So amazing is God’s plan of redemption that God knew the right time for Jesus to be born to accomplish His purpose (Galatians 4:4). From the beginning God began to move an ancestral line which would bring about the birth of Jesus Christ, you can read this in (Matthew 1:1-17) (Luke 3:23-38), and the thought and care it took for God to bring us His Son, in His right time, is incredible. This was not something that should have caught anyone by surprise, Moses and the prophets had spoken of His coming for many years (Isaiah 7:14) (Isaiah 9:6-7) (Micah 5:2). But He was rejected, and even today man still rejects the truth of who He is and why He came.
What do you think of when you hear the term “King”? – What defines a King in your thinking? Usually we think of Kings as wielding great power, having great wealth, great fame, one who rules a vast kingdom with servants and someone who is feared. For the Jewish people the term King implied a political ruler who would arrive in glory and free them from Roman oppression, one who would restore the grandeur of David’s throne on earth. They eagerly anticipated this, and their prophets had long proclaimed a coming Messiah who would be God’s chosen one to free them. Imagine this is the King you are waiting for, who will lead Israel’s armies to victory. Now, imagine your people are oppressed, you have had enough, your anger towards your oppressor is at a boiling point, the time has come, you’ve heard that the King is on His way and your deliverance is going to happen today, today we will take back the place of rule from Rome, and establish David’s throne again. Surely Jesus will rise up against the Romans? Right? Call upon his armies to bring about deliverance? Right? Then Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, He comes gentle and riding on a donkey. Leaving them with the question…. “Who is this?” (Matthew 21:1-11) (Mark 11:1-11) (Luke 19:28-38) (John 12:12-19). Just what is so special about Jesus?
What is in His name?
- Jesus – means – God is Savior
- Immanuel – means – God is with us
- Jesus is – Mighty God – Everlasting Father – (Isaiah 9:6-7)
- He was manifested in the flesh – (1 Timothy 3:16)
- Jesus Himself proclaimed to be a King with a kingdom (John 18:33-37)
- After His resurrection, Jesus claimed the extent of His rule
- Read: (Matthew 28:18) (Ephesians 1:19-23)
- His Kingship and kingdom are proclaimed in the book of Revelation
- He is the ruler over the kings of the earth – (Revelation 1:5)
- Those in Christ Jesus are in His kingdom – (Revelation 1:9)
- Those who persevere to the end will rule with Him even as He now reigns (Revelation 3:19-21)
- He is truly “Lord of lords and King of kings – (Revelation 17:14) (Revelation 19:11-16)
- He alone has the power to save sinners
- He can cleanse you from sin – His blood is the atonement for our sins
- Read: (Psalm 103:11-12) (Romans 5:8-9)
- He can bring us near to God – (Ephesians 2:11-22)
- He has the power to secure the believer – when Jesus saves – He does it for all eternity
- Read: (John 6:37-40) (1 Peter 1:3-5)
- He is our Redeemer – (1 Peter 1:18-19)
- We have been released from the bondage of sin through the payment of Jesus’ blood at the cross – (Matthew 20:28)
- In Christ we have forgiveness, remission (release or pardon from bondage or imprisonment) of our sin (Ephesians 1:7) (Colossians 1:12-14)
- In Him we have all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3)
- The Christian (as defined by Scripture) is complete in Him (Colossians 2:10)
- He has reconciled all things to Himself (Colossians 2:20)
- Through the death of His Son, it is now possible for sinful man to be reconciled to God (Colossians 1:20-22) (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
Who is this? – This is the question that each person must ask and answer in agreement with the Scriptures (Luke 9:18-20)