Introducing the Incarnate God - Self Revelation

Introduction

Outline

Introducing the Incarnate God so that we might believe and have eternal life – John 1:1-18

Jesus as Pre-existent God

Jesus; the eternal God – John1:1-2

Jesus; the high creator – John1:3

Jesus; life itself – John1:4

Jesus; the truth light – John1:4-5

Self-revelation of a pre-existent God.

A man sent that we might believe – John 1:6-8

Failure to believe; failure to live – John 1:9-11

The right to life – John 1:12-13

Rivers of grace from a pre-existent God – John 1:14-18

A tabernacling God – John 1:14

Glory of the One and Only – John 1:14

Grace and Truth – John 1:14

The High-Ranking God – John 1:15

Fullness of Grace – John 1:16

Law and Christ – John 1:17

Invisible God Revealed – John 1:18

Sermon Body

Introducing the Incarnate God so that we might believe and have eternal life – John 1:1-18

Jesus as Pre-existent God

Jesus; the eternal God – John1:1-2

Jesus; the high creator – John1:3

Jesus; life itself – John1:4

Jesus; the truth light – John 1:4-5.

This entire section of God coming to reveal himself and Jesus’ coming ought to be prefaced with a few notes about the Intertestamental Period. A bit of history and context to what is going on at the time of Christ is helpful.

Where might you turn to find the historical context (or other commentary and helps) surrounding the scripture you are studying?

Commentaries

Biblical encyclopedias

Study bible notes

Trusted and recommended commentaries

John MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series

Word Biblical Commentary (Heavier)

Pillar New Testament Commentary

The NIV Application Commentary

The New American Commentary

Matthew Henry

Commentaries by Warren W. Wiersbe

Leon Morris

Douglas Moo

Intertestamental Time Period

Get simplified timeline to show as I talk through this….

This history and context comes courtesy of John MacArthur in his commentary and study bible notes.

Over 400 years separated the final events (Neh 13:4-30) and the final prophecy (Mal 1:1-4:6) recorded in the OT (ca. 424 B.C.) from the beginning of the NT recorded events in Luke 1:5-25.

The word of God that came to Zechariah, which we will come back to shortly, was the first prophetic word given since the prophecy given to Malachi over 400 years prior. All had been silent since.

They are sometimes referred to as “The Silent Years.”

However, the course of history that unfolded during that time was still under the direct control of God and unfolded exactly as Daniel said it would. (Daniel 2:24, 45; 7:1-28; 8:1-27; 11:1-35).

Daniel 2:39, 40; 7:5-7 - Control of the land of Israel passed from the empire of Medo-Persia to Greece and then to Rome.

For 200 years, the Persian Empire ruled the Jews (539-332 BC).

The Persians allowed the Jews to return, rebuild, and worship at the temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1-4)

For about 100 years after the close of the OT canon, Judea continued to be a Persian territory under the governor of Syria with the High-Priest exercising a measure of civil authority. The Jews were allowed to observe their religious tenets without any official government interference.

Between 334 BC and 331 BC, Alexander the Great defeated the Persian King, Darius III. The land of Israel passed into Greek control in 332 BC. (Dan 8:5-7, 20, 21; 11:3).

Alexander also permitted the Jews in Judea to observe their laws and granted them exemptions from taxes during their sabbatical years.

However, Alexander sought to bring the Greek culture known as Hellenism to the lands which he conquered and controlled. He wanted the Greek language and thinking to unite the world as one. This posed a great threat to Israel and their pursuit of God as the way of life, though attractive and appealing, was as ungodly as Baal worship.

Define and explain Hellenism a bit more….

When Alexander died in 323BC, the empire ended up being divided when he generals struggled for control. (Daniel 8:22; 11:4).

Ptolemy I Sater, founder of Ptolemies of Egypt, took control of Israel, even though an agreement in 301BC assigned it to Seleucus I Nicator, founder of Seleucids of Syria.

This caused continuing tension between Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties (Daniel 11:5).

The Ptolemies ruled Judea from 301BC to 198BC (Daniel 11:6-12).

Under the Ptolemies, the Jews had comparative religious freedom in a setting of economic oppression.

In 198 BC, Antiochus III the Great defeated Ptolemy V Epiphanes and took control of Palastine (Daniel 11:13-16).

Judea was under Seleucid rule until 143BC (Daniel 11:17-35).

Early Seleucid toleration of Jewish religious practices came to an end in the right of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164BC).

Antiochus desecrated and plundered the temple in 170BC.

In 167 BC, Antiochus ordered Hellenization in Palestine and forbade the Jews from keeping their laws, observing the Sabbath, keeping festivals, offering sacrifices, and circumcising their children.

Copies of the Torah were destroyed, page idols were erected, and the Jews were commanded by Antiochus to offer unclean sacrifices and to eat swine flesh.

Antiochus was the first pagan monarch to persecute the Jews for their faith (Daniel 8:9-14, 23-25; 11:21-35.)

An aged priest, Mattathias, and his five sons, led the Jewish resistance against Antiochus and his Seleucid successors. This was known as the Maccabean Revolt because Judas Maccabeus (Lit. “Hammer”) was the first leader among the five sons.

After a 24 year struggle (162-142BC), the Jews gained their freedom from Syria because Roman pressure on the Seleucids was growing.

Mattathias descendents founded the Hasmonean dynasty and took over the office of High-Priest even though did they not have right to do so. (Numbers 25:10-13; Eze 40:46; 48:11).

The Hasmoneans become Hellenists despite first rejecting it.

The Greek influence pervaded Palestine from 142BC to 63BC.

In 63BC, Aristobolus II and Hyrcanus II clashed over the high priesthood. Pompey, a general of Rome, stepped in and the land passed into Roman control (Daniel 2:40; 7:7).

Because of continued unrest, the Romans made Herod the Great King of Judea.

Herod was an Idumean by birth, a Jewish proselyte, and thoroughly Greco-Roman in outlook.

He ruled Palestine from 37BC to 4BC and was King of the Jews when Jesus was born (Matthew 2:1-2).

This is the context of the past 400 years that have led us to time of Christ.

This understanding begins to help us understand the current state of things.

After 400 years of foreign control, some or most of that limiting their ability to worship as instructed, they are ready for a political deliverance. Explains, in part, why they were only looking for a physical deliverer.

It helps us understand how Israel got where they are physically and spiritually.

Later, we will speak to the Pharisees and Sadducees, but understanding the Hellenistic way of thinking that Israel was subject to for so long puts into perspective some the worldly thinking that crept into the Jewish minds.

It is into this context that God inserts His son, the pre-existent second person of the Trinity.

He comes and reveals himself through a prophesied prophet.

Self-revelation of a pre-existent God.

A man sent that we might believe – John 1:6-8

John 1:6–8 ESV

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

Consider the synoptics accounts.

Matthew 3:1-11.

Matthew 3:1–12 ESV

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ” 4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 3:3 - Cited from Isaiah 40:3.

Mark 1:1-3.

Mark 1:1–3 ESV

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”

Mark 1:2 - Cited from Malachi 3:1.

Note that some manuscripts read “the prophets.”

Luke 3:2-16.

Luke 3:2–16 ESV

2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ” 7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” 15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Vs. 4 - Cited from Isaiah 40:3-5.

It has long been prophesied that one would come in the spirit and power of Elijah and that that one would prepare the way for the Messiah.

Jesus himself declares that John the Baptist is that person.

A man Sent from God - Consider Jesus own words. Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27.

Matthew 11:7–15 ESV

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 7:27 reads the same as Matthew.

Point is, BOTH Isaiah and Malachi (which is why some manuscripts read “prophets” spoke of this one that was to come prior to Christ and bear witness and prepare the way.

This messenger is clearly identified as John the Baptist

Matthew 3:3; 11:10,14; 17:22ff.

Mark 1:2.

Luke 1:17; 7:26-27.

John 1:23.

Luke 1:1-80. John the Baptist’s birth and ministry proclaimed.

Read this passage….speak to the moving of the Holy Spirit upon Zechariah and Elizabeth as well as to their prayers/songs and prophesies, particularly Zecariah’s.

A man was prophesied to come

That man came

That man was John

Before we move on…please note the significance of this.

GOD SENT

God prophesied and promised TO SEND

God took the initiative.

God came near

And God sent a man to prepare the way for that one.

He came to bear witness...

About the light - John 1:7.

He was not the light - John 1:8.

But came to bear witness about the light - John 1:8.

That all might believe through Him. John 1:7.

Failure to believe; failure to live – John 1:9-11

John 1:9–11 ESV

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

The right to life – John 1:12-13

John 1:12–13 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

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Conclusion