀琀琀椀渀最  愀琀  眀栀攀渀  椀琀  猀瀀漀欀攀  漀昀  䨀攀猀甀猀  愀猀
eternally begotten—that He was begotten, not made.਀吀栀椀猀 甀渀椀焀甀攀渀攀猀猀 椀猀 昀漀甀渀搀 渀漀琀 漀渀氀礀 椀渀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†攀琀攀爀渀愀氀 挀栀愀爀愀挀琀攀爀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 愀氀猀漀 椀渀 琀栀攀 昀愀挀琀 琀栀愀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ 
sonship  carries  with  it  a  description  of  intimacy  with  the  Father.  The  primary  significance  of਀猀漀渀猀栀椀瀀 椀渀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 椀猀 椀琀猀 昀椀最甀爀愀琀椀瘀攀 爀攀昀攀爀攀渀挀攀 琀漀 漀戀攀搀椀攀渀挀攀㬀 琀栀甀猀Ⰰ 琀漀 戀攀 愀 猀漀渀 漀昀 䜀漀搀
biblically is to be one who is in a unique relationship of obedience to the will of God. Likewise,਀琀栀攀 洀漀琀椀昀 漀昀 琀栀攀 昀椀爀猀琀戀漀爀渀 栀愀猀 洀漀爀攀 琀漀 搀漀 眀椀琀栀 瀀爀攀攀洀椀渀攀渀挀攀 琀栀愀渀 眀椀琀栀 戀椀漀氀漀最礀⸀ 吀栀攀 琀攀爀洀 戀攀最漀琀琀攀渀
is a Greek word filled with Jewish content. Nicea was not flirting with irrationality but was being਀昀愀椀琀栀昀甀氀 琀漀 匀挀爀椀瀀琀甀爀攀 戀礀 甀猀椀渀最 琀栀攀 昀漀爀洀甀氀愀 ᰀ戠攀最漀琀琀攀渀Ⰰ 渀漀琀 洀愀搀攀⸀ᴀ 
Every name and title given to Jesus in the New Testament has significance. Each one reveals਀猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最 琀漀 甀猀 愀戀漀甀琀 眀栀漀 䠀攀 椀猀 愀渀搀 眀栀愀琀 䠀攀 栀愀猀 搀漀渀攀⸀ 䠀椀猀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 愀渀搀 䠀椀猀 眀漀爀欀 洀攀攀琀 椀渀 琀栀攀
drama of life.Notes਀㄀⸀ 䘀漀爀 愀 昀甀氀氀攀爀 琀爀攀愀琀洀攀渀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 瘀椀攀眀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ 猀攀攀 刀⸀䌀⸀ 匀瀀爀漀甀氀Ⰰ 吀栀攀 䴀愀樀攀猀琀礀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀Ⰰ 愀甀搀椀漀 琀攀愀挀栀椀渀最 猀攀爀椀攀猀
(Sanford, Fla.: Ligonier Ministries, 1985, 1991).਀
Chapter Four਀吀栀攀 匀琀愀琀攀猀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀
਀吀栀爀漀甀最栀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 䈀椀戀氀攀Ⰰ 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀 猀攀攀渀 椀渀 瘀愀爀椀漀甀猀 猀琀愀琀攀猀㬀 琀栀愀琀 椀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀爀攀 眀攀爀攀 瘀愀爀椀漀甀猀 爀漀氀攀猀 椀渀 眀栀椀挀栀
He acted at various times. However, discussions of the states of Christ do not begin with His਀戀椀爀琀栀 愀琀 䈀攀琀栀氀攀栀攀洀㬀 椀渀猀琀攀愀搀Ⰰ 眀攀 洀甀猀琀 猀琀愀爀琀 眀椀琀栀 䠀椀猀 瀀爀攀ⴀ椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀攀 猀琀愀琀攀⸀ 吀栀攀 䄀瀀漀猀琀氀攀 䨀漀栀渀 眀爀漀琀攀㨀
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….਀䄀渀搀 琀栀攀 圀漀爀搀 戀攀挀愀洀攀 昀氀攀猀栀 愀渀搀 搀眀攀氀琀 愀洀漀渀最 甀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 眀攀 栀愀瘀攀 猀攀攀渀 栀椀猀 最氀漀爀礀Ⰰ 最氀漀爀礀 愀猀
of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14)਀吀栀攀 愀昀昀椀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 眀愀猀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀椀猀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀᐀眠栀漀 愀瀀瀀攀愀爀攀搀 漀渀 琀栀攀 瀀氀愀渀攀 漀昀 栀椀猀琀漀爀礀 椀渀 猀瀀愀挀攀 愀渀搀 琀椀洀攀
—existed before His conception and birth, and that His divine nature is eternal with the Father.਀圀攀 栀愀瘀攀 椀渀 䨀攀猀甀猀 渀漀琀 猀椀洀瀀氀礀 琀栀攀 戀椀爀琀栀 漀昀 愀 戀愀戀礀 戀甀琀 琀栀攀 椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 猀攀挀漀渀搀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 漀昀
the Trinity.਀伀渀 洀愀渀礀 漀挀挀愀猀椀漀渀猀 搀甀爀椀渀最 䠀椀猀 攀愀爀琀栀氀礀 洀椀渀椀猀琀爀礀Ⰰ 䨀攀猀甀猀 洀愀搀攀 爀攀昀攀爀攀渀挀攀 琀漀 䠀椀猀 瀀爀攀瘀椀漀甀猀 猀琀愀琀攀⸀
For example:਀吀爀甀氀礀Ⰰ 琀爀甀氀礀Ⰰ 䤀 猀愀礀 琀漀 礀漀甀Ⰰ 戀攀昀漀爀攀 䄀戀爀愀栀愀洀 眀愀猀Ⰰ 䤀 愀洀⸀ ⠀䨀漀栀渀 㠀㨀㔀㠀⤀
And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you਀戀攀昀漀爀攀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀 攀砀椀猀琀攀搀⸀ ⠀䨀漀栀渀 ㄀㜀㨀㔀⤀
Jesus  was  not  incarnate  before  His  birth  in  Bethlehem.  Many  wonder,  therefore,  whether਀䌀栀爀椀猀琀  挀愀渀  戀攀  昀漀甀渀搀  椀渀  琀栀攀  伀氀搀  吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀⸀  匀漀洀攀  氀漀漀欀  愀琀  琀栀攀  挀漀洀洀愀渀搀攀爀  漀昀  琀栀攀  䰀漀爀搀ᤀ猠  愀爀洀礀
whom  Joshua  encountered  during  his  military  campaign  (Josh.  5:13–15)  or  at  the  mysterious਀昀椀最甀爀攀 漀昀 䴀攀氀挀栀椀稀攀搀攀欀 琀漀 眀栀漀洀 䄀戀爀愀洀 瀀愀椀搀 琀椀琀栀攀猀 愀渀搀 昀爀漀洀 眀栀漀洀 栀攀 爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀搀 愀 戀氀攀猀猀椀渀最 ⠀䜀攀渀⸀
14:18–20) and speculate that these mysterious figures were really Christ in disguise, as it were.਀䠀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 攀瘀攀渀 椀昀 琀栀攀礀 眀攀爀攀Ⰰ 琀栀攀礀 眀攀爀攀 渀漀琀 瀀爀椀漀爀 椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀椀漀渀猀⸀ 吀栀漀猀攀 眀栀漀 戀攀氀椀攀瘀攀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀猀攀 伀氀搀
Testament  figures  were  the  pre-incarnate  Christ  call  those  appearances  “Christophanies.”  A“theophany”  is  a  visible  manifestation  of  the  invisible  God;  a  Christophany,  therefore,  is  a਀洀愀渀椀昀攀猀琀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 猀攀挀漀渀搀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 吀爀椀渀椀琀礀 瀀爀椀漀爀 琀漀 䠀椀猀 戀椀爀琀栀⸀
Jesus Incarnate਀圀攀 洀漀瘀攀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 瀀爀攀ⴀ椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀椀漀渀愀氀 猀琀愀琀攀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀 琀漀 琀栀攀 猀琀愀琀攀 漀昀 䠀椀猀 氀椀昀攀 漀渀 攀愀爀琀栀⸀ 吀栀攀 䄀瀀漀猀琀氀攀猀ᤀ 
Creed highlights the earthly life of Christ:਀䠀攀 眀愀猀 挀漀渀挀攀椀瘀攀搀 戀礀 琀栀攀 䠀漀氀礀 䜀栀漀猀琀Ⰰ 戀漀爀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 嘀椀爀最椀渀 䴀愀爀礀Ⰰ 猀甀昀昀攀爀攀搀 甀渀搀攀爀 倀漀渀琀椀甀猀
Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose਀愀最愀椀渀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 搀攀愀搀⸀ 䠀攀 愀猀挀攀渀搀攀搀 椀渀琀漀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀 愀渀搀 猀椀琀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀 漀昀  䜀漀搀  琀栀攀
Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.਀吀栀攀  爀攀昀攀爀攀渀挀攀猀  椀渀  琀栀攀  䄀瀀漀猀琀氀攀猀ᤀ† 䌀爀攀攀搀  愀爀攀  琀漀  琀栀攀  戀椀爀琀栀  漀昀  䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ  琀栀攀  搀攀愀琀栀  漀昀  䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ  琀栀攀
resurrection of Jesus, the ascension of Jesus, the session of Jesus, and the return of Jesus. These਀搀攀猀挀爀椀戀攀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀 愀猀瀀攀挀琀猀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†攀砀椀猀琀攀渀挀攀 搀甀爀椀渀最 愀渀搀 愀昀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀椀漀渀⸀
Theologians typically speak of the life of Jesus as following a progression from humiliation਀琀漀 攀砀愀氀琀愀琀椀漀渀⸀ 䤀渀 琀栀攀 椀渀挀愀爀渀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 洀漀猀琀 瀀愀爀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 爀攀昀甀氀最攀渀琀Ⰰ 搀愀稀稀氀椀渀最 最氀漀爀礀 漀昀 琀栀攀 戀攀椀渀最 漀昀
God was concealed, hidden behind a shroud of Jesus’ humanity. That’s something that Jesus did਀眀椀氀氀椀渀最氀礀Ⰰ  搀漀眀渀瀀氀愀礀椀渀最  䠀椀猀  最氀漀爀礀Ⰰ  栀漀渀漀爀Ⰰ  愀渀搀  搀椀最渀椀琀礀  戀礀  琀愀欀椀渀最  甀瀀漀渀  䠀椀洀猀攀氀昀  琀栀攀  昀漀爀洀  漀昀  愀
servant (Phil. 2:6–7). In theology, we say that Jesus entered into His humiliation: He was born to਀愀 瀀攀愀猀愀渀琀 眀漀洀愀渀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀漀甀琀 䠀椀猀 氀椀昀攀Ⰰ 琀栀攀爀攀 眀愀猀 愀 瀀爀漀最爀攀猀猀椀瘀攀 搀攀攀瀀攀渀椀渀最 漀昀 琀栀椀猀 栀甀洀椀氀椀愀琀椀漀渀
as He moved toward the cross. People rejected Him, and He was mocked, scourged, beaten, and਀昀椀渀愀氀氀礀 挀爀甀挀椀昀椀攀搀⸀ 䄀昀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 栀甀洀椀氀椀愀琀椀漀渀 爀攀愀挀栀攀搀 椀琀猀 搀攀瀀琀栀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀爀攀 眀愀猀 愀渀 攀砀瀀氀漀猀椀漀渀 漀昀 攀砀愀氀琀愀琀椀漀渀
whereby  God  vindicated  Him  with  the  resurrection  and  surrounded  Him  with  glory  at  His਀愀猀挀攀渀猀椀漀渀⸀
It is important to note also that in the midst of His humiliation, glory attended key moments਀漀昀 䠀椀猀 攀愀爀琀栀氀礀 氀椀昀攀⸀ ㄀  䠀攀 栀椀搀 愀渀搀 挀漀渀挀攀愀氀攀搀 䠀椀猀 最氀漀爀礀Ⰰ 猀漀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 渀漀爀洀愀氀 瀀漀爀琀爀愀椀琀 琀栀愀琀 眀攀 猀攀攀 漀昀
Jesus  in  the  Bible  is  one  of  humility  and  of  hiddenness;  but  there  are  moments—powerful਀洀漀洀攀渀琀猀Ⰰ 猀攀渀猀椀琀椀瘀攀 洀漀洀攀渀琀猀Ⰰ 爀椀挀栀 洀漀洀攀渀琀猀᐀猠瀀爀椀渀欀氀攀搀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 琀栀攀 渀愀爀爀愀琀椀瘀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 氀椀昀攀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀
where this veil of humanity simply could not conceal His glory, and the glory bursts out. For਀攀砀愀洀瀀氀攀Ⰰ  搀攀猀瀀椀琀攀  琀栀攀  栀甀洀戀氀攀  挀椀爀挀甀洀猀琀愀渀挀攀猀  漀昀  䠀椀猀  戀椀爀琀栀Ⰰ  琀栀攀  攀瘀攀渀琀  眀愀猀  渀漀琀  眀椀琀栀漀甀琀  琀栀攀
manifestation  of  glory.  Just  outside  the  village  of  Bethlehem,  in  the  fields,  the  glory  of  God਀猀栀漀渀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀爀攀 眀愀猀 琀栀攀 最爀攀愀琀攀猀琀 猀漀甀渀搀ⴀ愀渀搀ⴀ氀椀最栀琀 猀栀漀眀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀 栀愀搀 欀渀漀眀渀 甀瀀 甀渀琀椀氀 琀栀愀琀
point, the appearance of the angel choir (Luke 2:8–14). Even in the visit from the magi, there਀眀愀猀  愀渀  攀氀攀洀攀渀琀  漀昀  最氀漀爀礀  愀猀挀爀椀戀攀搀  琀漀  琀栀椀猀  戀愀戀攀  椀渀  琀栀攀  洀愀渀最攀爀Ⰰ  昀漀爀  琀栀攀  洀愀最椀  氀攀昀琀  洀愀最渀椀昀椀挀攀渀琀
treasures for Him (Matt. 2:1–11).਀䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ† 戀愀瀀琀椀猀洀  愀氀猀漀  眀愀猀  愀渀  愀挀琀  漀昀  栀甀洀椀氀椀愀琀椀漀渀⸀  䤀渀  氀椀最栀琀  漀昀  琀栀攀  一攀眀  吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀ᤀ猠  琀攀愀挀栀椀渀最Ⰰ
Christians today understand baptism to be a sign of cleansing from sin. Yet the New Testament਀琀攀愀挀栀攀猀 琀栀愀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀 眀愀猀 眀椀琀栀漀甀琀 猀椀渀⸀ 圀栀礀 眀漀甀氀搀 琀栀攀 猀椀渀氀攀猀猀 匀漀渀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 挀漀洀攀 昀漀爀眀愀爀搀 愀渀搀 瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀
Himself for baptism when it symbolized a cleansing from sin? He humbled Himself to become਀漀渀攀 眀椀琀栀 䠀椀猀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀Ⰰ 琀漀 愀猀猀甀洀攀 琀栀攀椀爀 漀戀氀椀最愀琀椀漀渀 琀漀 漀戀攀礀 攀瘀攀爀礀 愀猀瀀攀挀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 氀愀眀⸀ 䄀琀 琀栀攀 猀愀洀攀
time, at His baptism the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon Himwhile the Father declared Him “my beloved Son” (Matt. 3:16).਀吀栀攀渀Ⰰ  琀漀眀愀爀搀  琀栀攀  攀渀搀  漀昀  䠀椀猀  攀愀爀琀栀氀礀  洀椀渀椀猀琀爀礀Ⰰ  愀昀琀攀爀  䠀攀  栀愀搀  琀漀氀搀  䠀椀猀  搀椀猀挀椀瀀氀攀猀  愀戀漀甀琀  䠀椀猀
forthcoming torture and execution, we are told:਀䠀攀  眀愀猀  琀爀愀渀猀昀椀最甀爀攀搀  戀攀昀漀爀攀  琀栀攀洀Ⰰ  愀渀搀  栀椀猀  昀愀挀攀  猀栀漀渀攀  氀椀欀攀  琀栀攀  猀甀渀Ⰰ  愀渀搀  栀椀猀  挀氀漀琀栀攀猀
became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking਀眀椀琀栀 栀椀洀⸀ 䄀渀搀 倀攀琀攀爀 猀愀椀搀 琀漀 䨀攀猀甀猀Ⰰ ᰀ䰠漀爀搀Ⰰ 椀琀 椀猀 最漀漀搀 琀栀愀琀 眀攀 愀爀攀 栀攀爀攀⸀ 䤀昀 礀漀甀 眀椀猀栀Ⰰ 䤀 眀椀氀氀
