Jesus Christ is the Exact Representation of the Father
In the very first book of the Bible we read,
“Then God said, “’Let Us make man in Our image.’”
Genesis 1:26
The word for God in this Scripture, is translated ‘elohiym’ in the Hebrew, denoting or referring to ‘the supreme God.’ The rest of the Scripture reads,
“let them (speaking of mankind) have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
In the New Testament of the Bible, when speaking of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John said,
“In the beginning was the Word (Who is Jesus Christ), and the Word (Jesus Christ) was with God, and the Word (Jesus Christ) was God. He (Jesus Christ the living Word) was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him (Jesus Christ), and without Him (Jesus Christ) nothing was made that was made. In Him (Jesus Christ) was life, and the life (Who is Jesus Christ) was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
John 1: 1-5
Again, Paul said of Christ,
“He (speaking of God the Father) has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Who is Jesus Christ), in Whom we have redemption through His (Jesus Christ’s) blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the Head of the Body, the Church, Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the pre-eminence.”
Colossians 1: 13-18
“For in Him (Christ Jesus) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him (Christ Jesus), Who is the head of all principality and power.”
Colossians 2:9 &10
Christ the Way the Truth and the Life
Jesus said of Himself,
“’I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’ Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.’”
John 14: 6-11
- Jesus Christ is an exact representation of the Father!
- In Jesus Christ is all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form.
- This is the deity of Christ – the only begotten of the Father Who came to die for our sins!
Because God the Father is Holy, Christ is Holy; because God the Father is merciful, Christ is merciful; because God the Father is loving, Christ is loving; because God the Father is perfect, Jesus Christ His Son is perfect! Jesus said to His disciples regarding their need to love others and to treat them well,
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48
- Only by receiving the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus can we be made perfect through the Son.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
John 1:12
This is not hidden wisdom. It is not a hidden secret. It is proclaimed throughout all four Gospels in the Bible and beyond. Here are just some of the claims Jesus made about Himself.
“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’”
John 6:35
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’”
John 8:12
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
John 10:9
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
John 10:11
“Do you say of Him Whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?”
John 10:36
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.’”
John 11:25
“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.”
John 13:13
“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
Three Persons in One
Quoting a Messianic prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, the writer of Matthew said,
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us.’”
Matthew 1:23
The Apostle John also testified concerning Christ,
“This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the (Holy) Spirit who bears witness, because the (Holy) Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: (God) the Father, the Word (Who is Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.”
1 John 5:6 – 9
So, we see then, that both God the Holy Spirit and God the Father Himself, are witnesses that Jesus Christ is God’s Son, come in the flesh, born of a virgin by a miracle of God.
Because of the weakness of our flesh and our inability to live without sinning, Jesus Christ was born in the likeness of man to do what we could not. He lived a perfect life here on the earth, completely fulfilling all of the requirements of God’s law on our behalf. The Apostle Paul said,
“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.”
Romans 8:3
Yet Jesus Christ, at the same time, remained Holy, fully pure, fully God and fully Christ. Christ is translated ‘the anointed one’. Jesus said,
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil.”
Matthew 5:17
It was because Christ came in the form of human flesh and yet remained sinless, perfect, pure and Holy, that He was able to condemn sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us through Him. The Apostle Paul continues,
“On account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:3 & 4
Jesus Bore Our Sin on the Cross
Because Jesus Christ (Who is the Son of God come in human flesh) is Holy, it was, and is, impossible for Him to sin. Because of the Holy nature of the Godhead (God in one) it was, and is, impossible for Christ to be tainted in any way. Yet this Holy Son of God, Jesus Christ, bore our sin on the cross on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. The Apostle Paul said,
“For He (God the Father) made Him (Jesus Christ, God the Son) Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
The Apostle Paul again, explains it this way.
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).”
Galatians 3:13
Because according to the law of God,
“If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.”
Deuteronomy 21:22 & 23
As Christ is Holy, So Are We to Be Holy
Jesus Christ, though sinless, went to the cross on our behalf to become a curse for us. This, so that every curse of the law – all condemnation; all uncleanness; all sin; all sickness; all distress; all guilt and all shame, fell on Him Who knew no sin.
So that by faith, we might be set free and become the righteousness of God in Him. This is the power of the great exchange! And in that great exchange, all who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, are given power to begin to walking in the Holiness of God!
