Jesus: Person and Purpose

Proverbs 20:11

We are more than the sum of our actions, but we are not something other than what we do.

Matt 9:14

There are a number of people listed as present.

Disciples of Jesus

Disciples of John

Pharisees

1. Jesus is asked a simple question about what his disciples are doing.

2. To answer that question, Jesus needs to also tell them who he is and what he has come to do.

Matt 9:15

Who he is: the bridegroom.

John 3:22–36 ESV

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

What does it mean to be “taken”?

Burrial? Assention?

Matt 9:16-17

New is a relative term.

It is not alongside the old as a second option; the old has served its purpose.

This is not a condemnation on the old just and acknowledgment that it is done.

i.e. Home repair and remnants of old technology.

It is not an empowerment of the old but a replacements.

Neither example argues for the old above the new.

i.e. Milk box vs. refridgerator

It is a new means of a similar work; Redemption.

This is not a new religion. It’s a new means.

i.e. Wood stove vs forced air heating.

So What?

We are not Zionists.

We are not anti-semitists

We recognize the work that the old has done in setting a foundation for the new.

We learn from the old and we live in the new.