Personal Significance of Jesus Christ

Posted 5/3/2009 2:06:19 PM

We've made the case from Scripture that Jesus perfecty fills several key roles:

• Prophet
• Priest
• King
• God

So, how does that impact my life? What do each of these positions do for me, and why does it matter that Jesus is a perfect fit for each one?

Jesus is God
This really is the most important, and everything else hinges on this.

• Ability
  1. "Before Abraham was born, I am" Joh 8:58 So, if Jesus lived before Abraham was even born, it's safe to say He lived before you were born! Living before everybody, along with everybody, and even after everybody gives some advantages. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him 1Cor 10:13. Nothing in your life is new to Him or is unexpected Jo 2:24-25. There is nothing He can't handle, nothing too difficult Jude 1:24. When you've seen the storyline from beginning to end, along with every possible path that could be taken along the way.
  2. "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" Col 1:17 The designer and maker of something has an intimate knowledge of how it works. Even some things man puts together are incredibly complicated and require teams of people to understand and pull off. Astronomically more so with God, able to simply speak and the universe in unbelievable complexity exists. He has that same knowledge over the spiritual world as well Jo 3:23-24. In any case, there is nothing in the world, physical or spiritual, that is beyond His power Mat 10:28.
• Authority
  1. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" Mat 28:18 As if being God Himself isn't enough to go on, Jesus has been specifically granted authority - all authority - in heaven and on earth! Don't fall for any lie that "the devil made you do it," or "I just couldn' t help it!" Absolutely nothing you do is outside the scope of Jesus' authority. You can accomplish all of God's will, because he has the authority and ability to enable you to do so Php 4:13!

Jesus is King
He has Power
Remember the purpose of a king is to bring peace to His kingdom.

• Justice Joh 5:30
  This has a lot do with being fair and treating all equally before the law. Jesus isn't going to play favorites because of wealth, goodness, talents, background or whatever. You will be cared for Him just as well as any other person on earth. That confidence of not having to beat out the next guy for the better treatment should quell all sorts of strife. Now if we're working for our own ends, this won't help, because He as equally fairly/justly will put you back in your place! It goes both ways! Righteousness is the source of justice.
  Righteousness is very similar to holiness, in that it is "comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity to the diving law." (Webster's)
• A Kingdom Php 2:10-11
  The King is particularly concerned with His people. As a Christian, you are part of Christ's nation 1Pe 2:9. God does mercifully show His grace on the whole world Mat 5:45, but He especially looks out for His own Tit 2:14. The fact that your nationality innately benefits you, empowers you, and opens doors of opportunity to you shouldn't be taken lightly. Go for it! You have the backing of the King of Kings to go about your life doing His bidding.

Jesus is Priest
He has Position
If only we always lived for Jesus as God and King! But we mess up, we fail, we fall to our sinful nature, and foolishly choose Rom 3:10-18 to turn away from such a wonderful leader. Don't despair, the Priest is willing and able to restore you to fellowship with God!

• Experience
  Jesus has suffered through temptations as a man, just like us Heb 2:18. He understands us and what we're going through - not just some fabled god high up on a mountain disconnected from the realities of humanity. Don't forget, He made you, too . . .
  Somehow or another, when Jesus the Son of God died on the cross, He experienced the same separation from God that we are born to, live in when we sin, and die in if we do not believe. He understands completely what's at stake, and is committed to getting you in fellowship with God! Jo 3:16-17
• Birthright Heb 8:1
  The priest is a mediator between you and God. One who is a man can appeal your case to God as a man himself, and no more. He has to be extremely careful to be sure his own relationship with God is whole to be able to properly handle yours. This is not a problem with Jesus! He is the one and only begotten Son of the very God you're trying to reach. God loves His Son Joh 3:35, and will forgive you because of Jesus.

Jesus is Prophet
He has Authority
There are so many prophets that were used by God to reveal Himself to us. What makes Jesus particularly import as a prophet to us?

• Expanded Law
  Jesus completely changed the way we look at God's law. He showed how the Jewish leadership had gone in the wrong direction with the Law, and pointed us in the right direction. The Law wasn't wrong Mat 5:17, it was the application of it that had gone awry.
  "I haven't sinned!" Yeah, right. Lest you feel self-righteous in your life of outward compliance, Jesus makes it clear the bar is way, way higher than that. He addresses murder, adultery, lying, anger, and love Mat 5:21-48, showing that the what God really wants is your heart.
  "I've done so much good!" For whose benefit? The Pharisees had their tithes figured out of the miniscule amounts of expensive spices they dealt with, yet neglected the big picture of a life for God Mat 23:23. Often we focus on one success so we can gloss over our failures elsewhere. God doesn't miss anything. He also clarifies issues like the Sabbath, making it clear again that God's law is exactly as specific as it needs be, and doesn't need our additions to it Mar 2:24-28.
• New Life
  Even more than just the Law, Jesus opened the door wide and welcomes you to a personal relationship with God. Sating your spiritual hunger and thirst, He personally welcomes you to a fulfilled life of life Jo 3:21,36, joy, and contentment Php 4:10-13.
  There is nothing better than a life lived for Christ, despite what all around you is telling you. Jesus is the only way to that life, and wants you to live it!

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