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JESUS! WHO IS HE? Beatrice: When the time came for the birth of Jesus, bear in mind that Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem to establish the proof that He was and is the Messiah spoken of by the prophets. The evidence stated in Luke 2:1, 4 Joseph and Mary had to get to Bethlehem. So God in his awesome wisdom and power gave them that reason that they had to go up to Bethlehem to be taxed. Why? Because they were from the linage of David. Luke 2:6 stated that when they were there her time was due. Verse 7: And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him is swaddling clothes and lay him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. This great news of the birth of Jesus did not go unnoticed. God in His own wisdom never leaves us in the dark, so to speak. He provided His first set of eye witnesses. The scriptures stated that there were in the same country Shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night and, lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them “fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savour which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: and ye shall find the child lying in swaddling clothes lying in a manger”. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth: peace, good will towards men”. We are sure that these witnesses spoke what they heard. They heard and saw for themselves Angel Gabriel and his choral team testifying in chorus that the child that was born was none other than Jesus the Christ (The Messiah) that Jehovah God promised. While they were in Bethlehem, up came two other witnesses. Simeon, the Scriptures said, was a devout and just man praying before God in the temple. His request? To see the Messiah (Jesus). God honored his desire by revealing the news to him by the Holy Ghost. He declared his testimony (Luke 2:29): “Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word”. Verse 30: “for my eyes has seen thy salvation.” Verse 31: “why thou has prepared before the face of all people.” Verse 32: “a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.” Bear in mind what God told Abraham back in Genesis that the Messiah Jesus would be a blessing to all people. Jesus and Gentiles; Simeon thousands of years later testified what he saw by divine revelation. The testimonies wouldn't’t be completed if God did not bring Anna his prophetess. The scriptures stated that Anna was a window, pure in body and spirit, one that served God with prayer and fasting daily at the temple. Let’s read what she had to say. (Luke 2: 38) and coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the lord and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Israel. Anna testified that it was Jesus. The Christ (the Messiah) as she declares to all those that were and are looking for the Messiah, Jesus was and is he. Mertile: Sis Beatrice these testimonies and evidence are so over whelming. You cannot do anything but to humble yourself before our mighty God. Mary and Joseph came from Nazareth. According to the scriptures, Mary was not the type to publicize her affairs all about, for the scriptures states that she ponders all these things in her heart. Anna was not at the temple when Simeon testified. She walked in while they were still there and testified in agreement with Simeon’s testimony. Make no mistake about that meeting. God had planned it that way. For it is written that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses every word will be established (Matthew 18:16 and John 8:17). Beatrice: Today we know who Jesus is. The records are in God’s divine book the Holy Scriptures, the Holy Bible. We are not looking for another Jesus or Messiah. God only promised one. His name is Jesus, Jehsua, Emmanuel, and the Christ. With all these phenomena that surrounded Jesus’s birth, do you realize that many people of that generation still asked who Jesus was? Even today, in our time, the question still remains. Who is Jesus? Mertile: Jesus grew in wisdom and might. In his growing up his acts prove that he was and is divine. Those whom he came in contact with marveled at his supernatural power. His ability to reason the Scriptures at such a young age left his elders baffled. Where have you ever heard a man turning water into wine? But Jesus did at the marriage feast in Cana (John 2). Beatrice: When Jesus’ time came to manifest his Messiahship He went to John the Baptist to be baptized in the River Jordan. Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was not a sinner. The reason why was because he was God in the flesh. Once you remember his conception you will agree that he was so. The book of John eliminated that doubt. John 1:1 states that: in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. There in that baptism Jesus was portraying his own (natural) death and resurrection. He was simply saying ‘I am ready to embark on that road.’ At his baptism a great thing happened: the heavens opened and a dove descended and rested on him and the voice of affirmation was sounded aloud by Jehovah. This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. John the Baptist bore that witness as well as those that were around. Throughout the history of man’s existence there has not been any written records nor have we seen or heard of any other living being with such divine power that surrounded his life; like Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is the Christ. If this evidence is not enough to convince anyone who still looks for anther Messiah let’s hear from Jesus himself: Matthew 4: 23-25, Matthew 9:12, John 3: 1-18, John 5:5,8. Jesus continued to prove his Messiahship everywhere and his fame went all over like wild fire. The man Christ Jesus lived up to his claims. Mertile: The critics of Jesus’ time disputed Jesus’ claim of who he was. But his ministry proved otherwise. The scriptures state that Jesus, when he was ready, called twelve men who later became apostles to help in the ministry. Jesus demonstrated his messiahship by going to his people first just like Jehovah told Abraham, preaching and teaching the will of God, and offered them salvation. He went about healing all forms of diseases, casting evil spirits, comforting the bereaved, and forgiving people of their sins. He went about doing good and showing compassion. Everywhere he went signs and wonders followed him. The records of his acts are found in the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Beatrice: Jesus being the Christ had nothing to hide.
When the time came to take the witness stand, he stood with boldness
and authority. He walked through the gate of the synagogue, then
passed by the onlookers seated in their pews waiting to be taught
by the Elders. Jesus continued his march straight to the high
ranking elites. All eyes were on him. Immediately the Elders handed
him the book, Jesus opened the books of divine writings (The Holy
Scriptures) and saw himself in the scriptures. Those around him
knew not, except for him. He proceeded to read. “The Spirit
of God is upon me because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel
to the poor. He hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering sight to the blind,
to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable
year of the Lord” (Isaiah 62: 1, 2) Mertile: The hierarchy in those days was caught in the web of respecting certain persons. They could not overlook the physical form in which he came. They knew him as the boy that grew up next door to a poor carpenter and a peasant woman. Jesus then had to take them on a journey where they would discover who He was. Beatrice: Take for instance John the Baptist, the same John who was sent to bear witness of Jesus. The same John who said that he is not worthy to loosen Jesus’ sandals. The same John who baptized Jesus and said: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The same John who saw the dove descend on Jesus and heard the voice from heaven declare: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”.(John 1:19-23; Matthew 3:10-11 and verses 13-17) When the fame of Jesus went abroad due to the mighty acts He performed, John called on his disciple and sent to Jesus saying: “Art thou He that should come? Or look we for another?” (John 7: 19). Then Jesus answering said unto them: “Go ye and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Jesus not only spoke of His testimonies, He demonstrated who He was so John’s informers could be eyewitnesses of who the real Jesus was and what powerful evidence they saw. After all these, Jesus turned to his fellow disciples to question their knowledge. He asked: “Whom do men say that I am?” And they answered: “John the Baptist, but some Elias and others, one of the prophets.” And Jesus said, “Whom say ye that I am?” And Peter answered and said unto him “thou art the Christ” (Mark 8: 27-29). Peter had been with Jesus. He saw and heard it all, being a Jew with the knowledge of the scriptures. He knew that Jesus couldn't’t have been any ordinary prophet, so the Holy Ghost confirmed it in him. Jesus’ testimonies were overwhelming. The critics were nervous. The more evidence kept piling, the more the questions of Jesus’ Messiahship was made. Yet still the critics were not pleased, so they tried to ask Jesus vague questions like: “show us a sign from heaven”. What happened to all the signs and miracles that He did? They knew they were powerless. Jesus of Nazareth has laid his evidence and testimonies—He had thousands of living witnesses around him at the time. His accusers could not baffle him. So Jesus refused them another sign. Then he told them: “Why doth this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say unto you there shall no sign be given unto this generation” (Mark 8:12). What a blow! His accusers realized that they had lost the fight to discredit Jesus. Many are becoming believers—it’s out of their hands. Jehovah God is in control. Jesus will fulfill all that was written of him and even more. Who could have stopped him? Jesus is Lord, the Messiah. They and the whole world waited for him and He was right here on earth. And the people trembled. His presence and power was too great to contain. Let us see how Jesus described himself. “I am the bread of life. He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35). Jesus continued his revelation of himself as the living water. “If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink, He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters.” (John 7:37-38).” I am the light of the world; He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. I am the door: by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). “I am the resurrection (John 11:25, 26). I am the good Shepard. The good Shepard that giveth his life for the sheep.” ( John 10:11). He went on to say: “Therefore, doth my father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my father.” And so his critics went hysterical. The testimonies, the revelation were too much to fathom. So they argued among themselves; all in all they were confused. Yet Jesus in his love and his mercy extended an olive branch. Jesus pitied them. With his compassionate plea he pleaded with them to believe in the word, and the works that he did. He knew it was he whom they rejected. It all had to do with the person. And because