Job, in
the book which bears his name, expressed many a person’s dilemma. In chapter 23
are these words ‘Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even
to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with
arguments. I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would
say to me.’
There is
expressed Humankind’s problem regarding God. Where can he (if God is ‘He’) be
found. Where would a person look? If someone stumbled across him, how would he
be recognised? What if God never wanted to be found? When all of creation and
life is considered, the greatest of all mysteries remains God. Unless he chose
to reveal himself we would never find him.
Here is
the most awesome, wonderful, and at the same time, disturbing claim of the Judeo-Christian
Bible. The unseen God has revealed Himself. How? His existence is proclaimed
through creation (Romans 1:20). His character and intent He made known to
specific people, beginning with Adam and down the line to Noah, Abraham, Moses
and the prophets (Amos 3:7). The Lord God’s self-revelation culminated in the
Babe of Bethlehem, Emmanuel (God with us) who was given the Greek name Jesus
(in Hebrew, Joshua).
To us, the
strange revelation concerning God is that He is a tri-unity. That blows our mind.
Some parody the concept (to their judgement) others sidestep it as too hard to
grasp. However, God hasn’t left us in the dark on this. Genesis 1:26 and 31
begins the unveiling. The Aaronic threefold blessing stresses this mystery, as
does Isaiah’s vision (6:3) Daniel in 9:19, Paul (2 Corinthians 13:13 and the
Angels in Revelation 4:8. For me, it is when Jesus cries in agony on the cross “my
God, my God, why have you forsaken me” undergirds the uniqueness of the
eternal. Why did Jesus break the three fold emphasis? Emmanuel was on the
cross!
In John
10:30 Jesus makes an astounding claim: “The Father and I are one.” The Greek
word for ‘one’ is in the neuter gender and implies essence. Jesus asserts the
Father and He (and the Holy Spirit) are of the same essence. Here was a charge of blasphemy requiring death.
It didn’t happen then but it was the charge that the High Priest used to
justify the death penalty on Jesus (Matthew 26:63-65). The writer to the
Hebrews in chapter one makes the most astounding statements regarding Jesus. As
you read and examine what is written it takes your breath away and at the same
time (should) make you bow in gratitude and wonder. It amplifies what Jesus
said about Himself in John 14:8-11.
As those
who are disciples of the Lord Jesus we may find the doctrine of the Godhead beyond
us. It is to be accepted by faith. What we are called upon to believe is the
great faith statement of Thomas in John 20:28 “My Lord and my God!” (Psa 35:23).
Jesus never refuted it. How then does this Jesus measure up to the revelation
of Yahweh in the Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament)?
Yahweh Title Jesus
Exodus
3:14 I
AM John
8:58. 18:5-6
Isaiah
40:28. 66:2 Creator John
1:3. Col.1:16
Isaiah
45:22. 43:11 Saviour John 4:42.
Titus 1:3-4
Isaiah
60:19-20. Light John 8:12
Isaiah
41:4. First
& Last Revelation
22:13
Timothy
1:17. 6:14-16 Lord of
lords Revelation
17:14.19:16
King
of kings
These are a selection of passages showing the identity of Yahweh and Jesus to be one
and the same. The big issue which determines the truth of this comparison has
to be the resurrection of Christ Jesus, bodily. If He didn’t arise then the
high Priest was right. It is His resurrection which verifies who He is and what
He has achieved.
Next week we will have a brief look
at the defining word relating to God. That is ‘I AM’ and Jesus claim on it.
©Ray
Hawkins. July 2015.
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