Jesus is often viewed as the “Good Shepherd.”
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The Jesus of my youth
What is your impression of Jesus? Do you see Him in His Christmas image as an innocent baby lying in a manger with wise men coming to see Him, angels praising Him, and a king trying to find and kill Him? Or, do you see Him in His Preacher image, as a kind, itinerant preacher who goes around delivering inspired sermons while healing all those who are suffering and need Him? Perhaps you see Him in His Easter image as the Jesus who sacrificed Himself by dying a horrible death on a cross, only to rise from the dead on the third day and then ascend to heaven as our savior and Lord. I think most Christians see Jesus in all of these forms. We may have a sentimental attachment to one over another, but the composite Jesus is nothing less than the Son of God, who died for our sins, and who lives today preparing a place for us in heaven. No matter what image you have of Jesus, after 2,000+ years, this humble preacher from Nazareth, who had no money, no political power, and was not born into a family of influence, has become probably the most worshipped, loved, and written about person who ever lived! Have you ever asked yourself, “How was that possible?” in a day and age when the communication of major events was not worldwide and as instantaneous as it is today?
As a teenager, the full meaning of His title, “The Son of God,” didn’t fully sink in to the point where I really understood all its implications. This blog is intended to explore what maybe some have missed about the full personage of Jesus.
A Revelation
As an adult, I attended a Bible study on Colossians. I had never read Colossians before, and was particularly amazed at what Chapter 1, verses15-18 said. [Note: I have blended various translations of these verses to highlight and clarify what (I believe) each verse has to say. I encourage you to check out all translations to see what it says to you.]
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (NKJV).
17 And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] He was there before anything was made, and all things continue because of him. (AMP)
18 He is the head of the body, which is the church. Everything comes from him. He is the first one who was raised from the dead. So in all things, Jesus has first place. (NCV)
My mind was blown! If THIS is what it means to be the Son of God, imagine what it means to be God, the Father (The Ancient of Days). No other verse paints such a clear picture of who Jesus has always been. In that light, maybe you can begin to understand why so many people across the centuries have accepted and followed His teachings. Let’s break it down and reflect on what this set of verses is telling us:
- JESUS’ IMAGE: Jesus is the very image of God. To see Jesus is to see God. The book of Genesis tells us that we are made in the image of God. But to be made in the image is not the same as being the image. Colossians brings new meaning to the creation story in that we were made in the image of God by Jesus, who is the very image of God. This verse gives testimony to what is meant by the concept of the Trinity – All three images of God are one (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
- JESUS AS CREATOR: By Him, all things were created! As a teen, I did not see Jesus in this role. He was a great teacher, and (as the Son of God), He was able to save us from our sins. I got that. But this verse ascribes a much higher role for Jesus! Now, when I read the creation story in Genesis, I see that Jesus created:
- All things in heaven and on Earth,
- All things visible and invisible,
- All thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities,
Everything was created through Him, and for Him – over all six days of creation! Imagine that! Jesus made us, then He saved us!
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- He Himself existed and is before all things. Have you ever thought of Jesus as having been around since the very beginning of time?
- In Him all things hold together. Jesus literally holds us together, even when we are not aware of it. This is not meant in the sense of holding us together as when we’re emotionally falling apart. He (Jesus) can do that too. But here it means that the very atoms that make up our body are held in place by Jesus. Without Him, we’d literally fly apart!
This is what Jesus left behind in heaven when He came to Earth to live a life as one of us.
- JESUS AS HEAD: He is the head of the Body, that is, the image of the Church. All parts of the Church are held together by Him.
- JESUS AS FIRSTBORN OF THE DEAD: He is the beginning of our New Life with God. The old things (flesh) will pass away, but the new things (spirit) will last forever. Thus, in all things, Jesus has first place. This is one of the reasons why we worship Him — He is our leader.
WHY is all the above necessary? So that, in everything, Jesus would be the ultimate supreme authority over everything. “The buck truly stops with Jesus!”
Knowing that makes it even more amazing when you appreciate what Jesus did when He came to live with us. Philippians 2 challenges us to do what Jesus did:
5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead, he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 CSB
This brings it all back full circle. The Jesus we see in the New Testament is an accurate reflection of the God we see in the Old Testament. Halleluiah!
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