make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still਀猀瀀攀愀欀椀渀最 眀栀攀渀Ⰰ 戀攀栀漀氀搀Ⰰ 愀 戀爀椀最栀琀 挀氀漀甀搀 漀瘀攀爀猀栀愀搀漀眀攀搀 琀栀攀洀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 愀 瘀漀椀挀攀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 挀氀漀甀搀
said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the਀搀椀猀挀椀瀀氀攀猀  栀攀愀爀搀  琀栀椀猀Ⰰ  琀栀攀礀  昀攀氀氀  漀渀  琀栀攀椀爀  昀愀挀攀猀  愀渀搀  眀攀爀攀  琀攀爀爀椀昀椀攀搀⸀  䈀甀琀  䨀攀猀甀猀  挀愀洀攀  愀渀搀
touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they਀猀愀眀 渀漀 漀渀攀 戀甀琀 䨀攀猀甀猀 漀渀氀礀⸀ ⠀䴀愀琀琀⸀ ㄀㜀㨀㈀ጀ㠠⤀
In that rare moment, three intimate disciples of Jesus went with Him to the mountain and, for਀愀 洀漀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀礀 眀攀爀攀 最椀瘀攀渀 愀 最氀椀洀瀀猀攀᐀䜠漀搀 最愀瘀攀 琀栀攀洀 琀栀攀 愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 琀漀 猀攀攀 椀渀琀漀 愀渀漀琀栀攀爀 搀椀洀攀渀猀椀漀渀⸀
The veil was lifted, and it wasn’t an illusion of glory, or a hallucination of glory; they were able਀琀漀  猀攀攀  琀栀攀  爀攀愀氀椀琀礀  琀栀愀琀  栀愀搀  戀攀攀渀  挀漀渀挀攀愀氀攀搀  昀爀漀洀  琀栀攀洀Ⰰ  琀栀攀  甀渀瘀攀椀氀攀搀  最氀漀爀礀  漀昀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀⸀  䤀猀  椀琀  愀渀礀
wonder that when John wrote his gospel years later, he wrote in the prologue, “We have seen his਀最氀漀爀礀ᴀ†⠀䨀漀栀渀 ㄀㨀㄀㐀⤀㼀 倀攀琀攀爀 愀氀猀漀 洀愀搀攀 爀攀昀攀爀攀渀挀攀 琀漀 琀栀攀 琀爀愀渀猀昀椀最甀爀愀琀椀漀渀 椀渀 栀椀猀 眀爀椀琀椀渀最猀㨀 ᰀ圠攀☀†眀攀爀攀
eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the਀瘀漀椀挀攀 眀愀猀 戀漀爀渀攀 琀漀 栀椀洀 戀礀 琀栀攀 洀愀樀攀猀琀椀挀 䜀氀漀爀礀Ⰰ ᠀吠栀椀猀 椀猀 洀礀 戀攀氀漀瘀攀搀 匀漀渀Ⰰ 眀椀琀栀 眀栀漀洀 䤀 愀洀 眀攀氀氀
pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the਀栀漀氀礀  洀漀甀渀琀愀椀渀ᴀ† ⠀㈀  倀攀琀攀爀  ㄀㨀㄀㘀ጀㄠ㠀⤀⸀  䤀渀  琀栀攀  洀椀搀猀琀  漀昀  䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ† 瀀爀漀最爀攀猀猀椀漀渀  昀爀漀洀  栀甀洀椀氀椀愀琀椀漀渀  琀漀
exaltation,  there  was  a  sudden  intervention,  an  abbreviated  intrusion,  where  the  hidden,਀挀漀渀挀攀愀氀攀搀Ⰰ 挀氀漀愀欀攀搀 最氀漀爀礀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 戀甀爀猀琀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 攀礀攀猀 漀昀 䠀椀猀 挀氀漀猀攀 昀爀椀攀渀搀猀 倀攀琀攀爀Ⰰ 䨀愀洀攀猀Ⰰ
and John to see. They never forgot it.਀圀攀 琀攀渀搀 琀漀 琀栀椀渀欀 琀栀愀琀 渀漀 最氀漀爀礀 眀愀猀 攀瘀椀搀攀渀琀 愀琀 琀栀攀 挀爀漀猀猀Ⰰ 眀栀攀爀攀 䨀攀猀甀猀 爀攀愀挀栀攀搀 琀栀攀 搀攀瀀琀栀猀 漀昀
His humiliation. The common conception is that the end of His humiliation, the line between਀栀甀洀椀氀椀愀琀椀漀渀 愀渀搀 攀砀愀氀琀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 琀漀漀欀 瀀氀愀挀攀 愀琀 琀栀攀 爀攀猀甀爀爀攀挀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 䤀 搀漀 渀漀琀 琀栀椀渀欀 琀栀愀琀 椀猀 挀漀爀爀攀挀琀⸀ 䤀昀 眀攀
look, for example, at the prophecy in Isaiah 53 of the Suffering Servant of Israel, we note: “He਀眀愀猀 挀甀琀 漀昀昀 漀甀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 氀愀渀搀 漀昀 琀栀攀 氀椀瘀椀渀最Ⰰ 猀琀爀椀挀欀攀渀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 琀爀愀渀猀最爀攀猀猀椀漀渀 漀昀 洀礀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀⸀ 䄀渀搀 琀栀攀礀
made  his  grave  with  the  wicked  and  with  a  rich  man  in  his  death,  although  he  had  done  no਀瘀椀漀氀攀渀挀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀爀攀 眀愀猀 渀漀 搀攀挀攀椀琀 椀渀 栀椀猀 洀漀甀琀栀ᴀ†⠀瘀瘀⸀ 㠀ጀ㤠⤀⸀
Normally, the Romans tossed the bodies of the victims of crucifixion into the refuse dump਀漀甀琀猀椀搀攀  漀昀  䨀攀爀甀猀愀氀攀洀⸀  吀栀攀  渀愀洀攀  漀昀  琀栀愀琀  最愀爀戀愀最攀  搀甀洀瀀  眀愀猀  䜀攀栀攀渀渀愀Ⰰ  眀栀椀挀栀  氀愀琀攀爀  戀攀挀愀洀攀  愀
metaphor for hell itself. City refuse was taken daily to Gehenna, where it was added to a fire that਀戀甀爀渀攀搀  瀀攀爀瀀攀琀甀愀氀氀礀⸀  匀甀挀栀  椀洀愀最攀爀礀  椀猀  甀猀攀搀  琀漀  搀攀猀挀爀椀戀攀  栀攀氀氀Ⰰ  眀栀攀爀攀  琀栀攀  昀氀愀洀攀猀  愀爀攀  渀攀瘀攀爀
extinguished. However, Joseph of Arimathea made a special plea to Pilate to give Jesus a proper਀戀甀爀椀愀氀 愀挀挀漀爀搀椀渀最 琀漀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 挀甀猀琀漀洀⸀ 吀栀攀 圀漀爀搀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 眀愀猀 琀栀攀爀攀戀礀 昀甀氀昀椀氀氀攀搀⸀ 䤀渀猀琀攀愀搀 漀昀
being thrown into the garbage heap, Jesus’ body was to be anointed with precious spices and਀戀甀爀椀攀搀 椀渀 愀 爀椀挀栀 洀愀渀ᤀ猠 最爀愀瘀攀Ⰰ 昀甀氀昀椀氀氀椀渀最 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀挀礀 漀昀 䤀猀愀椀愀栀 㔀㌀⸀ 吀栀攀爀攀昀漀爀攀Ⰰ 䠀椀猀 攀砀愀氀琀愀琀椀漀渀 戀攀最愀渀
not at the resurrection but at the moment of His death. The pall of humiliation was lifted as His਀戀漀搀礀 眀愀猀 琀爀攀愀琀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 最爀攀愀琀 挀愀爀攀⸀
Then there was the major burst of glory when God shook the whole earth and brought His਀匀漀渀 戀愀挀欀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 搀攀愀搀 椀渀 漀爀搀攀爀 琀漀 椀渀搀椀挀愀琀攀 琀栀愀琀 䠀攀 眀愀猀 挀漀洀瀀氀攀琀攀氀礀 猀愀琀椀猀昀椀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 䠀椀猀 匀漀渀ᤀ猠眀漀爀欀⸀ 䘀漀爀 琀栀爀攀攀 搀愀礀猀Ⰰ 䜀漀搀 眀愀猀 猀椀氀攀渀琀⸀ 吀栀攀渀 䠀攀 猀挀爀攀愀洀攀搀⸀ 圀椀琀栀 挀愀琀愀挀氀礀猀洀椀挀 瀀漀眀攀爀Ⰰ 䜀漀搀 爀漀氀氀攀搀
the stone away and unleashed a paroxysm of creative energy of life, infusing it once more into਀琀栀攀 猀琀椀氀氀 戀漀搀礀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀⸀ 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†栀攀愀爀琀 戀攀最愀渀 琀漀 戀攀愀琀Ⰰ 瀀甀洀瀀椀渀最 最氀漀爀椀昀椀攀搀 戀氀漀漀搀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 最氀漀爀椀昀椀攀搀
arteries, sending glorified power to muscles atrophied by death. The grave clothes could not bind਀䠀椀洀 愀猀 䠀攀 爀漀猀攀 琀漀 䠀椀猀 昀攀攀琀 愀渀搀 焀甀椀琀 琀栀攀 挀爀礀瀀琀⸀ 䤀渀 愀渀 椀渀猀琀愀渀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 洀漀爀琀愀氀 戀攀挀愀洀攀 椀洀洀漀爀琀愀氀 愀渀搀
