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- Jesus did not begin His
existence either at His conception in Nazareth nor His birth in Bethlehem.
Jesus said that before Abraham had been born, He was there (John 8:56-59).
He used the Divine name for Himself, the “I Am” of the burning bush (Exodus
3:14). He does not say “I was” but “I Am” which means He is
eternally existing. He has no beginning or end. This means He is deity, that
He possesses Godhood, because only God is eternal in both directions: past
and future. Consider Jesus' eternal nature.
Christ in Creation
First of all, the Scriptures plainly teach that the One who was made flesh
and named Jesus was also the One who created the worlds. Jesus is our
Creator:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being
through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into
being. “
And:
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,
glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.“
(John 1:1-3; 14).
There simply are no exceptions to this; every created thing finds it origin
in the creative work of the Son of God. He is the Creator exalted by the
Hebrew writer for His creative work and power as well:
“But of the Son He says, 'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the
righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. "Thou hast loved
righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed
Thee With the oil of gladness above Thy companions." And, "Thou,
Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the
heavens are the works of Thy hands; They will perish, but Thou remainest;
And they all will become old as a garment, And as a mantle Thou wilt roll
them up; As a garment they will also be changed. But Thou art the same, And
Thy years will not come to an end. " (Hebrews 1:8-12).
The Bible says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
(Genesis 1:1). The New Testament says Jesus did this work, thereby declaring
Jesus to be God just as the Father and the Spirit are. The Lord created all
things by Himself (Isaiah 44:24).
The One Lord God consists of three persons (Matthew 28:18-20). In fact, the
term “Elohim” in Genesis 1:1 is plural, our one God is made up of
three distinct persons, separate but of the same eternal, divine nature. The
second verse of Genesis chapter one mentions the Spirit's moving presence at
creation. This helps us understand the plural pronouns used later: “Then
God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let
them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over
the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps
on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He
created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27).
God the Father willed that creation take place; the Son was the active
agent; the “word” by which creation occurred according to the
Father's will (Hebrews 1:1-3); and the Spirit exerted influence of the
formless void, perhaps bringing order to the matter.
Christ is not a created being, but has created all things Himself:
“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him.”
(Colossians 1:16).
Christ in Eternity
Before coming to earth, Christ was in heaven with the Father where He had
always been there as the “I Am” (John 17:5). The One who was born and
given the name “Jesus” pre-existed His conception and birth (John
6:62). The prophet Micah had said it would happen this way:
"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of
Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings
forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." ( Micah 5:2).
Isaiah also used a surprising term in speaking of the coming Messiah. He
referred to Him as “Eternal Father” (Isaiah 9:6). How is it that the
Son is referred to as the Father? Perhaps because He has become as a Father
to us because God has entrusted us into His care. He is as an older brother
who cares for the children (Hebrews 2:9-15). Additionally, it is true that
Jesus reveals the Father to us; we see the Father through Jesus (John
1:17,18; 14:6-14).
Time exists and is located between to vast, unending, everlasting
eternities. But Christ is not restricted to any one part of it. He is
present throughout it all. He is the beginning and the ending of time and
all things (Revelation 1:8).
Christ Our Savior
When we look at Jesus, we are looking to One who is eternal. He was not
merely a great philosopher or teacher, though He was a great teacher. He was
not merely a founder of a major world religion, but He did build His church.
He is the eternal Son of God. How misplaced to equate Jesus with any other
leader, teacher, counselor. How inappropriate to consider His gospel just
one system of belief among many.
During His ministry, Jesus described His mission in terms of seeking and
saving (Luke 19:10). This is all the more remarkable when we realize He is
the eternal Creator. Christ, being eternal, can effect our destinies in the
eternity to come!
Jesus described the resurrection for us:
"Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in
the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good
deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a
resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28-29).
What a wonderful description of the glorified Lord and His eternally
redeemed ones! (Revelation 7:13-17).
Conclusion
So, what do we do for those who would still like to see Jesus? We point to
the eternal “I Am.” We let Christ live in us (Galatians 2:20). There
is no one better to be your guide; your role model; your hero.
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From The Bradley Banner 12/4/2005
Published by the Bradley Church of Christ
1505 E. Broadway
Bradley, IL 60915