Is Jesus your prophet?
Is Jesus your Savior?
Is Jesus your King?
Is Jesus God's presence in your life?
Introduction
The Hebrew writer said, "but we see Jesus...." What a magnificent summary of a life that provides forgiveness. The same writer wrote "consider Him" (fix your thoughts on him) and fix your eyes on him.
In John 12:20, Greeks came to some of the disciples and said, "We want to see Jesus." Other passages and events in history could be cited, but the fact remains that everyone needs to see Jesus more clearly. Our tendency is to see only that part of Jesus which appeals to our needs or backgrounds or preferences.
Paul said in 1 Cor. 1 that the Greeks seek wisdom, and the Jews seek a sign. Jesus knew during his ministry that there were wisdom seekers and sign seekers. Those who seek wisdom are most interested in debate and dialogue on theological and philosophical issues of the day. Such are seldom genuinely committed to the truth they purport to seek. Those who seek signs profess to believe more strongly if only they can see, walking by sight and not by faith.
Expansion
John 12:20 occurs in the context of the passion week, and now we approach that time (we don't know exactly, but our spring season is the time of the Passover and undoubtedly the time of Jesus' death). Jesus in our text demands a verdict, now that it is passion week. The time for indecision is over, the time for choosing is at hand. Those who would be disciples must lose their life and hate their life in this world in order to save it. Unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Whoever serves me must follow me wherever I may go (verses 25-26). When the story of Jesus is clearly in view, the time for talking and maybes and casual followers is over.
Today questions about Jesus are still being asked today; the major religions of the world give various answers.
Over the next two weeks, our study will not be about world religions, but about four men who saw Jesus firsthand, and present to us together a integrated view of Jesus. You may prefer one over the other, but all are a part of God's plan for us to see Jesus. _________________________________________
MATTHEW
I want you to put on your OT hat--Matthew is a Jewish book. It is a "this happened to fulfill Scripture" book.
Jesus is the promised, prophesied Savior. Jer. 33:14-16; Matt. 1:18-23; 2:1-5.
God's purpose undergirds his promise.
Jesus is Savior, Jesus, 1:18, 28:19, baptism
Jesus is God with us, Emmanuel, with you now in person, then in spirit Jesus is King, Messiah (he is a certain kind of king, a servant king, a non-coercive king), 2:6 and 28:18, all authority
Jesus is God's presence, and when he leaves, God's presence stays. This is the contrast of Mt. 1 and Mt. 28.
In Matthew's gospel, several internal clues to understanding the book, and to understanding Jesus. First, there is an internal outline, from that time on....4:17; 16:21. Jesus comes first as Messiah, teaching and preaching and healing, 4:23, 9:35. Then he comes dying, 16:21; 17:22; 20:17.
Also, there are the alternating narrative and discourse sections, marked by the formula statement, when Jesus had finished these sayings, 7:28, 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1. It is this teaching of Jesus that makes clear that he comes as a prophet, but more than a prophet.
Surely he comes as a spokesman for God, speaking for God, heralding, even foretelling.
He comes also as a priest, with entree to God, in fact, Emmanuel.
He comes as a king.
When you see the Jesus of Matthew's gospel, I think you must see four things.
Is Jesus your prophet?
Is Jesus your Savior?
Is Jesus your King?
Is Jesus God's presence in your life?