Christ the King

Christ the King

Text: John 19:14.                              

“Behold your King!”

          After our brother’s last four weeks speaking about the Kingdom of God, I thought today we could speak about the King of the Kingdom.

          I remember in college it was said that “Christ Jesus came to establish His Kingdom of Light, over the kingdom of darkness.” Even Jesus’ miracles showed that a new type of kingdom was being established on the earth, God was in power on the earth.

1.    CHRIST WAS BORN TO BE A KING.

1.          “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Matthew 2:2.

          The wise men from the east came seeking a child “born to be the King of the Jews.” From His infancy Jesus was recognised as a King by these three wise men from the east, and He was treated as a King by the wicked King Herod. For Herod saw the baby Jesus as a contender for the throne and so he plotted to bring about the death of Jesus (Matthew 2:13).

2.    CHRIST WAS ANOINTED TO BE A KING.

“Behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.” Matthew 3:16.

A.   At His water and spiritual baptism the heavens opened, revealing the King's subject of authority, for it came from the throne of heaven itself. Kingship from the throne of heaven.

B.   The Holy Spirit descended as a dove upon the Lord, indicating the spiritual nature of the Lord's reign. The Spiritual Kingdom of God.

C.   The voice from heaven was the voice of the eternal God revealing His divine favour of the Almighty on this King and His Kingly program. God was going to establish His Kingdom through His Son.

3.    CHRIST DEMONSTRATED HIS AUTHORITY OF KINGSHIP.

A. The Lord exercised Kingly authority over nature. Many of the miracles of Jesus were over nature, e.g. the winds and the seas obeyed His voice and commands, when He calmed the sea and stilling the wind, large amount of fish swimming into nets, He walking on water, turned water into wine, and cursing the fig tree so that it died.

B. The Lord exercised Kingly authority over sickness and disease. At His word or at His touch, healing came to those who suffered in sickness and disease. Even Jesus’ miracles of healing are far more powerful then you see them. E.g. those that had been blind from birth, Jesus healed them by creating “seeing eyes.”

C. The Lord exercised Kingly authority over demons. He commanded them to depart from those who were demon-possessed. The Kingdom of Light, rules over the kingdom of darkness.

D. The Lord exercised Kingly authority over death. He restored life to:

1. The daughter of Jairus (Matthew 5:35-43).

2. He raised to life the son of a widow (Luke 7:11-17).

4. He raised Lazarus back to life (John 11:38-44).

          Bring the dead to life again, is more than a miracle of a body breathing again. Every decaying organ had to be restored, repaired etc. Even the cause of death was found and removed. And remember the eternal soul and spirit of the man/child had to be reunited with the risen body.

In the Person of Jesus the King, God’s Kingdom was indeed being established on the earth!

4.    CHRIST DIED AS A KING.

“And they put on the CROSS, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Matthew 27:37.

          In cruelty the Roman soldiers mocked Jesus' Kingship. Yet even Pilate spoke divine truth when he said, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Christ Jesus death at the hands of wicked men appeared to be a great triumph for the forces of evil, but in reality is was a conquest over evil by the powerful King of love and grace.

5.    CHRIST AROSE AS A KING.

          Death could not hold the King, and the grave could not keep Him captive, for He arose on the third day having all victory. Jesus says that all authority in heaven and in earth has been given to Him. As believers in Christ Jesus, as children of the King, we need to treat Him as the King who alone can bring about peace, purpose, and power, into our lives.

6.    CHRIST IS COMING BACK AS KING.

          One day the same King will return in all of His glory and power for those who have trusted and who love Him. We have a “Man” up there in the glory, who is altogether God and altogether man.

And is now seated in heavenly places with His enemies at His foot-stool. Yet one day He is coming back for His own. Not as a meek and humble baby, but as the “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”

CONCLUSION:

          Today we would be wise to receive Him as the King of our lives.

Jesus, the son of David

Jesus, the son of David

Text: Matthew 22:42.

“Saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.”

          Whenever a new baby is born, someone is sure to say “He looks just like his father?” At other times, a new baby may call every passing man, daddy. Now that we are in the season of the “Birth of Christ,” I want to ask the question “Who was Jesus the Son of?”

Here is this text they called Jesus the “Son of David,” others over time called Jesus the “son of Joseph,” that was a mistake. The Bible points out the difference between the physical relationship of Joseph and Mary to the Lord in Luke 2:33 “And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.”

