The Son

 “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.’ – Matthew 16:13-17

The Jews believed that Elijah would return, come back to earth, to announce the end time. They also expected that a prophet like Moses would be associated with the coming of the Messiah. That is why John the Baptist was asked if he was Elijah or if he was the Prophet like Moses. And I suspect why others thought Jesus might be. Both prophets would precede the coming of the long-awaited Messiah.

Understanding who Jesus was and is requires spiritual revelation.  You cannot figure it out – or reason it out apart from spiritual revelation.  Peter declared that Jesus is the Son of the Living God (the Father). More – He is the Christ – the Messiah, and that was a spiritual revelation.

“The next day John [the Baptizer] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” – John 1:28

Jesus is the Lamb of God (the Father). The eternal Passover Lamb. The atoning sacrifice. A mere mortal was not sufficient to undo what had been done in the Garden and atone for our sins.

“And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” – 1 John 2:1-2

The word, propitiation, means “mercy seat”.  That is the seat on the Ark of the Covenant upon which the blood from the sacrificed lamb was poured by the High Priest in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. But where that had to be done every year, it was but a representation of what the Son of God would do – Jesus was the atoning sacrifice, once for all.

The Bible speaks plainly about who Jesus is and what His place is in God, the Father’s, eternal plan of reconciliation. 

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:14-15

“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” – Romans 8:34

Jesus is the Intercessor. Jesus has interceded through the Cross and intercedes eternally on our behalf with the Father as the eternal sacrifice.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” – John 16:23-24

Ask who? The Father. That is why we end our prayers with “In Jesus Name”. Whatever you ask the Father in Jesus name. Why should the Father hear us? Because of Jesus. Because of Jesus, we are joint heirs – sons and daughters of God the Father. 

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” – 1 John 3:1

Because of Jesus, the Father has adopted us – restored us to the place we once held in Adam. 

“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:5-6

The reason we have access to the Father is because of Jesus. In other words, because Jesus is our High Priest – our Redeemer – we have access to the Father.  

“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” – Matthew 27:50-51

As a refresher – the veil separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies where the High Priest made the sacrifice for atonement of the nation’s sins over the Ark of the Covenant. Only the High Priest had access to the Holy of Holies and then, only once a year. The tearing of the veil symbolized that we now have access to the very presence of God. We can enter boldly into the throne room of grace because of Jesus.

We don’t pray to Jesus with the hope that He will in turn speak to the Father. Jesus has spoken and now we can pray to the Father with the expectation that He will hear us.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

There is so much more to be said – but I will stop there.

Monday  – The Spirit

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone