2) Jesus’ Perfect Life Makes Him the Only Suitable Mediator.
The apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus Christ is the only suitable mediator between God and men by virtue of His Deity and His sinless humanity.
Christ was equal to God, yet humbled Himself and became a man. “We have here, in summary form, the conception of the second Adam, the inaugurator of a new, redeemed humanity, which Paul expounds in Romans 5:12ff.; 1 Cor. 15:21f.; 45 ff.”[1] Human beings are restored to fellowship with God through Christ and His perfect work on their behalf. “As the sinless God-man Christ is uniquely qualified to serve as a go-between who can bring sinful people into God’s family.”[2] Humanity cannot enter God’s holy presence by their own efforts or merit. We are in need of outside help that only a perfect Mediator/Priest can offer on our behalf.
Hebrews 9:15 says, “And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”
“The combination of Jesus' full deity and full humanity is what enables Christ to give Himself as the all-sufficient sacrifice that constitutes the very basis of the new covenant. This Jesus is the mediator of a new and better covenant.”[3] Human priests and mediators are no longer needed because of the perfect One, who gave Himself up as the final sacrifice.
There are numerous spiritual benefits that are specifically related the incarnation of Jesus Christ. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus Christ displayed the glory of God in a unique and tangible way.
The Apostle Peter writes, “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘you shall be holy, for I am holy.’”[4] God’s holy standard was expressed to the world through His holy Law and the sacrificial system. At the appointed time Jesus Christ came and demonstrated with one perfect life what true righteousness looks like. Messiah Jesus' perfect life of obedience provides us with a perfect example (New Covenant believers also receive a Divine Paraclete, the Spirit of holiness, to help us walk in the truth).
Hebrews 12:1-2 declares, “Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus yielded His life in total submission to the will of God, even when it meant death on a shameful, scandalous cross. True disciples are called to take up their crosses daily and to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24).
When suffering believers are exhorted to persevere who does Peter point to as the perfect role model in 1 Peter 2:20-24? "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 'He himself bore our sins' in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 'by his wounds you have been healed.'"
Scripture's command to forgive others is grounded in ___ . You guessed it! The perfect example of Jesus. Ephesians 4:31-32 puts it like this, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
1 John 2:6 says, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” Jesus' perfect life is the supreme example of faith and faithfulness! If you want to know what it means to live a godly life in this present age fix your eyes on Messiah Jesus (Isaiah 42:1-7; Heb. 12).
TO BE CONTINUED-
3) Jesus’ Perfect Life Provides a Perfect Example For Christians to Imitate.
There are numerous spiritual benefits that are specifically related the incarnation of Jesus Christ. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus Christ displayed the glory of God in a unique and tangible way.
The Apostle Peter writes, “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘you shall be holy, for I am holy.’”[4] God’s holy standard was expressed to the world through His holy Law and the sacrificial system. At the appointed time Jesus Christ came and demonstrated with one perfect life what true righteousness looks like. Messiah Jesus' perfect life of obedience provides us with a perfect example (New Covenant believers also receive a Divine Paraclete, the Spirit of holiness, to help us walk in the truth).
Hebrews 12:1-2 declares, “Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus yielded His life in total submission to the will of God, even when it meant death on a shameful, scandalous cross. True disciples are called to take up their crosses daily and to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24).
When suffering believers are exhorted to persevere who does Peter point to as the perfect role model in 1 Peter 2:20-24? "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 'He himself bore our sins' in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 'by his wounds you have been healed.'"
Scripture's command to forgive others is grounded in ___ . You guessed it! The perfect example of Jesus. Ephesians 4:31-32 puts it like this, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
1 John 2:6 says, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” Jesus' perfect life is the supreme example of faith and faithfulness! If you want to know what it means to live a godly life in this present age fix your eyes on Messiah Jesus (Isaiah 42:1-7; Heb. 12).
TO BE CONTINUED-
[1] J.N.D. Kelly, The Pastoral Epistles, Black’s New Testament Commentaries (London: A. & C. Black Limited, 1963), 63.
[2] Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, Jr., 1, 2 Timothy & Titus. The New American Commentary Vol 34. (Nashville, Tenn.: Broadman Press, 1992), 90. Also read Hebrews 8:6; 12:24; Eph 2:13-18.
[3] Donald A. Hagner, Encountering the Book of Hebrews, Encountering Biblical Studies (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2002), 123. See also Gal. 4:4-5.
[4] 1 Peter 1:15-16.
