Jesus Revealed
Christmas 2023 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Last week we began our Christmas Series. Last week we suggested that the entire Bible points to the Messiah, who we know is Jesus.
We said that each of the major sections of the Bible points to Jesus in a different way.
Jesus is predicted in the Old Testament.
Jesus is revealed in the Gospels.
Jesus is preached in the book of Acts.
Jesus is explained in the Epistles.
And Jesus is expected in the book of Revelation.
Last week we began our study by looking at a couple of passages in the Old Testament that showed how Jesus was predicted—God’s Messiah would come.
This week we want to look at five passages in the Gospels that reveal Jesus. Once again, this week we are going to do a bit of passage hopping. So I hope that you have your Bibles and will follow along. We will begin in the Gospel of Luke. So If you have your Bibles, and I hope that you do, turn with me to Luke chapter 2 and we’ll begin looking at verse 25.
Jesus Revealed as Israel’s Salvation
Jesus Revealed as Israel’s Salvation
We could start with the Christmas Story as part of the Bible’s revelation of Jesus, but I want to save that for Christmas Eve Sunday.
So this morning, I want to start with the story of a man named Simeon. Let’s begin by looking at our first passage. Luke 2:25.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
Simeon lived in Jerusalem.
He was righteous.
And he was devout.
He was waiting for—anticipating—Israel’s Messiah.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
The Holy Spirit had told him that he would see the Messiah before he died—on of the reasons he was anticipating Israel’s deliverer.
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
No coincidence here!
Moved by the Spirit of God, Simeon went to the temple courts.
It was at the same time that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to do all the customs the Law required of them for a first born child.
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Simeon took the baby—Jesus—and held him, praising God.
Simeon’s Prayer
—Simeon rejoices because God fulfilled His promise to him!
—Simeon says he can die in peace now. . .
—Why, because Simeon has seen the Lord’s Salvation.
—God’s Salvation is not a secret, it was prepared in the sight of all nations.
—And this Salvation will bring glory to God’s people, Israel.
—But this Salvation will also be a revelation to the Gentiles!
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Even after the announcement by the angels, and the Shepherds coming for a visit—Mary and Joseph were still amazed, astonished, or marveled and what Simeon said about Jesus.
Jesus Revealed as Israel’s Teacher
Jesus Revealed as Israel’s Teacher
Before we leave Luke there is one more story about Jesus’ childhood that seems to reveal Him as Israel’s Salvation.
Skip down to verse 41. There we read:
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
Joseph and Mary were in the habit of going and celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem.
This was a custom that they kept.
When Jesus was 12 years old they went to the festival of Passover—according to the custom—this was normal for them.
When the Passover celebration was over, they began to travel home. Verse 44 tells us that Joseph and Mary thought Jesus was with the group of friends and relatives that were returning home and were about a day’s walk away from Jerusalem. That’s when they realized he was not with them.
Frantic, they searched for Jesus and according to verse 45 they went back to Jerusalem (about a day’s walk—or the second day) to look for Jesus
Now let’s pick up the story in verse 46.
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
On the third day, they found Jesus in the temple courts.
Where he was sitting among the teachers—Jerusalem’s leading religious scholars.
He was doing two things:
—He was listening to them
—And he was asking them questions.
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Everyone who heard Jesus (a 12 year-old boy) was:
—Amazed at his understanding.
—And amazed by his answers (so this must have been an on going discussion.
When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
When His parents see Jesus—a 12 year-old kid—talking with the religious leaders they were “astonished.” This is NOT normal 12 year-old behavior!
When His parents see Jesus—a 12 year-old kid—talking with the religious leaders they were “astonished.” This is NOT normal 12 year-old behavior!
So Mary begins to get on to Jesus, “Why have you treated us this way. . .” Or to put it another way, “Why did you scare us to death—we couldn’t find you?
I love Jesus response.
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
Why were you frantically searching for me?
Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s House (KJV— “about my Father’s business). The phrase translated “in my Father’s house” is an idiom that scholars believe refers to the necessity of Jesus being involved in the instruction about God.
But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Again, Joseph and Mary were unable to grasp the significance of this event.
Jesus Revealed as Miracle Worker
Jesus Revealed as Miracle Worker
Now let’s look at a passage in the book of John. Turn with me to John chapter 2. And we’ll look at Jesus revealed as Miracle Worker.
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
So we have a wedding taking place.
Jesus’ mother, Mary was at the wedding.
And Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding—so they are there.
Now we are told that at this wedding there is a problem. Look at the first part of verse 3.
When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
NOTICE—they are out of wine! No more wine! This is a catastrophe, the wine is GONE!