death was swallowed up by victory. In a moment of history, Job’s question was answered once਀愀渀搀 昀漀爀 愀氀氀㨀 ᰀ䤠昀 愀 洀愀渀 搀椀攀猀Ⰰ 猀栀愀氀氀 栀攀 氀椀瘀攀 愀最愀椀渀㼀ᴀ†⠀䨀漀戀 ㄀㐀㨀㄀㐀⤀⸀ 䠀攀爀攀 椀猀 琀栀攀 眀愀琀攀爀猀栀攀搀 洀漀洀攀渀琀 漀昀
human history, where the misery of the race is transformed into grandeur. Here the kerygma, the਀瀀爀漀挀氀愀洀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 攀愀爀氀礀 挀栀甀爀挀栀Ⰰ 眀愀猀 戀漀爀渀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 挀爀礀Ⰰ ᰀ䠠攀 椀猀 爀椀猀攀渀⸀ᴀ 
In His resurrected state, Jesus came out of the grave with the same body that had been put਀椀渀琀漀  琀栀攀  最爀愀瘀攀Ⰰ  戀甀琀  琀栀愀琀  戀漀搀礀  眀愀猀  挀栀愀渀最攀搀⸀  䤀琀  眀愀猀  最氀漀爀椀昀椀攀搀⸀  吀栀攀  爀攀猀甀爀爀攀挀琀攀搀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀  眀愀猀  椀渀  愀
glorified state, which was a foreshadowing of the new physical bodies that we will enjoy in the਀昀椀渀愀氀 爀攀猀甀爀爀攀挀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 愀猀 倀愀甀氀 攀砀瀀氀愀椀渀猀㨀
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is਀椀洀瀀攀爀椀猀栀愀戀氀攀⸀ 䤀琀 椀猀 猀漀眀渀 椀渀 搀椀猀栀漀渀漀爀㬀 椀琀 椀猀 爀愀椀猀攀搀 椀渀 最氀漀爀礀⸀ 䤀琀 椀猀 猀漀眀渀 椀渀 眀攀愀欀渀攀猀猀㬀 椀琀 椀猀
raised  in  power.  It  is  sown  a  natural  body;  it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body.  If  there  is  a਀渀愀琀甀爀愀氀  戀漀搀礀Ⰰ  琀栀攀爀攀  椀猀  愀氀猀漀  愀  猀瀀椀爀椀琀甀愀氀  戀漀搀礀⸀  吀栀甀猀  椀琀  椀猀  眀爀椀琀琀攀渀Ⰰ  ᰀ吠栀攀  昀椀爀猀琀  洀愀渀  䄀搀愀洀
became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (1 Cor. 15:42–45)਀匀漀 眀攀 猀栀愀氀氀 攀瘀攀爀 戀攀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 䰀漀爀搀 椀渀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀⸀
King of Kings਀吀栀攀 昀椀渀愀氀 最漀愀氀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†攀愀爀琀栀氀礀 洀椀渀椀猀琀爀礀 眀愀猀 渀漀琀 琀栀攀 挀爀漀猀猀 漀爀 攀瘀攀渀 琀栀攀 爀攀猀甀爀爀攀挀琀椀漀渀⸀ 吀栀攀 甀氀琀椀洀愀琀攀
goal is His final return and the consummation of His kingdom. The story does not end with the਀攀洀瀀琀礀 琀漀洀戀㬀 琀漀 眀爀椀琀攀 昀椀渀椀猀 琀栀攀爀攀 椀猀 琀漀 洀椀猀猀 愀 挀氀椀洀愀挀琀椀挀 洀漀洀攀渀琀 漀昀 爀攀搀攀洀瀀琀椀瘀攀 栀椀猀琀漀爀礀Ⰰ 愀 洀漀洀攀渀琀
toward  which  both  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  move  with  inexorable  determination.  The਀愀猀挀攀渀猀椀漀渀 椀猀 琀栀攀 愀瀀攀砀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀ᤀ猠 攀砀愀氀琀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 愀挀洀攀 漀昀 爀攀搀攀洀瀀琀椀瘀攀 栀椀猀琀漀爀礀 琀漀 琀栀椀猀 瀀漀椀渀琀⸀ 圀椀琀栀漀甀琀
it, the resurrection ends in disappointment and Pentecost would not be possible. The penultimate਀最漀愀氀Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 眀栀椀挀栀 愀氀爀攀愀搀礀 栀愀猀 琀愀欀攀渀 瀀氀愀挀攀Ⰰ 眀愀猀 䠀椀猀 愀猀挀攀渀猀椀漀渀⸀
This  is  one  of  the  most  misunderstood  concepts  in  all  the  Bible.  We  tend  to  think  of  the਀愀猀挀攀渀猀椀漀渀 愀猀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†洀攀爀攀氀礀 最漀椀渀最 甀瀀 昀爀漀洀 攀愀爀琀栀 椀渀琀漀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀⸀ 䠀攀 搀椀搀 愀猀挀攀渀搀 椀渀 琀栀攀 猀攀渀猀攀 漀昀 最漀椀渀最
up, but there was a uniqueness to it. Concerning Jesus’ ascension, Paul wrote: “In saying, ‘he਀愀猀挀攀渀搀攀搀Ⰰᤀ†眀栀愀琀 搀漀攀猀 椀琀 洀攀愀渀 戀甀琀 琀栀愀琀 栀攀 栀愀搀 愀氀猀漀 搀攀猀挀攀渀搀攀搀 椀渀琀漀 琀栀攀 氀漀眀攀爀 爀攀最椀漀渀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 攀愀爀琀栀㼀
He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all਀琀栀椀渀最猀ᴀ†⠀䔀瀀栀⸀ 㐀㨀㤀ጀㄠ　⤀⸀ 吀栀攀 愀猀挀攀渀猀椀漀渀 眀愀猀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†攀氀攀瘀愀琀椀漀渀 琀漀 䠀椀猀 挀漀爀漀渀愀琀椀漀渀⸀ 吀栀攀 匀漀渀 漀昀 䴀愀渀
was received into heaven and crowned as the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and right now਀䠀攀 爀甀氀攀猀 椀渀 琀栀攀 栀椀最栀攀猀琀 瀀漀氀椀琀椀挀愀氀 漀昀昀椀挀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 甀渀椀瘀攀爀猀攀⸀ 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 栀愀猀 琀栀攀 瀀漀猀椀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 挀漀猀洀椀挀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀
right now because of the ascension. This is why the Apostles’ Creed says, “He ascended into਀栀攀愀瘀攀渀 愀渀搀 猀椀琀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 琀栀攀 䘀愀琀栀攀爀 䄀氀洀椀最栀琀礀㬀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀渀挀攀 栀攀 猀栀愀氀氀 挀漀洀攀 琀漀
judge the quick and the dead.”਀圀攀 愀氀猀漀 栀愀瘀攀 琀漀 愀搀搀 琀栀愀琀 䠀攀 愀猀挀攀渀搀攀搀 渀漀琀 漀渀氀礀 琀漀 猀椀琀 愀琀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀 漀昀 琀栀攀 䘀愀琀栀攀爀 椀渀 瀀漀眀攀爀戀甀琀 愀氀猀漀 琀漀 攀渀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀氀礀 猀愀渀挀琀甀愀爀礀Ⰰ 眀栀攀爀攀 䠀攀 昀甀渀挀琀椀漀渀猀 愀猀 漀甀爀 䜀爀攀愀琀 䠀椀最栀 倀爀椀攀猀琀 昀漀爀攀瘀攀爀⸀ 䤀渀
the Old Testament, the high priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies only once a year, and਀眀栀攀渀 栀攀 搀椀攀搀Ⰰ 猀漀洀攀漀渀攀 攀氀猀攀 戀攀挀愀洀攀 栀椀最栀 瀀爀椀攀猀琀 愀渀搀 琀漀漀欀 漀渀 琀栀愀琀 搀甀琀礀⸀ 䈀甀琀 漀甀爀 䠀椀最栀 倀爀椀攀猀琀 渀攀瘀攀爀
dies, and He is there interceding for His people perpetually in the heavenly Holy of Holies. He਀猀琀愀礀猀 琀栀攀爀攀 愀琀 䜀漀搀ᤀ猠 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀Ⰰ 爀甀氀椀渀最 愀猀 漀甀爀 䬀椀渀最 愀渀搀 洀椀渀椀猀琀攀爀椀渀最 愀猀 漀甀爀 倀爀椀攀猀琀⸀ 圀攀 愀爀攀 琀漀氀搀㨀
For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “The Lord said to my਀䰀漀爀搀Ⰰ ᠀匠椀琀 愀琀 洀礀 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀Ⰰ 甀渀琀椀氀 䤀 洀愀欀攀 礀漀甀爀 攀渀攀洀椀攀猀 礀漀甀爀 昀漀漀琀猀琀漀漀氀⸀ᤀᴠ†䰀攀琀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 栀漀甀猀攀