Even the Bible calls Jesus:

          1. The son of David.

          2. The son of Mary.

          3. The son of Man.

          4. The Son of God.

         

I want to look at those four titles, and point out four different quantities of Jesus the Christ-child.

1.    AS THE “SON OF DAVID,” HE WAS THE SOVEREIGN CHILD.

1. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” Matthew 1:1.

          The method of the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham is similar to the expression in Genesis 5:1: “This is the book of the genealogy of Adam.”

1.    Genesis, introduces the first Adam. The first Adam was head of the first, or physical, creation of God.

2.    Matthew, introduces the last Adam. Christ, as the last Adam, is Head of the new, or spiritual, creation.

The name “Jesus” presents Him as Jehovah-Saviour; the title “Christ” (“Anointed”), as the long awaited Messiah of Israel. The title “Son of David” is associated with the roles of both Messiah and King in the Old Testament.

         

2. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” Luke 1:31-33.

Notice the important truths which are preserved in this announcement:

1. The real humanity of the Messiah— “you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son.”

2. His deity and His mission as Saviour— “and shall call His name JESUS” (meaning Jehovah is the Saviour).

3. His important greatness— “He will be great,” both as to His Person and His work.

4. His identity as the Son of God— “and will be called the Son of the Highest.”

5. His title to the throne of David— “the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.” This establishes Him as the Messiah.

6. His everlasting and universal kingdom— “He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

A. He was the rightful King. Acknowledgment of the King!

B. He was the rejected King. Denial of the King!

C. He is the returning King! Amen! Looking for the King!

2.    AS THE “SON OF MARY,” HE WAS THE SUPERNATURAL CHILD.

1. “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they were offended at Him” Mark 6:3.

           Doubts about Jesus break out from those who could never accept Him as more than a carpenter. Facts about His family seemed to confirm their judgment. Among the four half-brothers of Christ, two are well known. James oversaw over the Jerusalem church and wrote the book bearing His name, and Judas or Jude wrote the last New Testament epistle.

The summing up response, “they were offended,” is unbelievable. For He had come to “seek and to save that which was lost” Luke 19:10, to draw all men to Himself (John 12:32), and to provide abundant life (John 10:10), and yet those who lived near Him the longest “stumbled” before His presence.

The people, astonished, could not deny the wisdom of His teaching or the wonder of His miracles. But there was a deep unwillingness to acknowledge Him as the Son of God. Had He returned to Nazareth as a mighty conquering Hero, they might have accepted Him more readily. But He came in lowly grace and humility. This offended them.

2. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” Isaiah 7:14.

The child Immanuel (Heb., lit. “God with us”) was a sign to the whole world.

A. This birth was seemingly impossible.

B. This birth was steadfastly investigated.

        1. By Joseph.

        2. By the shepherds.

        3. By the wise men.

        4. By Herod.

        5. By angels.

        6. By the devil.

        7. By God Almighty.

C. This birth was totally important.

3.    AS THE “SON OF MAN,” HE WAS THE SERVANT CHILD.

1. “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” --then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house” Matthew 9:6.

Though these leaders might deny His ability, or right, to forgive sins, the outward physical healing could not be denied. Neither physical, nor spiritual healing, stood any difficulty for God’s Son.

2. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” Philippians 2:5-8.

As the SERVANT child, the Lord Jesus Christ

A. Shared the problems of the flesh.

        1. Physical weariness.

        2. Hunger and thirst.

        3. Physical pain.

        4. However, He never SINNED!

B. Submitted to the purpose of the Father.

C. Showed a pattern for us to follow.

        1. Obedience.

        2. Patience.

        3. Ministry to others.

4.    AS THE “SON OF GOD,” HE WAS THE SAVIOUR CHILD.

1. “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54.

A. He was the only sinless man who ever lived.

B. He was the only sacrifice that could TAKE AWAY sins.

C. He is the only Saviour who can take you to heaven.

          “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” John 14:6.

2. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.

As the Son of God

CONCLUSION:

          “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”
Isaiah 9:6.

Jesus, is the Son of God that laid down His life for you and me.

Who do men say that I AM? Part 2.

                     Who do men say that I AM? Part 2.

Text: Matthew 16:13-20.

           “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So, they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

Caesarea Philippi is the turning-point of Jesus ministry, when the Gospel message, teaching, and ministry of Jesus changes from now on, because it is from this point onward that the shadow of the CROSS falls over the ministry of Jesus.

To discover how far the disciples have learnt from the lessons of Jesus, or to impress it upon them more deeply. Jesus asks them TWO questions:

1.    First question, “What are the result of My preaching, teaching, and the working of miracles?" “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

2.    Second question, “What impart have I made with you?” “Who do YOU say that I am?”

Verse 15.

“He said to them, “But who do YOU say that I am?”

         

          The time had now come for the disciples to make a decision about Jesus. Simon Peter was evidently the spokesman for the group. He said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” Matthew 16:16 (seen also in Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20). 

“You are the Christ,” which meant the Messiah, the Anointed One, the One who was predicted in the Old Testament, and the Lord Jesus was the fulfillment of. Also “the Son of the living God.” Up to this point, that was the best confession and the highest tribute that could be made to Him. This is who Jesus is!

It is the first careful statement of the true ministry of Jesus from His disciples. Peter the spokesman of the 12, with faith, and boldness of heart.

Sadly, it was also, from this revelation, that many of the followers of Jesus left Him, for it opened to them a new understanding about the “Suffering Servant” of the Christ, and less of His “political power.” From now on Jesus was to speak of the CROSS more, and more, in His purpose of coming among them.

You can speak of Jesus as prophet, as a holy man, as a teacher, or as a spiritual leader, and few will object. But speak of Him as Son of God, with a divine nature, of the same nature as God the Father, and the people will line up to express their disapproval of Him.

This is the question to the Church, and the individual believer. Which is more important than other people's opinions, it is our OWN response to the question, and the challenge of Jesus. Jesus now narrowed the question. He turns to those that follow Him, to those who had been with Him.

          YOU have been with Me, YOU, have seen the healings, and heard my teachings, YOU, have seen my life, now: “Who do YOU say that I am?” Who is Jesus in OUR lives?

          Is He OUR Lord?

          Is He OUR Saviour and Master?

          Is He OUR healer?

          Is He OUR Provider?

          Is He OUR Coming King?

Verse 16.

          “And Simon Peter answered and said, “YOU are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

          Peter took the lead as so often he did, who must have discussed the Messianic characteristics of Jesus among themselves. Peter recognised and acknowledged openly the Lord's deity.

Jesus here spoke of Himself in the term “Son of Man,” yet; Peter answered using the term “Son of God.” The “Son of God,” marked Jesus' unique nature, and relationship to the Father God.

You are more than a man!

You are more than a prophet!

You are more than a good teacher!

          “YOU ARE THE CHRIST.” The Messiah, the anointed One of God!

          Peter recognises the important and eternal life of God as in this His Son, Christ Jesus. Peter a man, moved by the Spirit of God, and spiritual revelation, sees God clothed in human flesh.

          Peter sees, not by human nature, but by divine revelation. And Jesus clearly recognised that Peter was using more than human sight, but the spiritual insight of seeing, for “the pure in heart shall see God” Matthew 5:8, was God alone given.

          The “Christ,” the spiritual and political leader of Israel was not expected to be “divine.” Yet, Peter declared that He was, in the Person of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.

          TWO truths are expressed in this confession of faith:

1. That Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah expected by Israel, and foretold in the Old Testament. The conclusion of God's purpose for the salvation of the world.

You are the Christ, the Redeemer, and the Saviour of the world.

2. That Jesus is the Son of God, who stands in a unique personal relationship to the Father, and this makes Him “Divine.” 

          You are truly man, and truly God, unique in being, the God-Man.

Verse 17.

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

          Jesus was filled with joy; that Peter, despite all appearances to the contrary, should have reached this conviction, which was the proof of “divine revelation.” “Son of Jonah,” must have been purposely used by Jesus, to denote Peter’s humble fleshly backdrop, to set off his spiritual proof of “divine revelation.”

          Peter’s confession of faith came by revelation. For only God by the Holy Spirit can give YOU light, and understanding of Christ's role in salvation, and of His Divine nature.

Only the Holy Spirit can make Christ known to any person. No man today can call Jesus “Lord” but by the Holy Spirit. Only the Spirit of God can take the things of Christ and reveal them to us. Jesus said, “Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto you,” that is, “You did not learn it by being with Me.” But by knowing Me!

Verse 18.

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Let us look at this verse carefully. On what rock did Jesus build His church? There are those who say that it was built on Simon Peter. Well, obviously it was not, because there is a play upon words here. In the original Greek it is, “Thou art Petros (a little piece of rock), and upon this Petra (bedrock) I will build my church.”

Who is the Rock? The Rock is Christ! The church is built upon Christ. We have Simon Peter’s own description of this. In 1 Peter 2:4, referring to Christ, he writes, “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.”

And he remembers Isaiah 28:16, “… Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded” (1 Peter 2:6). The church is built upon Christ; He is the foundation. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 3:11.

Christ is the stone, and He says on this rock He will build His church. The church was still future when the Lord made this statement and did not come into existence until after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, and the sending of the Holy Spirit. “I will build my church” this was in the future.

The “gates of hell” refers to death. The word used for hell is the Greek word hades, the Sheol of the Old Testament, which refers to the unseen world and means “death.” The gates of death shall not prevail against Christ’s church.

One of these days the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout. That shout will be like the voice of an archangel and like a trumpet because the dead in Christ are to be raised. The gates of death shall not prevail against His church.

Verse 19.

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven? Were they given only to Simon Peter? No, Jesus gives them to those who make the same confession made by Peter, those who know Christ as Saviour. If you are a child of God, you have the keys as well as any person has the keys.

The keys were the badge of authority of the office of the scribes who interpreted the Scriptures to the people (see Nehemiah 8:2-8). Every Christian today has the Scriptures and, therefore, the keys. If we withhold the Word, we “bind on earth;” if we give the Word, we “loose on earth.” No man or individual church has the keys, to the exclusion of all other believers. It is the Word of God that sets people free. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” John 8:32.

We have a responsibility today to give out the gospel because it is the only thing that can save people. This is a tremendous revelation. Who is sufficient for these things? You and I have a responsibility that is awesome indeed!

Verse 20.

“Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

The Lord made this request because the mere knowledge of who He is will not save you. To find salvation you must know who He is and what He did and accept Him by faith.

Conclusion:

          Do YOU know Jesus by revelation?

Peter said,

          YOU are more than John the forerunner!

          YOU are more than Elijah the foreteller!

          YOU are more than Jeremiah the watcher!

          YOU are the ONE towards whom they ALL looked upon!

          YOU are the “CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.”

Who do men say that I AM? Part 1.

Who do men say that I AM? Part 1.

Text: Matthew 16:13-20.        

“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

          All the way through the Gospel of Matthew we need to keep our eyes opened, because this gospel is the key to the rest of the Scriptures. Caesarea Philippi is a turning point in the ministry of Jesus.

In modern terms it is the x factor time, when an unknown person is placed on a stage, seen by many, and people are so amazed at their talent, that soon the likes of YouTube, twitter, Facebook, etc. is filled with this person and their talent and fame.

So it is in the spiritual realm here in Caesarea Philippi in the life of Jesus, in many ways it is the turning-point of Jesus ministry, In this passage of the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel message, teaching, and ministry of Jesus changes from now on, for it is said that “from this point onward, the shadow of the CROSS falls over the ministry of Jesus.”

Verse 13.

“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi.”

If you look on a map, you will find Caesarea Philippi is located to the north, an area about 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee. Caesarea Philippi was one of the most northern places in Israel that Jesus visited.  The Lord Jesus is in the north, and He is in a position from which He is going to turn and begin a movement directly toward Jerusalem and the cross.

           Caesarea Philippi was a district which had been greatly associated with idol worship. The heathen temples in the area, showed openly that Jesus, and His disciples were standing on the ground between True Faith, and Pagan religions. Yet, it was on this spot, that the True, and only God, was revealed before men.

When Jesus and His disciples came into the District of Caesarea Philippi, The region had terrific religious suggestions. The place was littered with the temples of pagan gods. You might say that the world religions were on display in this town.

It was with this scene in the background that Jesus chose to ask the most crucial questions of His ministry. “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” You could say that Jesus was throwing out a challenge to those around Him. In this place of many gods, “am I a just another man, or the one and only true God?”

We are going to see how Jesus’ followers reacted towards Him from this day. The Jewish race cherished the material, and political implications of a “Triumphant Messiahship,” yet, passed over the “spiritual implications” of the coming Messiah, the “Suffering Servant” of Isaiah 53.

It was the desire of Jesus to reveal the true nature of His coming to the people, which was and still is “to seek and to save them which are lost” Luke 19:10. It is the same today! Jesus is accepted by many, as a good man, as a moral teacher, or as a wise leader, but, so few accept Him as the Saviour of their souls. Of which He came to do!

Verse 13.

