Jesus the Prophet of God
Jesus the Prophet
John 1:1-5
To say that Christmas is all about a baby born in a manger who came to preach love is like saying that Michelangelo slapped some paint on a ceiling in a small church in Rome. It does not do justice to the full depth and beauty of who Christ is and what he came to accomplish. Too often, Jesus is seen only as a babe in a humble manger. This view of Jesus is safe, unassuming, and makes little demands upon our lives. He came to save us from our troubles, bring social justice, and preach love and peace. However, Jesus was much more than that. Throughout scripture, we discover a far deeper and more meaningful view of Christ. To understand who Christ is, we must know why he came. To discover that, we need to go back to the Old Testament. The Old Testament is more than just a historical account of Israel's national and religious growth. The Old Testament is a theological primer pointing to the person and character of Christ. The instruction of the law and the prophets was ultimately Christo-centric. The message of the Old Testament pointed to the person of Christ and what he would accomplish.
To discover the Christo-centric focus of the Old Testament, we must first begin with the role of the Prophet. The Prophet was more than a religious leader; he was the connecting link between God and the people. He served as the voice of God to proclaim God's message to the nation of Israel so that they might walk in obedience to God and the moral and spiritual law of God. While the prophets might foretell future events, that was not their primary role. Their primary responsibility was to proclaim the Word of God and call people to repentance and obedience to God.
John begins his gospel with a theological affirmation of the nature of God. While Matthew and Luke focused on the birth of Jesus, John starts with a description of who Jesus was. Jesus came as the Word of God. In other words, Jesus came as the complete revelation of God. Jesus came as the ultimate expression of the prophetic word.
In the Old Testament, it was understood that the Messiah would be the fullest expression of the prophet. When Moses proclaimed his final message to the Jews before his death, he foretold of another prophet who would come. He would communicate God’s message in the fullest (Deuteronomy 18:15-19 see also Acts 3:22, Acts 7:37). Thus, it was expected that when Messiah would come, he would be a prophet who would communicate God’s message and call the people back to a life of obedience to God.
Throughout the gospels, we see affirmations that Jesus was a prophet. When John states that Jesus was the Word, he affirmed that Jesus came not just as a prophet but as THE PROPHET. He was the final voice of God. The people recognized him as a prophet (Matthew 16:14). This is affirmed in the book of Hebrews. The writer of Hebrews delves deeply into the Old Testament law to show that Christ came as the fulfillment of the law and to establish the New Covenant. He begins his letter by affirming, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His son whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”
However, one fundamental difference existed between the Old Testament prophets and Jesus. While Jesus was a Prophet, he was also God, come in the flesh. Thus, John affirms that Jesus was not just the Word, but he was God (John 1:2). So also, the writer of Hebrews declares that Jesus “is the radiance of His (i.e., God) glory and the exact representation of His nature.” Jesus was the ultimate expression of the prophet, for he was God himself communicating his word to us. To respond to Jesus in the manger is to respond to Jesus the prophet. It is to listen and obey his words as the prophetic voice of God. To celebrate Jesus’ birth begins by obeying his voice.
John 1:1-5
To say that Christmas is all about a baby born in a manger who came to preach love is like saying that Michelangelo slapped some paint on a ceiling in a small church in Rome. It does not do justice to the full depth and beauty of who Christ is and what he came to accomplish. Too often, Jesus is seen only as a babe in a humble manger. This view of Jesus is safe, unassuming, and makes little demands upon our lives. He came to save us from our troubles, bring social justice, and preach love and peace. However, Jesus was much more than that. Throughout scripture, we discover a far deeper and more meaningful view of Christ. To understand who Christ is, we must know why he came. To discover that, we need to go back to the Old Testament. The Old Testament is more than just a historical account of Israel's national and religious growth. The Old Testament is a theological primer pointing to the person and character of Christ. The instruction of the law and the prophets was ultimately Christo-centric. The message of the Old Testament pointed to the person of Christ and what he would accomplish.
To discover the Christo-centric focus of the Old Testament, we must first begin with the role of the Prophet. The Prophet was more than a religious leader; he was the connecting link between God and the people. He served as the voice of God to proclaim God's message to the nation of Israel so that they might walk in obedience to God and the moral and spiritual law of God. While the prophets might foretell future events, that was not their primary role. Their primary responsibility was to proclaim the Word of God and call people to repentance and obedience to God.
John begins his gospel with a theological affirmation of the nature of God. While Matthew and Luke focused on the birth of Jesus, John starts with a description of who Jesus was. Jesus came as the Word of God. In other words, Jesus came as the complete revelation of God. Jesus came as the ultimate expression of the prophetic word.
In the Old Testament, it was understood that the Messiah would be the fullest expression of the prophet. When Moses proclaimed his final message to the Jews before his death, he foretold of another prophet who would come. He would communicate God’s message in the fullest (Deuteronomy 18:15-19 see also Acts 3:22, Acts 7:37). Thus, it was expected that when Messiah would come, he would be a prophet who would communicate God’s message and call the people back to a life of obedience to God.
Throughout the gospels, we see affirmations that Jesus was a prophet. When John states that Jesus was the Word, he affirmed that Jesus came not just as a prophet but as THE PROPHET. He was the final voice of God. The people recognized him as a prophet (Matthew 16:14). This is affirmed in the book of Hebrews. The writer of Hebrews delves deeply into the Old Testament law to show that Christ came as the fulfillment of the law and to establish the New Covenant. He begins his letter by affirming, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His son whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”
However, one fundamental difference existed between the Old Testament prophets and Jesus. While Jesus was a Prophet, he was also God, come in the flesh. Thus, John affirms that Jesus was not just the Word, but he was God (John 1:2). So also, the writer of Hebrews declares that Jesus “is the radiance of His (i.e., God) glory and the exact representation of His nature.” Jesus was the ultimate expression of the prophet, for he was God himself communicating his word to us. To respond to Jesus in the manger is to respond to Jesus the prophet. It is to listen and obey his words as the prophetic voice of God. To celebrate Jesus’ birth begins by obeying his voice.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
March
Reorienting Our Focus Pt 2The Basis of SalvationDetermining ValueSetting the Right Goal in LifeFollowing the Right PeopleRecognizing our CitizenshipResponding to ConflictThe Keys to PeaceLearning to Think RightlyThe Secret of ContentmentThe Blessing of GivingA Life without SignificanceThe Futility of LifeThe Endless PursuitThe Futility of PleasureThe Limits of WisdomEvaluating Our WorkFinding Joy in LifeThe Doctrine of Right Time
April
Categories
no categories
No Comments