of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this਀䨀攀猀甀猀 眀栀漀洀 礀漀甀 挀爀甀挀椀昀椀攀搀⸀ ⠀䄀挀琀猀 ㈀㨀㌀㐀ጀ㌠㘀⤀
And the author of Hebrews wrote:਀匀漀 愀氀猀漀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 搀椀搀 渀漀琀 攀砀愀氀琀 栀椀洀猀攀氀昀 琀漀 戀攀 洀愀搀攀 愀 栀椀最栀 瀀爀椀攀猀琀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 眀愀猀 愀瀀瀀漀椀渀琀攀搀 戀礀 栀椀洀
who  said  to  him,  “You  are  my  Son,  today  I  have  begotten  you”;  as  he  says  also  in਀愀渀漀琀栀攀爀 瀀氀愀挀攀Ⰰ ᰀ夠漀甀 愀爀攀 愀 瀀爀椀攀猀琀 昀漀爀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 愀昀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 漀爀搀攀爀 漀昀 䴀攀氀挀栀椀稀攀搀攀欀⸀ᴀ†⠀䠀攀戀⸀ 㔀㨀㔀ጀ㘠⤀
The ascension of Jesus was the supreme political event of world history. He ascended not so਀洀甀挀栀 琀漀 愀 瀀氀愀挀攀 愀猀 琀漀 愀渀 漀昀昀椀挀攀⸀ 䠀攀 搀攀瀀愀爀琀攀搀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 愀爀攀渀愀 漀昀 栀甀洀椀氀椀愀琀椀漀渀 愀渀搀 猀甀昀昀攀爀椀渀最 琀漀 攀渀琀攀爀
into His glory. In one moment, He leap-frogged from the status of despised Galilean teacher to਀琀栀愀琀 漀昀 挀漀猀洀椀挀 䬀椀渀最 漀昀 琀栀攀 甀渀椀瘀攀爀猀攀Ⰰ 樀甀洀瀀椀渀最 漀瘀攀爀 琀栀攀 栀攀愀搀猀 漀昀 倀椀氀愀琀攀Ⰰ 䠀攀爀漀搀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 漀琀栀攀爀
rulers  of  the  earth.  The  ascension  catapulted  Jesus  to  the  right  hand  of  God,  where  He  was਀攀渀琀栀爀漀渀攀搀 愀猀 䬀椀渀最 漀昀 欀椀渀最猀 愀渀搀 䰀漀爀搀 漀昀 氀漀爀搀猀⸀ 䠀攀爀攀 琀栀攀 瀀漀氀椀琀椀挀愀氀 ᰀ攠砀瀀攀搀椀攀渀挀礀ᴀ†漀昀 䠀椀猀 搀攀瀀愀爀琀甀爀攀
stands out in bold relief.਀吀栀攀 椀洀瀀氀椀挀愀琀椀漀渀猀 漀昀 琀栀椀猀 攀瘀攀渀琀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 愀爀攀 猀琀愀最最攀爀椀渀最⸀ 䤀琀 洀攀愀渀猀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀漀甀最栀 眀攀 猀甀昀昀攀爀
persecution and the scorn of hostile power structures—though we groan under the demeaning਀猀琀愀琀甀猀  漀昀  愀渀  甀渀眀攀氀挀漀洀攀  洀椀渀漀爀椀琀礀᐀† 漀甀爀  挀愀渀搀椀搀愀琀攀  猀椀琀猀  椀渀  琀栀攀  猀攀愀琀  漀昀  猀漀瘀攀爀攀椀最渀  愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀⸀  吀栀攀
kingdom of God is not an unrealized dream or religious fantasy. The investiture of our King is a਀昀愀椀琀 愀挀挀漀洀瀀氀椀⸀ 䠀椀猀 爀攀椀最渀 椀猀 渀攀椀琀栀攀爀 洀礀琀栀椀挀愀氀 渀漀爀 椀氀氀甀猀漀爀礀㬀 椀琀 挀漀爀爀攀猀瀀漀渀搀猀 琀漀 愀 爀攀愀氀 猀琀愀琀攀 漀昀 愀昀昀愀椀爀猀⸀
At this very moment, the Lord God omnipotent reigns with His Son at His right hand, in the seat਀漀昀  椀洀瀀攀爀椀愀氀  愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀⸀  吀漀  戀攀  猀甀爀攀Ⰰ  琀栀攀  欀椀渀最搀漀洀  椀猀  礀攀琀  琀漀  戀攀  挀漀渀猀甀洀洀愀琀攀搀᐀琠栀愀琀  椀猀  昀甀琀甀爀攀⸀
However, it has been inaugurated. He reigns in power, possessing all authority in heaven and਀攀愀爀琀栀⸀ 䠀椀猀 欀椀渀最搀漀洀 椀猀 椀渀瘀椀猀椀戀氀攀 戀甀琀 渀漀 氀攀猀猀 爀攀愀氀⸀ 䤀琀 椀猀 氀攀昀琀 琀漀 䠀椀猀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 琀漀 洀愀欀攀 䠀椀猀 椀渀瘀椀猀椀戀氀攀
kingship visible.਀䌀栀爀椀猀琀ᤀ猠 猀甀挀挀攀猀猀椀漀渀 琀漀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 椀猀 椀渀猀攀瀀愀爀愀戀氀礀 氀椀渀欀攀搀 琀漀 琀栀攀 挀漀洀椀渀最 漀昀 倀攀渀琀攀挀漀猀琀⸀
One of the first acts of authority He exercised after His enthronement was to endow His church਀眀椀琀栀 瀀漀眀攀爀 昀爀漀洀 漀渀 栀椀最栀⸀ 䠀椀猀 搀椀猀挀椀瀀氀攀猀 眀攀爀攀 最椀瘀攀渀 愀 挀漀洀洀椀猀猀椀漀渀Ⰰ 愀 洀愀渀搀愀琀攀 琀漀 瀀攀渀攀琀爀愀琀攀 琀栀攀
whole  world  while  bearing  witness  to  the  kingdom.  They  were  and  are  to  be  the  authentic਀眀椀琀渀攀猀猀攀猀 漀昀 夀愀栀眀攀栀⸀ 䠀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 渀漀 戀漀爀搀攀爀 眀愀猀 琀漀 戀攀 挀爀漀猀猀攀搀 漀爀 洀椀猀猀椀漀渀 甀渀搀攀爀ⴀ琀愀欀攀渀 甀渀琀椀氀 琀栀攀
Spirit came down. The disciples returned to Jerusalem rejoicing. When, at Pentecost, the new਀䬀椀渀最 漀昀 琀栀攀 挀漀猀洀漀猀 猀攀渀琀 琀栀攀 䠀漀氀礀 匀瀀椀爀椀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 瀀漀眀攀爀 漀昀 琀栀攀 欀椀渀最搀漀洀 眀愀猀 甀渀氀攀愀猀栀攀搀 漀渀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀⸀
Christ’s elevation was not only governmental, it was also sacerdotal. He assumed not only਀琀栀攀  猀挀攀瀀琀攀爀  漀昀  琀栀攀  䬀椀渀最  戀甀琀  琀栀攀  最愀爀洀攀渀琀猀  漀昀  琀栀攀  䠀椀最栀  倀爀椀攀猀琀  愀猀  眀攀氀氀⸀  䤀渀  䠀椀猀  愀猀挀攀渀猀椀漀渀Ⰰ  䨀攀猀甀猀
entered the sanctuary as well as the palace. Not only does Jesus sit at the right hand of God, He਀欀渀攀攀氀猀⸀ 䠀攀 栀愀猀 攀渀琀攀爀攀搀 琀栀攀 猀愀渀挀琀甀猀 猀愀渀挀琀漀爀甀洀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 䠀漀氀礀 漀昀 䠀漀氀椀攀猀Ⰰ 琀漀 洀愀欀攀 搀愀椀氀礀 椀渀琀攀爀挀攀猀猀椀漀渀 昀漀爀䠀椀猀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀⸀ 圀攀 愀爀攀 愀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀 眀栀漀猀攀 䬀椀渀最 瀀爀愀礀猀 昀漀爀 甀猀 戀礀 渀愀洀攀⸀
It is from that place of power and exaltation that He will return in glory to consummate His਀欀椀渀最搀漀洀⸀一漀琀攀猀
1. For more on the key moments during the life of Christ, see R.C. Sproul, The Glory of Christ (Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R, 2003).਀
Chapter Five਀吀栀攀 伀昀昀椀挀攀猀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀
਀䄀猀 䴀漀猀攀猀 眀愀猀 琀栀攀 洀攀搀椀愀琀漀爀 漀昀 琀栀攀 漀氀搀 挀漀瘀攀渀愀渀琀Ⰰ 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀 琀栀攀 䴀攀搀椀愀琀漀爀 漀昀 琀栀攀 渀攀眀 挀漀瘀攀渀愀渀琀⸀ 䄀
mediator is a go-between, an intermediary, someone who stands between two or more parties,਀漀昀琀攀渀琀椀洀攀猀 猀攀琀琀氀椀渀最 愀 搀椀猀瀀甀琀攀⸀
From a theological standpoint, there is one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5).਀䠀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 琀栀攀爀攀 眀攀爀攀 琀栀爀攀攀 琀礀瀀攀猀 漀昀 洀攀搀椀愀琀漀爀猀 椀渀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀⸀ 䔀愀挀栀 眀愀猀 猀攀氀攀挀琀攀搀 戀礀 䜀漀搀
