The Person of Christ

PREFACE

The focus of a Christian should be the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact as Christians we bear his name, and we should carry his likeness. The apostle reminds us in Philippians to remain looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith. This article will be looking briefly at five aspects and truths of the Lord Jesus. We will view his humanity, his heritage, his character of humility, the truth of his holiness and his deity as well as the honour that the father has given him.

Scripture Reads:

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:6-11

Humanity

Philippians 2 gives possibly one of the best summaries and outlines on the person of Christ. The first section of this article we find addressed in verse 7 and 8, here we read of the one in the likeness and fashion of a man. The doctrine of humanity is presented clearly through the Gospels and the Epistles. He is indeed born of woman (genetically) the son of David (genealogically) and called the son of man or the man Christ Jesus (generally). We can also observe that he had the needs of a human body, he hungered, he thirsted, he wearied, he sorrowed, and he felt pain. Physically and emotionally we can observe his human traits, I encourage the reader to search up more for themselves. However there is on trait that he never carried and that is the trait we inherit through our forefather Adam, the nature of sin. This is why the listed passage states that he was made in the likeness of man, and Romans says the likeness of sinful flesh(8:3). The Lord Jesus was altogether like us and tried even like unto us however he was apart from sin(Heb. 4:15). This doctrine will be discussed further as we look into his holiness. However now we will shift to observe his heritage, the son of Mary.

Heritage

The origin of Christ is presented in three of the Gospels, Matthew, Luke, and John. Each recording or the lack thereof reveals a different aspect of the character of Christ. Each aspect is in keeping with the general theme of the record account.

The Gospel of Matthew brings to the forefront the one whom is the Son of David. Matthew’s account records from Abraham to his earthly father and his mother Joseph and Mary however the emphasis is undoubtedly placed on the royal bloodline of David the King. Matthew reveals to us the rightful heir to the throne of David, presenting Christ in his majesty.

The Gospel of Mark does not record a genealogy of the Lord Jesus, this is in keeping with Marks theme, and the theme we have presented in Philippians 2:7. Christ the perfect and humble servant. Mark presents the one who moved as the perfect servant, who moved in obedience, and in humility. Mark reveals to us the person of Christ in his modesty.

The Gospel of Luke records the genealogy of the one who can be traced back to Adam, the first man. It should be no surprise that the physician focuses and reveals the perfect man, the true humanity of Christ we’ve discussed. The record of the doctor reveals the Christ and his manhood.*

The Gospel of John does not include a genealogy, however verse one is a statement of origin. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God.” This verse defines Christ as a member of the Godhead, the he coexists with the father, and that he always was, even from before the beginning of time and mater. John in his record introduces us to the Christ, the Son of God. If Matthew introduces us to the majesty of the King, Mark to the modest servant, Luke to the impeccable man, then John introduces us to the marvel of his deity.

Humility

Yet even though he was the Son of God, the heir to the throne of David, the man Christ Jesus took the form of a servant. The Lord Jesus moved in perfect humility taking even the least of places. Recorded we have the Lord Jesus who would wash his disciples feet, associate with the publicans and sinners, the babe who was laid in Bethlehem’s manger. The Lord Jesus displayed perfectly the servants form. The above passage in Philippians describes his humility “But made himself of no reputation… humbled himself, and became obedient unto death…” Though we can notice and observe throughout the gospel accounts the lowly place taken of the lord Jesus the miracle of grace we observe is this, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners(1Tim. 1:15). The one whom became obedient to death even the death of the cross, is none other than the son of Mary, the son of David, the son of God. May we marvel at this display as he would empty himself. No truer display of love and humility do we notice than this. I encourage the reader to note the parallels of the characteristics of Christ with the characteristics of love given in 1 Corinthians 13. Is it any wonder the father proclaims “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased”(Luke 2:22).

Holiness

In Him is no sin(1John. 3:5), who did no sin(1Pet. 2:22), who knew no sin(2Cor. 5:21). The unblemished and sinless life of the Lord Jesus is a critical theme to the doctrine of his holiness. Also under the doctrine of his holiness we find his sonship and his eternal deity.

The Lord Jesus Christ was, is and remains sinless. We find the proof of his sinlessness in Matthew (4:1-11), Mark (1:12-13), and Luke (4:1-13) as he is tried by the devil forty days and yet yields not to sin. The author of Hebrews could say “but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”(4:15) James affirms us that there is nothing in him to respond to evil for he is holy. (1:13)

It is no marvel when looking at his sinlessness that we have recorded the declaration of the Father “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”(Mat.17:5) Christ the Son of God in whom dwelt the Father's delight, this is the one who would follow in obedience even unto the death of cross. The author of Hebrews would confirm the special place of the Saviour as he would write

"For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?” (1:5)

Yes the one who held the place greater than that of the angels the eternal Son, he is the one of whom we read became a little lower than the angels (Heb. 2:9), and from Isaiah “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him”(53:10)

We’ve observed his sinlessness, his sonship and we can refer back to where we’ve already looked in John 1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God.” where we see not only his eternal sonship, that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God but also that he was God. The Lord Jesus was God and he remains today as God. The Lord Jesus is one person and member of the Triune Godhead. The Lord Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins because he was God, he was himself the “Offended Party” if we can use those terms. The deity of the Lord Jesus is as essential a doctrine to the Gospel as his sonship, and sinlessness for without that position he could pardon or interned for us. Yet he met the qualifications and now we see him seated at the right hand in glory.

Honour

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow”.(Php 2.9-10) It is a marvellous picture presented that our Lord is now exalted in glory. Stephen saw the glory to which he was exalted and could proclaim it to his persecutors “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56) The once rejected Lord is now crowned with Glory. The one who took on the form of a servant is the one who will be coming again to take the throne. As Christians we await his coming when he will call us up from the world in which we live and we shall see him face to face, he will be the one seated on the throne and we will reign with him