Jesus Is The Way

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

Jesus is the way. He is the answer to life’s great riddle. People continually search for a path to follow, a way toward better things. Academics, sports, professions, politics, hobbies, clubs, societies, and special interests offer paths to pursue, and this is good. God intended man to be creative and industrious, just as He is, but without His higher purpose, all of these paths lead to the same familiar dead end, an empty heart.

Just any way won’t do. There are many dark paths lurking behind the door of a wrong decision, in moment of weakness, or within the seeming innocence of ignorance. People pursue paths that lead to destruction because of emptiness, disillusionment, self-loathing, or simply deception. Man is as wild as a rogue grizzly, yet as lost and vulnerable as a lone sheep.

Jesus is the Shepherd and the sacrificial Lamb. He is God, manifest in the form of man to show the way, as a shepherd guides his flock (John 1; Psalm 23). He lived the ideal life inspired by His love for God the Father and all men. never straying from the path. His footprints still show the way. 

His life and character are revealed in the scripture, penned by the hands of His closest disciples. He gave His innocent life as a sacrifice for sinners, making it possible for all to receive life instead of death, and be restored to relationship with a holy God (John 3:16). Through the example of His life, and the payment of His blood, Jesus is the way to being like God in our character and being with God in our fellowship. The way. The only way.

Resurrected Or Not?

What are the evidence and arguments for and against the resurrection? The main objection to the resurrection today isn’t even verifiable evidence at all; rather it’s a philosophical argument.  It is argued that since no miracles are scientifically observable today, no miracles have ever happened. This is not sound logic, but rather materialistic, naturalist presumption. This is no stronger proof against the resurrection that the simple assertion that, “We don’t believe it.”  Still, this is the strongest and most common argument that is used today.  

On the other hand, the evidence for the resurrection is strong and multifaceted.  The direct evidence includes the predictive prophesies of the Old Testament and by Jesus in the gospels. There were the many witnesses who saw Jesus after there resurrection and the miracles worked by the apostles as they preached that Jesus was raised. Then there is the circumstantial evidence of the changed character of the apostles after the resurrection, the rapid spread of the church and its continued existence to this day.  

Christians can, and should, face with confidence any challenge to the historical proof of the resurrection. The apostle Paul did so in 1 Cor. 15. He considered whether or not Jesus was raised and argued with convincing proof that He was. Paul affirmed the inspiration of the gospel message, listed the witnesses, presented the effects of resurrection not taking place, then told what the results of the resurrection will be and quoted a predictive prophecies concerning it. Study the scriptures, consider the proof of the resurrection, consider the alternatives, consider its effects and believe.

Jesus Questioned On Taxes

The of the four gospels record that Jesus was questions about paying tribute (tax) to Caesar. (Matt. 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26) The Pharisees did this after taking counsel together on how to trap Him, even including the Herodians in on the plan. 

They sent people pretending to be honest seekers to ask the question. Their hope was that he would play to the crowd and denounce the Roman governance (an easy thing to do) and then they could accuse Him of fomenting rebellion. 

Jesus easily saw through their ruse but still fully answered the question. He said that we should give the rulers of our land (whoever they are, and whatever land we’re in) what is rightfully due them. They have the power to tax us. The fact that the Jews were using Roman coins showed who was in charge, as did their armies in Jewish cities. 

But Jesus also acknowledged a higher and more important duty – the duty to God that we have wherever we are and no matter who civil authority does. So “Give to Caesar’s what’s Caesar’s, and to God what’s God’s.” Caesar is our king. God is our God. 

Those determined to condemn Jesus ignored His answer and told the authorities what they’d wished Jesus had said. “And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” (Luke 23:2They lied about His answer because truth was not their goal.

Jesus Walked On The Ice?

“Jesus may not have walked on water as the Bible claims but rather skated on ice formed through a freak cold spell, a scientific study has suggested.”  (BBC News, “Did Jesus walk on water - or ice?” April 5, 2006, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4881108.stm). 

A few years ago, in a silly attempt to give a naturalistic explanation for a miracle, a professor at Florida State made news by “seriously” proposing that Jesus’ miracle of walking on the water was really just Him shuffling along on ice. The professor made got lots of press with this for a few weeks. 

Many “scientific,” “rational,” cynical, and skeptical men look down on people who still take their faith seriously enough to believe in miracles.  They view believers as gullible simpletons of the same type as those who fear or use magic spells and witch doctors. Yet it is the folly of unbelief that leads men to the acceptance of truly fantastical things.

What would it say about Jesus’ moral judgment if He chastised Peter for lack of faith when he merely fell off the ice?  (How well would you do walking on ice at night in a storm?)  And what would it say about the character of Jesus if He accepted worship as the Son of God on the basis of being able to walk on water and calm the storm when He really just skated out to the boat?  