for a specific task and then enabled to perform the task by the Holy Spirit’s anointing. These਀琀栀爀攀攀 洀攀搀椀愀琀漀爀椀愀氀 漀昀昀椀挀攀猀 眀攀爀攀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀Ⰰ 瀀爀椀攀猀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 欀椀渀最⸀
When we look at the offices held by Christ in the drama of redemption, we see that He has a਀洀甀渀甀猀 琀爀椀瀀氀攀砀Ⰰ 愀 琀栀爀攀攀ⴀ昀漀氀搀 漀昀昀椀挀攀Ⰰ 昀漀爀 䠀攀 昀甀氀昀椀氀氀猀 愀氀氀 琀栀爀攀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀猀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 漀昀昀椀挀攀猀 椀渀 漀渀攀
person. Christ is our Prophet, our Priest, and our King.਀䨀攀猀甀猀 伀甀爀 倀爀漀瀀栀攀琀
In the Old Testament, the prophet, for the most part, was a spokesman, an agent of revelation by਀眀栀椀挀栀 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 椀渀猀琀攀愀搀 漀昀 猀瀀攀愀欀椀渀最 搀椀爀攀挀琀氀礀 昀爀漀洀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀 琀漀 琀栀攀 挀漀渀最爀攀最愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 䤀猀爀愀攀氀Ⰰ 瀀甀琀 䠀椀猀 眀漀爀搀猀
into the mouths of men. As the prophet stood facing the people, God stood behind him, a posture਀琀栀愀琀  椀渀搀椀挀愀琀攀搀  琀栀攀  瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀  眀愀猀  猀瀀攀愀欀椀渀最  漀渀  䜀漀搀ᤀ猠  戀攀栀愀氀昀⸀  吀栀攀  瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀猀ᤀ† 洀攀猀猀愀最攀猀  眀攀爀攀  漀昀琀攀渀
prefaced by “Thus says the Lord….”਀䤀渀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ 眀攀 猀攀攀 愀渀 攀渀漀爀洀漀甀猀 猀琀爀甀最最氀攀 戀攀琀眀攀攀渀 琀爀甀攀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀猀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 愀渀搀 昀愀氀猀攀
prophets.  Many  people  followed  the  false  prophets;  they  were  far  more  popular.  The  true਀瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀猀 眀攀爀攀 漀昀琀攀渀 栀愀琀攀搀⸀ 䨀攀爀攀洀椀愀栀 愀渀搀 漀琀栀攀爀猀 攀渀搀甀爀攀搀 洀甀挀栀 愀昀昀氀椀挀琀椀漀渀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 琀栀攀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀 搀椀搀
not want to hear the true Word of God. When Jeremiah complained to God about the popularity਀漀昀 琀栀攀 昀愀氀猀攀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀猀Ⰰ 䜀漀搀 猀愀椀搀 琀漀 栀椀洀Ⰰ ᰀ䰠攀琀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀 眀栀漀 栀愀猀 愀 搀爀攀愀洀 琀攀氀氀 琀栀攀 搀爀攀愀洀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 氀攀琀
him  who  has  my  word  speak  my  word  faithfully.  What  has  straw  in  common  with  wheat?਀搀攀挀氀愀爀攀猀 琀栀攀 䰀漀爀搀ᴀ†⠀䨀攀爀⸀ ㈀㌀㨀㈀㠀⤀⸀ 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 椀渀 猀漀 洀愀渀礀 眀漀爀搀猀Ⰰ 眀愀猀 猀愀礀椀渀最Ⰰ ᰀ䨠攀爀攀洀椀愀栀Ⰰ 猀琀漀瀀 眀漀爀爀礀椀渀最
about what the false prophets do. Your task is to be my spokesman, and you are called to befaithful in speaking whatever I tell you to say.” So, through the prophets, God gave His Word.਀䤀渀  琀栀攀  一攀眀  吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ  眀攀  猀攀攀  琀栀愀琀  䌀栀爀椀猀琀  椀猀  琀栀攀  倀爀漀瀀栀攀琀  瀀愀爀  攀砀挀攀氀氀攀渀挀攀⸀  圀攀  琀攀渀搀  琀漀
emphasize  Christ’s  offices  of  Priest  and  King  but  neglect  His  role  as  Prophet.  He’s  not  first਀愀洀漀渀最 攀焀甀愀氀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 䠀攀 椀猀 愀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀 猀甀椀 最攀渀攀爀椀猀᐀䠠攀 椀猀 椀渀 愀 挀氀愀猀猀 戀礀 䠀椀洀猀攀氀昀 愀猀 愀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀⸀ 吀栀攀爀攀 椀猀
a progressive understanding about Jesus seen in those who met Him. The woman at the well said਀琀漀 䠀椀洀Ⰰ ᰀ匠椀爀Ⰰ 䤀 瀀攀爀挀攀椀瘀攀 琀栀愀琀 礀漀甀 愀爀攀 愀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀ᴀ†⠀䨀漀栀渀 㐀㨀㄀㤀⤀⸀ 吀栀愀琀 眀愀猀 焀甀椀琀攀 愀渀 愀挀挀漀氀愀搀攀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 猀栀攀
had not yet reached the zenith of her confession, which happened when she recognized Him as਀琀栀攀 䴀攀猀猀椀愀栀 ⠀瘀⸀ ㈀㤀⤀⸀ 䨀攀猀甀猀 渀漀琀 漀渀氀礀 瀀爀漀挀氀愀椀洀攀搀 琀栀攀 圀漀爀搀 漀昀 䜀漀搀㬀 䠀攀 眀愀猀 愀渀搀 椀猀 琀栀攀 圀漀爀搀 漀昀 䜀漀搀
(John 1:1). The author of Hebrews wrote, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God਀猀瀀漀欀攀 琀漀 漀甀爀 昀愀琀栀攀爀猀 戀礀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 椀渀 琀栀攀猀攀 氀愀猀琀 搀愀礀猀 栀攀 栀愀猀 猀瀀漀欀攀渀 琀漀 甀猀 戀礀 栀椀猀 匀漀渀Ⰰ 眀栀漀洀
he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (1:1–2). Elsewhere,਀䨀攀猀甀猀 猀愀椀搀Ⰰ ᰀ䘠漀爀 䤀 栀愀瘀攀 渀漀琀 猀瀀漀欀攀渀 漀渀 洀礀 漀眀渀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 琀栀攀 䘀愀琀栀攀爀 眀栀漀 猀攀渀琀 洀攀 栀愀猀 栀椀洀猀攀氀昀
given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49). Jesus was the faithful਀倀爀漀瀀栀攀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 一攀眀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀⸀
Jesus is not just the subject of prophecy; He is the chief object of prophecy. He did not just਀琀攀愀挀栀 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 昀甀琀甀爀攀 漀爀 搀攀挀氀愀爀攀 琀栀攀 圀漀爀搀 漀昀 䜀漀搀㬀 䠀攀 椀猀 琀栀攀 圀漀爀搀 漀昀 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 䠀攀 椀猀 琀栀攀 昀漀挀愀氀
point of all the prophetic teaching of the Old Testament.਀䨀攀猀甀猀 伀甀爀 倀爀椀攀猀琀