of that many of the people in Christ’s time did not receive that everlasting life, that hope they looked for. Jesus kept pointing them to the records and the testimonies. Yet they planned to kill him—thinking that with his death His Word and deeds would be forgotten. But that was not to happen, for their very thought to put him to death was all in the plan of God. Mertile: Yes, the Elders accused him because of his claims. He revealed their lack of knowledge of God. The God who they claimed to know. But they knew him not as He put it. “Ye both know me and ye know whence I am. And I am not come of myself but He that sent me is true whom ye know not. But I know Him, for I am from Him and He hath sent me.” (John 7:28-29). And so his testimonies continued. “Yet I am a little while with you and then I go unto Him that sent me.” (John 7:33). Jesus reminded them of his pre-existence before he came to earth in this manner. “Ye are from beneath, I am from above. Ye are of this world, I am not of this world” (John 8:23). Jesus testified of everything concerning himself until the end when his time came to be crucified to provide the atonement for our redemption. His final act of messiahship was one of humiliation, and rejection. Jesus kept the faith. He knew that He came to die. He came to save, so he was ready. The authorities wanted to silence Him so the plot to kill him was on. (Luke 22, Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14: 1, 2, 10, 11).What was his crime? Working miracles and His claim of deity. So Jesus was taken into custody and was part of a mock trial where He was sentenced for doing good, for doing what He was sent to do. His punishment was death by crucifixion. What a travesty of justice!! No one was there to defend Him because it was for this cause He came. The hand of God was directing Him to His final test and He went to the test. They beat Him and then they crucified Him with nails to His feet and hands. His sides were pierced and blood flowed. So He gave up His life. He was placed in the tomb for three days and three nights. Then the eye witnesses gave us the account of His glorious resurrection (John 18, 19). Mary Magdalene came to the tomb at the closing of the Sabbath and could not find Him. And a little while she saw Him outside the tomb alive and well. Then we have the apostles that ran to the tomb but did not find Him but they met with two angels from heaven. They told them that He was not there. They showed them the evidence of the cloth that wrapped Him and an empty tomb. (Matthew 28:1, Luke 24: 1-6, Mark 16: 1-8). Beatrice: So Mertile Jesus laid down his life just as He said and He took it back. Today we can speak with no fear that Jesus of Nazareth is Christ and Lord. The one all the prophets spoke of, the one that God promised. He came and He demonstrated and He fulfilled every work that the father laid upon Him. He is alive. He went back to where He came, waiting to make His second appearance, to rule, to reward, and to judge. We have witnesses of His resurrection and His assent. So let us consider the advice Jesus gave the Elders—to search the scriptures. The divine Book of records, The Holy Bible. The testimonies of the witnesses and their names are there for all to see. After His assent He again sent his testimonies to John by his angel. This is what he said: (Revelation 1:1): The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to show unto his servant the things which must shortly come to pass and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John. Sister Mertile today I’m even more confident that Jesus is who He claimed to be. All that is left for mankind is to get acquainted with Him. Let him be your Lord. Ask him to reveal himself to you personally. Make Him your friend and learn of Him. If you have not known him, get to know him. He will touch your life. He will change you just as He stated. You will have wells of living water in you springing unto everlasting life. Revelation 1:8, Jesus continued “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end saith the Lord, which is and which was and which is to come the almighty.” Revelation 1: 17-18: “Fear not; I am the first and the last. I am He that liveth and was dead; and behold I am alive forever more, Amen and have the key of Hell and death.” Who is Jesus? He is the son of the living God. He is our redeemer. He is our restorer. He is our counselor. He is our savior. He is our righteousness. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The Mighty Conqueror. That is who He is. The Giver of Life.If this study and discussion has touched you, please let us know. And if you did not believe that He is the Christ and this study and discussion has opened your eyes let us know. Email:
mtzioncog7.org
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