So Mary goes to Jesus and say— “Jesus, we have a problem. There is NO MORE WINE!
“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
This first response— Woman, why do you involve me? has two interesting parts.
Jesus uses the designation “woman.” Not the denoting the family connection. While not disrespectful, it is an interesting change.
The second part is an idiom, that was basically used to say, “What do you expect me to do—because this is none of my business.”
This is followed up by a statement by Jesus saying, “My hour has not yet come.” Seems to denote that while Jesus is beginning His earthly ministry, it is NOT time for Him to begin preforming miracles!
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Undaunted by His response, Mary tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do!
You probably know the rest of the story.
Jesus looks around and sees six stone pots, each about 20 to 30 gallons in size.
He tells the servants to fill them with water—ALL the way to the very top!
Then He tells them to draw out some of the “water” and take it to the master of the banquet—to the caterer.
So they do, and the master of the banquet tastes the “water” that is now “wine” and wants to know where it came from.
He goes to the bridegroom to figure out what is going on—because this wine is the best wine he’s ever tasted.
and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
He tells the groom, “Dude, you did this backwards! Why did you save the best for now, when everyone is soused?”
What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Finally, in verse 11 we are told that this was Jesus’ first miracle,
This miracle revealed His glory!
And this miracle helped His disciples to believe in Him!
Jesus Revealed as God’s Son
Jesus Revealed as God’s Son
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
So John the Baptizer (Baptist) is out in the wilderness by the Jordan—and he’s baptizing people.
Jesus goes there to be baptized by John—to identify with John’s teachings.
Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
As Jesus was brought up from under the water (baptism by immersion is suggested here by the language),
— Jesus saw heaven torn open.
— He saw the Spirit descending on him like a dove—this is similar to some of the Old Testament characters that were empowered by the Holy Spirit for a specific time and task—in this case the Spirit is confirming who Jesus is!
—Finally, there the the Father’s commissioning—This is my Son! I love Him! And I am well pleased with Him!
Jesus Revealed as the Resurrected Lord
Jesus Revealed as the Resurrected Lord
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
This passage tells us that Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary went to the tomb—parallel passages tells that some other women were also with them.
Nevertheless—the women went to the tomb—again other passages tell us they went to finish the burial rituals for Jesus.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
There was an earthquake—a violent one!
The angel of the Lord came down.
This angel went to the tomb, and rolled the stone back from the opening.
And then the angel sat down on the stone and waited!
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
Now we get a description of this angel!
His appearance was like lightning.
His clothes were white as snow.
Now we’re going to get the guards reaction to the angel.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The guards were scared to death!
—They were so afraid that they shook.
—And they became like dead men!
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
Don’t be afraid—the angel knew the women were afraid!
I know you are looking for the crucified Jesus.
But He’s not here! He has risen, just like He said He would.
Check it out—look where Jesus used to lay.
Now, I’ve got a job for you! Go tell His disciples that he has risen from the dead.
And tell them that He has gone on ahead of them to Galilee and they will see Him there!
Now, go! Deliver the message!
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
So the women hurry away from the tomb.
And now, instead of sadness they are filled with joy!
And they run to deliver the message to His disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
I love this phrase— “Suddenly.” In the Greek, it is a term that is often translated behold. It indicates an interruption of the action, or a need to see, look at, or hear.
Suddenly, Jesus met them!
He greets the women, while the women held onto His feet.
And they worshiped Him.
Jesus gives them the same assignment that the angel gave them:
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Don’t be afraid. I find it interesting that even though Jesus tells them not to be afraid, it doesn’t seem like the women are that afraid. They are laying at His feet worshiping Him!
Then He tells them to go tell His “brothers” or disciples to go to Galilee and He will meet them there.
Jesus is seen as the resurrected Lord
The women recognize Him!
They fall at His feet and worship Him!
And He gives the women a job to do for Him!
So What?
So What?
We began the message by saying that Jesus is revealed in the Gospels. We have taken a few selective passages to make this point, but we could have chosen so many other passages!
We have seen today that Jesus is revealed in the Gospels as:
As the Savior—Messiah—of both Israel and the World!
As the Teacher—Jesus is revealed as not only Israel’s great teacher, but as the great teacher with a message for the entire world.
As a Miracle Worker—Jesus turned the water into wine (and He did so many other great miracles)—which should remind us that He can do, and does miracles today!
As God’s Son—loved and pleasing to the Father. God’s Son to whom we should listen!
And finally as Resurrected LORD!—Knowing Jesus as Lord should motivate us to share with everyone we meet!
This morning, we are reminded that throughout the Christmas Season, the Gospels point us to the exciting hope of our Messiah—our Immanuel—God with us!