Unlike  the  Old  Testament  prophets,  who  faced  the  people  when  speaking  for  God,  the  Old਀吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 瀀爀椀攀猀琀猀 昀愀挀攀搀 䜀漀搀 愀渀搀 栀愀搀 琀栀攀椀爀 戀愀挀欀猀 琀漀 琀栀攀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀⸀ 䰀椀欀攀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瀀栀攀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 瀀爀椀攀猀琀 眀愀猀 愀
spokesman, but He spoke for the people rather than to them. He made intercession on behalf of਀琀栀攀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀 愀渀搀 瀀爀愀礀攀搀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀洀⸀ 䄀搀搀椀琀椀漀渀愀氀氀礀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 瀀爀椀攀猀琀 漀昀昀攀爀攀搀 猀愀挀爀椀昀椀挀攀猀 琀漀 䜀漀搀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀⸀
The chief sacrifices were offered on the Day of Atonement by the high priest. But before the਀栀椀最栀 瀀爀椀攀猀琀 挀漀甀氀搀 洀愀欀攀 猀愀挀爀椀昀椀挀攀猀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀Ⰰ 栀攀 栀愀搀 琀漀 洀愀欀攀 猀愀挀爀椀昀椀挀攀猀 昀漀爀 栀椀猀 漀眀渀 猀椀渀⸀ 䠀椀猀
sacrifice, just like that of the people, had to be repeated annually.਀䨀攀猀甀猀 椀猀 漀甀爀 䜀爀攀愀琀 䠀椀最栀 倀爀椀攀猀琀⸀ 吀栀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 琀攀砀琀 洀漀猀琀 昀爀攀焀甀攀渀琀氀礀 焀甀漀琀攀搀 椀渀 琀栀攀 一攀眀
Testament is Psalm 110, and it contains an extraordinary statement about the character of the਀䴀攀猀猀椀愀栀㨀
The LORD says to my Lord:਀ᰀ匠椀琀 愀琀 洀礀 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀Ⰰ
until I make your enemies your footstool.”਀吀栀攀 䰀漀爀搀 猀攀渀搀猀 昀漀爀琀栀 昀爀漀洀 娀椀漀渀
your mighty scepter.਀刀甀氀攀 椀渀 琀栀攀 洀椀搀猀琀 漀昀 礀漀甀爀 攀渀攀洀椀攀猀℀
Your people will offer themselves freely਀漀渀 琀栀攀 搀愀礀 漀昀 礀漀甀爀 瀀漀眀攀爀Ⰰ
in holy garments;਀昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 眀漀洀戀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀漀爀渀椀渀最Ⰰ
the dew of your youth will be yours.਀吀栀攀 䰀漀爀搀 栀愀猀 猀眀漀爀渀愀渀搀 眀椀氀氀 渀漀琀 挀栀愀渀最攀 栀椀猀 洀椀渀搀Ⰰ
“You are a priest forever਀愀昀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 漀爀搀攀爀 漀昀 䴀攀氀挀栀椀稀攀搀攀欀⸀ᴀ†⠀瘀瘀⸀ ㄀ጀ㐠⤀
In the New Testament, the author of Hebrews gives much attention to the perfect priesthood਀漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀⸀ 伀渀攀 欀攀礀 瀀椀攀挀攀 漀昀 攀瘀椀搀攀渀挀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 栀椀最栀攀爀 渀愀琀甀爀攀 漀昀 䨀攀猀甀猀ᤀ†瀀爀椀攀猀琀ⴀ栀漀漀搀 椀猀 琀栀攀 昀愀挀琀 琀栀愀琀 䠀攀
did not have to make any sacrifices for His own sin before entering the temple; the sacrifice He਀漀昀昀攀爀攀搀 眀愀猀 漀渀挀攀 昀漀爀 愀氀氀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 椀琀 眀愀猀 渀漀琀 愀渀 愀渀椀洀愀氀 猀愀挀爀椀昀椀挀攀⸀ 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 漀昀昀攀爀攀搀 䠀椀洀猀攀氀昀Ⰰ 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 ᰀ椠琀 椀猀
impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). He is a Priest forever਀愀昀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 漀爀搀攀爀 漀昀 䴀攀氀挀栀椀稀攀搀攀欀Ⰰ 挀漀渀琀椀渀甀椀渀最 䠀椀猀 洀攀搀椀愀琀漀爀椀愀氀 眀漀爀欀 攀瘀攀渀 琀漀 琀栀椀猀 洀漀洀攀渀琀᐀渠漀琀 戀礀
continually offering sacrifices to satisfy the justice of God but by interceding for His people in਀琀栀攀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀氀礀 䠀漀氀礀 漀昀 䠀漀氀椀攀猀 眀椀琀栀椀渀 琀栀攀 栀攀愀瘀攀渀氀礀 琀攀洀瀀氀攀⸀ 䨀甀猀琀 愀猀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀 戀漀琀栀 琀栀攀 猀甀戀樀攀挀琀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀
object of prophecy, He is the subject and the object of the priesthood. He is the perfect Priest and਀瀀攀爀昀攀挀琀 椀渀琀攀爀洀攀搀椀愀爀礀Ⰰ 渀漀眀 愀渀搀 昀漀爀攀瘀攀爀⸀
Christ Our King਀吀栀攀 琀栀椀爀搀 漀昀昀椀挀攀 漀昀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 椀猀 愀氀猀漀 椀渀搀椀挀愀琀攀搀 椀渀 倀猀愀氀洀 ㄀㄀　㨀 ᰀ吠栀攀 䰀漀爀搀 猀愀礀猀 琀漀 洀礀 䰀漀爀搀㨀 ᠀匠椀琀 愀琀 洀礀
right  hand’”  (v.  1).  This  is  a  reference  to  the  office  of  king.  Many  have  a  difficult  time਀爀攀挀漀渀挀椀氀椀渀最 琀栀攀 漀昀昀椀挀攀 漀昀 欀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 琀栀愀琀 漀昀 愀 洀攀搀椀愀琀漀爀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 椀昀 眀攀 最漀 戀愀挀欀 琀漀 琀栀攀 爀漀漀琀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀
Testament,  we  will  see  it.  The  king  of  Israel  was  not  autonomous;  he  did  not  have  absolute਀愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀 椀渀 栀椀洀猀攀氀昀⸀ 䠀攀 爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀搀 栀椀猀 漀昀昀椀挀攀 昀爀漀洀 䜀漀搀⸀ 䠀椀猀 挀愀氀氀椀渀最 眀愀猀 琀栀愀琀 漀昀 瘀椀挀攀ⴀ爀攀最攀渀琀Ⰰ 戀礀
which he was to manifest the justice and rule of God Himself. The king was a mediator in that he਀眀愀猀 甀渀搀攀爀 琀栀攀 氀愀眀 漀昀 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 礀攀琀 栀攀 栀攀氀瀀攀搀 琀漀 攀猀琀愀戀氀椀猀栀 愀渀搀 洀愀椀渀琀愀椀渀 琀栀攀 氀愀眀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 琀漀 琀栀攀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀⸀
Sadly, the history of the kings in the Old Testament is filled with corruption and the failure of਀琀栀漀猀攀 洀漀渀愀爀挀栀猀 琀漀 挀愀爀爀礀 漀甀琀 琀栀攀椀爀 爀攀猀瀀漀渀猀椀戀椀氀椀琀礀⸀
We find the same principle in the New Testament with respect to civil magistrates. The Bible਀愀氀氀漀眀猀 昀漀爀 琀眀漀 猀瀀栀攀爀攀猀 漀昀 漀瀀攀爀愀琀椀漀渀᐀琠栀攀 挀栀甀爀挀栀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 猀琀愀琀攀᐀眠栀椀挀栀 栀愀瘀攀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀 搀甀琀椀攀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀
never does Scripture uphold the separation of the state from God, because all rulers are appointed਀戀礀  䜀漀搀⸀  吀栀攀礀  愀爀攀  漀爀搀愀椀渀攀搀  琀漀  甀瀀栀漀氀搀  爀椀最栀琀攀漀甀猀渀攀猀猀  愀渀搀  攀猀琀愀戀氀椀猀栀  樀甀猀琀椀挀攀Ⰰ  愀渀搀  琀栀攀礀  愀爀攀
accountable to God for how they exercise their reign.਀匀漀洀攀 礀攀愀爀猀 愀最漀Ⰰ 䤀 眀愀猀 椀渀瘀椀琀攀搀 琀漀 猀瀀攀愀欀 愀琀 琀栀攀 最漀瘀攀爀渀漀爀ᤀ猠 椀渀愀甀最甀爀愀氀 戀爀攀愀欀昀愀猀琀 椀渀 吀愀氀氀愀栀愀猀猀攀攀Ⰰ
Fla. On that occasion, I solemnly reminded the governor that to be a governor is to be a minister਀漀昀 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀愀琀 猀椀渀挀攀 漀渀氀礀 䜀漀搀 挀愀渀 洀愀欀攀 漀渀攀 愀 最漀瘀攀爀渀漀爀Ⰰ 䜀漀搀 眀漀甀氀搀 栀漀氀搀 栀椀洀 愀挀挀漀甀渀琀愀戀氀攀 昀漀爀
how he governs. That is true of any ruler in any nation and in any situation. However, God sees a਀眀漀爀氀搀 爀甀氀攀搀 戀礀 挀漀爀爀甀瀀琀 欀椀渀最猀Ⰰ 琀栀漀猀攀 眀栀漀 搀攀瘀椀愀琀攀 昀爀漀洀 爀椀最栀琀攀漀甀猀渀攀猀猀 愀渀搀 樀甀猀琀椀挀攀⸀
The closest model in the Old Testament to the ideal king—David—was himself corrupt. Yet਀䐀愀瘀椀搀 椀渀琀爀漀搀甀挀攀搀 琀栀攀 爀漀礀愀氀 最漀氀搀攀渀 愀最攀 椀渀 䤀猀爀愀攀氀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 愀昀琀攀爀 栀攀 搀椀攀搀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀 氀漀渀最攀搀 琀漀 猀攀攀 琀栀攀
restoration of the Davidic kingdom. God said through the prophet Amos: “In that day I will raise਀甀瀀 琀栀攀 戀漀漀琀栀 漀昀 䐀愀瘀椀搀 琀栀愀琀 椀猀 昀愀氀氀攀渀 愀渀搀 爀攀瀀愀椀爀 椀琀猀 戀爀攀愀挀栀攀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 爀愀椀猀攀 甀瀀 椀琀猀 爀甀椀渀猀 愀渀搀 爀攀戀甀椀氀搀 椀琀 愀猀
in the days of old” (Amos 9:11).਀䄀琀 琀栀攀 栀攀愀爀琀 漀昀 洀攀猀猀椀愀渀椀挀 攀砀瀀攀挀琀愀渀挀礀 椀渀 琀栀攀 伀氀搀 吀攀猀琀愀洀攀渀琀 眀愀猀 琀栀攀 氀漀渀最椀渀最 漀昀 琀栀攀 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀 琀漀
have a king like David once again. In Psalm 110, God promised that His Son would be that King,਀愀渀搀 琀栀愀琀 䠀攀 眀漀甀氀搀 爀攀椀最渀 昀漀爀攀瘀攀爀 愀渀搀 攀瘀攀爀⸀ 匀漀 眀栀攀渀 䌀栀爀椀猀琀 挀愀洀攀Ⰰ 䠀攀 眀愀猀 栀攀爀愀氀搀攀搀 愀猀 琀栀攀 渀攀眀戀漀爀渀䬀椀渀最⸀  䤀渀  昀愀挀琀Ⰰ  䠀攀  眀愀猀  挀爀甀挀椀昀椀攀搀  戀攀挀愀甀猀攀  漀昀  䠀椀猀  挀氀愀椀洀猀  琀漀  欀椀渀最猀栀椀瀀⸀  䠀攀  猀愀椀搀  琀漀  倀椀氀愀琀攀㨀  ᰀ䴠礀
kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been਀昀椀最栀琀椀渀最Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 䤀 洀椀最栀琀 渀漀琀 戀攀 搀攀氀椀瘀攀爀攀搀 漀瘀攀爀 琀漀 琀栀攀 䨀攀眀猀⸀ 䈀甀琀 洀礀 欀椀渀最搀漀洀 椀猀 渀漀琀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀ᴀ 
(John 18:36). The Father exalted the Son and installed Him at His right hand as the ruler of the਀眀栀漀氀攀 甀渀椀瘀攀爀猀攀Ⰰ 愀猀 琀栀攀 匀栀攀瀀栀攀爀搀ⴀ䬀椀渀最 眀栀漀猀攀 爀攀椀最渀 眀椀氀氀 最漀 漀渀 攀琀攀爀渀愀氀氀礀⸀
The only difference between the kingdom today and the kingdom that we will know in the਀昀甀琀甀爀攀 椀猀 椀琀猀 瘀椀猀椀戀椀氀椀琀礀⸀ 䨀攀猀甀猀 椀猀 䬀椀渀最 爀椀最栀琀 渀漀眀⸀ 䠀攀 栀漀氀搀猀 琀栀攀 栀椀最栀攀猀琀 最漀瘀攀爀渀洀攀渀琀愀氀 漀昀昀椀挀攀 椀渀 琀栀攀
universe  because  He  has  been  elevated  to  that  position  by  God,  which  is  at  the  heart  of  the਀䄀瀀漀猀琀氀攀猀ᤀ† 䌀爀攀攀搀㨀  ᰀ嬠䠀攀崀  猀甀昀昀攀爀攀搀  甀渀搀攀爀  倀漀渀琀椀甀猀  倀椀氀愀琀攀Ⰰ  眀愀猀  挀爀甀挀椀昀椀攀搀Ⰰ  搀攀愀搀  愀渀搀  戀甀爀椀攀搀☀⸠  吀栀攀
third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God਀琀栀攀 䘀愀琀栀攀爀 䄀氀洀椀最栀琀礀⸀ᴀ†吀漀 戀攀 愀琀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀 漀昀 䜀漀搀 椀猀 琀漀 戀攀 椀渀 琀栀攀 瀀漀猀椀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 愀甀琀栀漀爀椀琀礀Ⰰ 戀礀
which He rules not just the church but also the world. That is why the church cries, “Hallelujah!”਀伀甀爀 䴀攀猀猀椀愀栀 椀猀 渀漀琀 漀渀氀礀 漀甀爀 倀爀漀瀀栀攀琀 愀渀搀 倀爀椀攀猀琀 戀甀琀 愀氀猀漀 漀甀爀 䬀椀渀最⸀䄀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 䄀甀琀栀漀爀
Dr. R.C. Sproul was founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel਀椀渀 匀愀渀昀漀爀搀Ⰰ 䘀氀愀⸀Ⰰ 昀椀爀猀琀 瀀爀攀猀椀搀攀渀琀 漀昀 刀攀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 䈀椀戀氀攀 䌀漀氀氀攀最攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 攀砀攀挀甀琀椀瘀攀 攀搀椀琀漀爀 漀昀 吀愀戀氀攀琀愀氀欀
magazine. His radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio਀猀琀愀琀椀漀渀猀 愀爀漀甀渀搀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀 愀渀搀 挀愀渀 愀氀猀漀 戀攀 栀攀愀爀搀 漀渀氀椀渀攀⸀ 䠀攀 眀愀猀 愀甀琀栀漀爀 漀昀 洀漀爀攀 琀栀愀渀 漀渀攀 栀甀渀搀爀攀搀
books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He was਀爀攀挀漀最渀椀稀攀搀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀 昀漀爀 栀椀猀 愀爀琀椀挀甀氀愀琀攀 搀攀昀攀渀猀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 椀渀攀爀爀愀渀挀礀 漀昀 匀挀爀椀瀀琀甀爀攀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀
need for God’s people to stand with conviction upon His Word.਀
About the Author਀
Dr. R.C. Sproul was founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel਀椀渀 匀愀渀昀漀爀搀Ⰰ 䘀氀愀⸀Ⰰ 昀椀爀猀琀 瀀爀攀猀椀搀攀渀琀 漀昀 刀攀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 䈀椀戀氀攀 䌀漀氀氀攀最攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 攀砀攀挀甀琀椀瘀攀 攀搀椀琀漀爀 漀昀 吀愀戀氀攀琀愀氀欀
magazine. His radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio਀猀琀愀琀椀漀渀猀 愀爀漀甀渀搀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀 愀渀搀 挀愀渀 愀氀猀漀 戀攀 栀攀愀爀搀 漀渀氀椀渀攀⸀ 䠀攀 眀愀猀 愀甀琀栀漀爀 漀昀 洀漀爀攀 琀栀愀渀 漀渀攀 栀甀渀搀爀攀搀
books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He was਀爀攀挀漀最渀椀稀攀搀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀 昀漀爀 栀椀猀 愀爀琀椀挀甀氀愀琀攀 搀攀昀攀渀猀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 椀渀攀爀爀愀渀挀礀 漀昀 匀挀爀椀瀀琀甀爀攀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀
need for God’s people to stand with conviction upon His Word.਀
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