Hope In Jesus – Part 7

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Hope in Jesus

Hope is hopeless without Jesus.

About 1750, a slave trading ship captain had experienced enough. For years John Newton had participated in the slave trade, treating African slaves as mere units of cargo. He led ships from England to Africa to pick up slaves, then across the Atlantic to unload his shipment in the New World. The journey was dangerous and deadly, as often 20% of the blacks on board would die on the inhumane voyage. John Newton transported more than a few shiploads of the six million African slaves brought to the Americas in the 18th century. It was a book he found on board — Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ — which sowed the seeds of his conversion. When a ship nearly sank in a storm, he converted to be a Christian and left sailing to become a minister for the last 43 years of his life. At 82, Newton said, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.” A far greater testimony outlives Newton in the most famous of the hundreds of hymns he wrote. It begins:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

Jesus Christ was unlike any man who ever lived. He was uniquely Son of Man and Son of God. He was chosen and destined since before the foundation of the world: “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Pet 1:20). In fact, he was “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev 13:8). He was the fulfillment of centuries of prophecies from many different prophets. He was the promised child to Abraham, and the promised King to David. Jesus (Hebrew name Yeshua or Joshua) was central to God’s plan for mankind from the very beginning’

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Heb 1:1-4).

God knew that Jesus would be the savior to the whole world, and He prepared the setting for His Son to conquer the world. God’s plan of salvation for mankind has always been centered on Jesus: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Without believing in Jesus and his message, all hope is futile.

As the son of a simple carpenter, Jesus’ first words in his ministry were to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). Jesus taught that the poor, handicapped and hungry of the world are more blessed than all others. He gave hope to those who needed it most. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He literally and spiritually fed his followers. He taught as no man taught before. He touched the untouchables of his day. He loved those who were unloved. He cared for those in need. He showed forgiveness to sinners. He led a sinless life as a perfect example. And ultimately, Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for those who believe in him.

Why Jesus?

Religion has known many spiritual leaders who claimed divine inspiration. Many people have proclaimed themselves to be specially chosen, often with supposed powers of providence. Some people have even believed that they are the Second Coming of Christ today! They claimed to declare God’s will and generally benefited from their self-worshiping faith. But Jesus was unique in his humility. He taught about his suffering and sacrifice. He knew that he would be crucified. He had faith that he would rise from the dead. Jesus lived a unique life unlike any other person, through which we have hope:

• Jesus was sinless his entire life (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:22; Heb 7:26). He was one “who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Heb 4:15).
• Grace and truth were revealed in Jesus (John 1:17; Titus 3:6-7). Forgiveness was practiced and preached by Him. Those who believe in Jesus will receive forgiveness of sins: “That through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).
• No one needs to fear the Devil today thanks to Jesus, who destroyed the Devil through his death: “that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb 2:14).
• Jesus was, and is, superior to angels (Heb 1:4).
• All things in heaven and on earth are subject to Jesus: “For He hath put all things under his feet” (1Cor 15:27).
• Jesus was a redeemer to his followers. He provided the way of escape from the curse of death in the Hebrew law: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Gal 3:13); See also Job 19:25; Titus 2:13-14; Col 1:14).

• Jesus provided the way for people to have peace with God. His death and resurrection gave opportunity for all people to have eternal hope: “there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28); see also Eph 2:12-13.
• Jesus was the perfect representation of God to the people and reflected God’s character: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Col 1:15); see also 1Tim 3:16.
• Jesus is the only way to the Father. He is the only way leading to life. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6); see also John 10:28; John 17:2.

Who was Jesus?

Jesus has frequently been misunderstood. When he was just a baby, Herod thought that he was a threat and tried to kill him (Matt 2:16). Later, some thought that he was either John the Baptist, Elijah or Jeremiah (Matt 16:14). Others didn’t understand him when he said people needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood (John 6:60-66). Jewish leaders mistakenly thought that he was born of fornication (John 8:41). Some accused him of being a Samaritan with a demon (John 8:48). They also thought that Jesus was a sinner for breaking the Sabbath (John 7:30). Others didn’t know where he was from (John 9:29). Some even thought that Jesus claimed to be God (John 5:18; 10:33).

Believers and non-believers have misunderstood Jesus as well. In 325 AD, the Christian Council of Nicaea voted to teach that Jesus was co-equal and co-eternal with God. The early ‘Apostle’s Creed’ was therefore amended to add what became known as the ‘Nicene Creed’. The Roman-led church officially declared that Jesus was actually the same person as God the Father! Somehow this mystery that Jesus is actually part of God became accepted doctrine to Christians. For the first time, monotheist Christians declared that there is one God in three persons, or a triune God. Why does this matter? Because Jesus said that hope for eternal life is dependent on correctly understanding this relationship. Jesus said: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

It is vital that we understand that Jesus is the Son of God, and not God the Son. Jesus generally called himself “Son of Man” and he was never called “God the Son.” He said that his Father is greater than he and that he (Jesus) was not even ‘good’ (John 14:28; Mark 10:18). Jesus taught that “God is one” (Not three — Mark 12:28-34) as faithful Jews had believed since Abraham. Jesus prayed to God, his Father and was always subservient to his Father (John 8:28). God raised Jesus from the grave and Jesus ascended to his Father (John 20:17). Clearly, Jesus believed that he was one in spirit with his Father, but not as one God. It’s how he could be humble and tempted. It’s how he willingly offered himself as a sacrifice as only a human could (Heb 7:26-28).

Jesus’ followers learned and applied the same belief about God. Paul believed in one God and, separately, that Jesus is His Son (1 Tim 2:5; 1 Cor 15:24-28; 1 Cor 8:6; 1 Cor 11:3; Eph 4:4-6). Jesus’ brother, James, wrote that God cannot be tempted, and yet Jesus was tempted (James 1:13; Heb 4:15). His most important Apostle, Peter, called Jesus “a man” after his resurrection, which would be offensive if Jesus was really God (Acts 2:22). The Bible says God cannot be seen or die, however Jesus was obviously seen and did die (1 Tim 6:16; 1 John 1:1).

The Bible says that believing in Jesus, as the Son of God, is required to be saved (Rom 10:9). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Thanks be to God for His incredible gift of hope, in Jesus.

“I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.” H. G. Wells, British writer.

“Life with Christ is an endless hope, without him a hopeless end.” (Anonymous)

“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Heb 9:28).

The Bible says:

• No one has any hope for eternal life apart from Jesus. Acts 4:12; Acts 2:32­ 36; Heb 7:25
• Jesus was the only begotten Son of God. Heb 1:1-4; John 3:16
• Jesus was the Son of God, but not God the Son. John 17:3; 1 Tim 2:5; 1 Cor 8:6; John 14:28 Chicago, Ill Ecclesia