“He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

For on this spot was the question asked, and answered on which the Christian Faith is founded. Who is Jesus? Before Jesus begins that journey to the Cross, there are two things that must be clear in the minds of His disciples:

1.    Who He is.

2.    What He is going to do.

These are the two things that all of us have to be clear on in order to be Christians.

1.    We have to know who Jesus is.

2.    We have to know what Jesus did.

We need to know these things in order that we might exercise faith and be saved.

Note the Lord’s first question: “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” This is a question which He is still asking, and it is a question that is still being answered in our day. Jesus is still the most debated person who has ever lived on this earth.

Soon we will hear the viewpoint of the multitudes, the crowds that followed Him. I believe that if you or I asked this question on a street corner of our own towns, we would probably get similar answers, because people are still confused about Jesus and who He is.

          For nearly THREE YEARS, by His message, by parable, by miracle, by Scripture fulfilment, and by the constant message of His daily life.

Jesus had revealed Himself to His disciples as the Messiah, the predicted King, and the Son of God. To discover how far the disciples have learnt from the lessons of Jesus, or to impress it upon them more deeply. Jesus asks them ONE of TWO questions:

1. First question, “What are the result of My preaching, teaching, and the working of miracles?" “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

          Did the disciples grasp the meaning of Jesus' words? The title “Son of Man,” for it speaks of a suffering Christ, for Jesus as the Christ, must endure the suffering, and death of the CROSS, and be raised again.

          In Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45, Jesus uses the title “Son of Man,” to give the meaning of death. “Just as the SON OF MAN did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” It is plain that a redemptive meaning was attached to the figure of the, “Son of Man.” Even Pilate at one time cried, “Behold the Man!” John 19:5.

          For Jesus the Christ stands in the place of all humanity. “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the CROSS” Philippians 2:8.

          In John 4:29, the woman cried, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Come see a MAN, with a heart full of love, and understanding, see God among men, a man without sin, yet willing to become sin for us, 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
          If there ever was a man, BEHOLD THE MAN! CHRIST JESUS!

Verse 14.

“So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

          The disciples at Caesarea Philippi told Jesus only the best things they had heard about Him. They ranked Him among the prophets, the men of vision, and the men who declared God's WORD to their age. Jesus possessed some of the characteristics of each of these THREE great men, yet, He exceeded them all.

          Note the THREE quoted men:

1. JOHN.

          “Some say that “You are John the Baptist.” John the Baptist was a great man, and the people recognized him as such. In our day there are many folk who say that Jesus was a great teacher.

There was some likeness between JESUS and JOHN. Both were children of divine wisdom and promise, and both had vital parts to play in the outworking of God's plan for man's salvation. But the difference was greater.

a. JOHN could PREPARE men to receive the reign of God in their hearts, but he could not ENABLE them to receive it. He stood on the threshold of the Kingdom of God.

b. Yet, JESUS, was the DOOR through whom ALONE men could enter it.

B. ELIJAH.

     Some said regarding Jesus that He was “Elias.” (The name Elias was the Greek form of “Elijah.”) Elijah was certainly a great person, and there are those in our day who say that Jesus was a great person.

There were also some real parallels between JESUS and ELIJAH. Both were men of prayer, both performed supernatural works of healing, and both waged war against false religion.

a. But the victories of ELIJAH were won by physical force.

b. While the victory of JESUS was destined to be won, not by the shedding of the blood of others, but by allowing His OWN BLOOD TO BE SHED.

C. JEREMIAH.

     “And others, Jeremias.” (Again, the Greek form is used.) Jeremiah was the weeping prophet, and the people saw our Lord weep. The crowds gave Him the credit for being a great prophet. “Or one of the prophets.” I suppose there was a variety of a viewpoint as to which prophet Jesus was.

Jeremiah is the most closely related example of Jesus, in the area of patient endurance of undeserved suffering.

a. JEREMIAH foretold the new covenant, by which men with their sins forgiven would be given a direct knowledge of God, BUT neither he nor any other prophet like him, could ever bring it into being.

b. But, JESUS brought redeemed men into the presence of a Holy God.

If we asked the same question today of those that pass by:

1.    Some would say that Jesus was the greatest teacher this world has ever seen.

2.    Some would say that Jesus was a founder of religion.

3.    Some would say that Jesus was a good man.

4.    Some would say that Jesus was in a class with other men who were famous in history—just “one of the prophets.”

These, then, are the viewpoints of the average person of today.

Then Jesus asked His disciples a SECOND Question.