The Word of God is Jesus

By Benjamin H. Liles

          In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:1-2, 14, NKJV

           To fully understand who Jesus Christ is there is a need to also understand Old Testament prophecy. Since there are literally hundreds of prophecies Jesus fulfilled I want to go over, rather quickly, which ones he fulfilled to show He is the Son of God.

           1) Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” This was fulfilled in Matthew: “So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us” (1:22-23).

           2) One of the psalmists wrote, “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). Judas Iscariot fulfilled this: “And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” “ (Luke 22:47-48).

           3) Finally, we come to Jesus Christ’ trial before Pontius Pilate, which Isaiah recorded, saying, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (53:7). “Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled” (Mark 15:4-5).

           Jesus never once sinned, which allowed Him to do the will of the Father. While He came down to Earth from Heaven He experienced the same as we do. He felt pain. He felt sorrow. He went through trials and tribulations. Since I have spoken so often how sin separates us from the Father, I’d much rather just say this last thing: Jesus went to the cross so that we can have everlasting life. It is a free gift; one which we have not earned. Our sin was given over to Him so we could have His righteousness given to us.

           How much more can we show the Father we truly belong to Him by placing our faith and trust in Him who can so easily save us? He doesn’t desire for anyone to perish. He desires to be glorified by blessing us through His wondrous mercy and grace. So, why keep on in sin when He bestows life to us? But the problem is until we ask Him to make us new, to give us His revealing knowledge of who He is and a desire to know Him, He can and will not give us mercy when we cry for it. The problem isn't with God it is with ourselves, our pride, our ego, and in keeping a hold on our sinful nature. We must be willing to let it go.

          Father, You are so holy that I find I dare not speak when You speak to me. I find myself prostrate on the ground before You. Just like with Isaiah I see how utterly sinful I am, that my lips are unclean, and I come from a people who are unclean. But You also called me out. You called me to be Your child; to know you, to walk with You, and to live Your truths out in my own life. Thank You for that. I praise You for allowing me to live life within You, and to live it to the fullest. Thanks for removing my sins "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12). I praise You also for giving Your Son Jesus for me so I have access to You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.