The Apostle John said,
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:17 – 19
“Little children let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin for His seed (speaking of Christ’s seed) remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”
1 John 3:7 – 9
For this reason, it is now possible for us to come to God in faith and in boldness, knowing that we are holy and acceptable in His sight, as we continue to follow Christ. The Apostle Paul said,
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
Romans 12:1
- This is how we are able to come to God without fear.
- For just as Christ is holy, so too, are we now holy and acceptable in his sight!
The Tabernacle of Moses
In the book of Genesis in the Bible, the Lord spoke to Moses saying,
“Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly from his heart you shall take My offering. And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.”
Exodus 25:2 -7
This offering to the Lord had to be given willingly from the people, from their hearts, in order to make the Lord a sanctuary, that He may dwell among them.
“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”
Exodus 25:8
The Lord then gave Moses the exact pattern by which the tabernacle was to be built. The materials, the measurements, the furnishings and how everything was to be fashioned and put together, all according to the Lord’s plans.
“According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.”
Exodus 25:9
Exodus 39:32
“Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses; so they did.”
The Tabernacle as a House of Worship
The tabernacle was the place where the people were to go, to place their free-will offerings and their sacrifices before the Lord. It was the place where the high priest went into the presence of God, into the Holy of Holies, once a year on the people’s behalf. But the high priest could not enter into the Lord’s presence without first, the sacrificial blood of the lamb for sins committed in ignorance.
“Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance.”
Hebrews 9:6 & 7
But while the tabernacle of Moses was still standing, the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest. The Holiest of All refers to that which can only be found in Christ Jesus. This is because the tabernacle of Moses was only symbolic, or a shadow of what was yet to come. There still awaited, the tabernacle of Christ’s abiding presence, found only in a personal relationship with the living Jesus Christ, Whom we now worship.
Paul explains, that the first tabernacle (that which was made with human hands according to the pattern given by God to Moses) was not able to clear man’s conscience from evil works. It alone, was not able to make man perfect. In fact, none of this could be made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. The writer of Hebrews said,
“The Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience.”
Hebrews 9:8 & 9
“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.”
Hebrews 10:1
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”
Hebrews 10:4
Christ Died Once for all Mankind
It was only through Jesus Christ dying on the cross on our behalf, once for all mankind , that the way was made for us (every man, woman and child who receives Him) to come into the presence of God. When Christ died on the cross as the spotless lamb of God, shedding His blood on our behalf, that same veil that stood in front of the Holy of Holies was torn in two by an act of the power of God, in recognition of the finished work of the cross. And on the third day, just as Jesus said He would, He rose again; having conquered sin and death by the power of His blood, He came out of the empty tomb and was witnessed by many. And many of those who had fallen asleep came out of their graves and appeared to many. This was a show of Christ’s resurrection power at work!
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst!’ Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
John 19:28 – 30
“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 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 27:50-54
A More Perfect Tabernacle not Made by Human Hands
This same show of resurrection power is what gives us immediate access to His abiding presence. Christ’s presence that never leaves us! This is the tarrying presence of Christ! It is this access we obtain through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, shed on our behalf. He, Who was the spotless lamb of God, Who died in our place and rose again. He fully completed the work that God had sent Him to do and sat down at the right hand of the Father! What the blood of bulls and goats could only cover (not being able to make man perfect or to clear his conscience) God did by sending His Son to die on the cross on our behalf, once for all mankind.
“And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man (speaking of Jesus Christ), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God (indicating his work was completed), from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”
Hebrews 10:11 – 14
- What the blood of bulls and goats could only cover, Christ’s blood, once and for all time, completely removed!
That means, our sin and shame are no longer just covered – In Christ they are removed! There is a choice however, that each one of us has to make. The Apostle Paul said,
“But as many as received Him (again, speaking of Jesus Christ), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
John 1:12
Do you therefore, choose to receive this same promise given to all men and women who believe? That in Christ, your sin and shame may be totally removed? If so, say with me, “Yes Lord, with joy I choose to receive You!”
Christ was the Forerunner of What we Can Now Do
- Because He passed through the veil into the Holy of Holies, by receiving Christ, so too can we!
- This is the immeasurable hope we hold onto!
“That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 6:18 – 20
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest (Who is Jesus Christ) over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Hebrews 10:19 – 22
Christ’s Abiding Presence
This is the new tabernacle of Christ’s abiding presence, not made by human hands, that we now carry with us wherever we go. This is that same manifest presence of God, that gives us a clear conscience free from dead works, enabling us without hindrance, to reach out into the nations with the precious love of Christ.
“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Hebrews 9:11 – 14
This is hope eternal!! Amen, amen and amen!
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