Jesus: Beyond Perception

The Whole World Wants to Know

Some 2000 years ago an entire group of people were calling for the arrival of their messiah. He was to be someone from a

-Davidic Line and would subdue Israel’s enemies

-He was to be a Warrior and conquer the government

-Priestly Messiah would mediate between Yahweh and Israel

-Prophetic Messiah would be like Moses ushering in Holiness and Justice

-Son of God would bring about salvation

When He arrived many who were waiting on Him could not perceive Him.

Time Magazine

64- Declares a Christian Renewal

88- asks Who is Jesus?

96- The Search for Jesus

99- Jesus at 2000 (the New Gospel based on Archaeology)

01- What Jesus Saw

23: Who do you believe Jesus to be

Newsweek

March 2005: From Jesus to Christ

Jesus is presented to the reader in two parts “Not what they had come to now “ and Raises questions about Jesus:

Did Jesus understand His relationship with the God?

Did He understand His atoning role?

The author of the article a well known theologian presents that what we know about Jesus may simply be an unhistorical account.

Notice the transition from a bold declaration of a Christian revival to a plethora of questions defying the identity of Jesus.

In 2022, Who is Jesus remains one of the most searched queries online rivaled only by Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber.

This shows that people here in the United States are still searching for answers on who Jesus is, yet their priority in finding out is superceded by the latest fashions and unending dramas provided by the likes of Kim and Justin.

At present we arrive at one of the greatest quandaries of our time that is met with as much urgency as it is filled with the depth of who Jesus is.

How we answer who Jesus is will tell of what we believe about the The Work of the Cross

Mark 8:27–29 ESV

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

Who do people say I am appears in the three synoptic Gospels. (importance of this question)

As they are walking to the villages of Caesarea Philippi

conversation occured… it was not a single question

as they were departing from Jesus cautioning them from consuming the leaven of the Religious Sects

they had witnessed Him at work and had heard what the masses said but now they were being asked to answer for themselves

They gave the answers they had heard

Now, who do you say that I am

not stump the chump

We are in communion you need to know for yourself who I am

Peter is the only one recorded to answer

The Christ anointed sent one, redeemer

The Son of the Living God

in lesser words You are the One we have been waiting for Messiah

fulfilled the requirement of Davidic Line, Priestly/Prophetic Messiah, The One Sent from Heaven.

Jesus was searching their hearts to know if they knew who He was .

It mattered to Jesus for them believe in the right Jesus, the right messiah, and rightly ascribe to Him Lordship as the one true God. It is just as important to Him know that we get to know who He really is.

Divinity on Display

John 10:24–30 ESV

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Having placed His identity on display there are still many who do not yet believe… their religions was in the way.

Three ways of finding if Jesus is God

Titles ascribed to Him

Son of God

One with the Father or; Jesus is God

Divine Functions

Shepherd of the Flock

The work He does is that of God

Giver of eternal life

Protector

God is greater than all, therefore Jesus Greater than all

Worship Received

the sheep follow Him

John 5:19-20 Jesus declares He only does what He sees the Father do

John 1:18 He sees God because He is God who is seated by The Father…

John 12:49 Jesus only Speaks what the Father says

John 20:21 Jesus is sent by the Father and Goes where the Father sends Him...

as He is sent so He sends us

The question about His humanity is never really seen in the NT, in other words His Humanity is obvious, to contend against the heresies about His divinity in the very actions He takes we note divinity.

Jesus declares Himself to be God and we note both in Scripture and Historical accounts Titles ascribed; Divine Work; and Worship as God (friends and enemies alike) (Centurion, Disciples, Historians)

To Know is To Love

John 14:15 ESV

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

The implication is that we know His commands

Can we love something we do not know… the very word Love is an action that is defined in God alone

The greatest command is to Love the Lord your God with all you heart mind and soul… again the implication to get to know

Exodus 20:4 ESV

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Today inside the church we have a variety of beliefs about who Jesus is…

some only believe Him to only be Human

Some believe He was only God

Our salvation comes from Him alone… If we do not know Him how do we confess in Him… We can no longer go about professing a legend or lore once told by someone… we (each one) must come to the understanding of who He is in His plenitude.

Today if you do not know the real Jesus lets commit to getting to know who He is… that we will not rest until we know Him as He desires us to know Him…

We do not worship a Jesus who is a god amongst many but in Himself is God… tempted and tried as a human… and is now seated at the right hand of God.

He is not found in Kim K. or Justin B. yet supersedes their Fan Star Power… He is not found in our imagination or fascinations… He is more than our perceptions or indoctrinations may lead us.

Jesus is the long awaited Messiah the expected King and liberator, the Christ anointed one sent of God Son of God redeemer.