The “scientific” explanation removes the stumbling block of the miracle for the skeptic, but it attacks the credibility and character of Jesus and the inspiration of the scriptures. The folly rationalists is apparent even as they look down on us for believing in miracles.

“Judge Not, Lest You Be Judged”

These words from the sermon on the Mount (Matt. 7:1-5) turn out to be some of the most famous words Jesus said, but unfortunately not always for the right reasons. These words are often used as a bludgeon against those who are raising concerns about objectionable or sinful conduct. These is obviously a misuse, since some judgement is required as we go through life. 

While this passage is commonly misused, it does have a true use and Jesus’ words are to be carefully considered for what they do mean, not just what they do not. The lesson here is to judge fairly, rightly, and with a generous spirit since that is how we will be judged as well.  The whole teaching of Jesus on the sermon on the mount is to be generous in our giving and helping of others, and our treatment of them even if they are different from us or have done us harm. 

This generosity of spirit is to extend to the way that we judge them as well. Think of how unfair it is the judge people based on standards that they do not know, or to excuse our friends and family (and especially ourselves) but to never excuse faults in others. The Pharisees were especially known for finding all faults in others but never finding faults in themselves. Or, as Jesus brings up with the log (beam) and the speck, making much of small faults in others while overlooking large faults in those that we favor. 

“The commandment is leveled at rash, censorious and uncharitable judgments, and that fault-finding spirit or disposition which condemns upon surmise without examination…forgetful that we also shall stand in the judgment and shall need mercy.  (McGarvey, Fourfold Gospel.”)

Jesus Healed The Man Let Down Through The Roof Mark 2:1-12

After the shock of a man being lowered through the ceiling, every eye was on Jesus, the man the sick man was trying to get to, waiting to see what He would do. He spoke of the only thing that matters: Faith! Verse 4 says that Jesus “saw their faith.” (Oh, that we all had a faith that could be seen!) Because of this show of faith Jesus granted forgiveness immediately. 

The forgiveness that comes by faith is the thing we need above all else. Of all our problems spiritual ones are the most important and should be taken care of first. This is what the gospel is about. Not self-help, therapy, counseling, etc. but salvation. From the beginning of the gospel we are told of Jesus’ priority: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Sadly, all through theministry of Jesus, the scribes complained about how Jesus was forgiving sins, rather than celebrating that people were being forgiven. 

Jesus did also heal the man of his physical problems. This was necessary, but it was secondary. Jesus healed the man to prove that He had to power to forgive sins. The visible (healing) was the proof that the invisible (forgiveness) had actually happened. Isn’t that true today as well? How do we know one is saved today except that they act like it? The gospel solves so many of our personal and social problems, but that’s a secondary effect of it, not its purpose. The secondary benefits of the gospel are undeniable, but that is not its purpose. Forgiveness and salvation are the point and purpose.

The Everlasting Father Of Isaiah 9:6

Isa. 9:6,7  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

    and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

        and his name shall be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

        Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

    Of the increase of his government and of peace

        there will be no end,

    on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

        to establish it and to uphold it

    with justice and with righteousness

        from this time forth and forevermore.

    The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”

We often think of Jesus as a son to the Father and as a brother to us, and these are His primary relationships. But these are not the only relationships that Jesus has with us. He is our Lord (1 Pet. 1:3), our priest (Heb. 7:26), our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5), a mediator (Heb. 9:15), an advocate (1 Jn. 2:1), and many other things to us. In Isaiah 9, He is also the “Everlasting Father.” We with absolute certainty that Jesus is the subject of this prophecy since He is the one who sits on the throne of David in the kingdom of God.

While a son to the Heavenly Father, He is a father to us. Jesus. A fatherever there, ever living, ever hearing, ever helping, every meditating, every lasting.

Consider Jesus: I Am

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

What a person says about themselves is of great importance. To get to know about a person that you have never met you can use two sources to find out about him.  You examine what he says and/or what others say about him. But only in what they themselves say are you assured that you can know their inner thoughts and views. 

Jesus, especially in the gospel of John, said many things about Himself.  Some of those things are:

I am the resurrection and the life   Jn. 11:1-4

I am the Son of GodJn. 5

I am the bread of lifeJn. 6

I am from HimJn. 7:14-30  

I am the light of the world   Jn. 9:1-5; 8:12

I am the Door of the Sheep   Jn. 10:1-10

I am the good shepherdJn. 10:17,18

I am the way, the truth, and the life   Jn. 14:6

I am in the FatherJn. 14:6-11

I am the vine Jn 15

I am king Jn. 18:37

As important to us as all great truths that things are, we should also consider one great “I am” statement in Matthew. Jesus assures us that “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” (Matt. 18:20)

Consider Jesus: Horn of Salvation

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

At the birth of John the Baptist, his father, the priest Zacharias, prophesied about what was coming and what his son, the prophet was preparing for. Jesus is called to the “horn of salvation” in the house of David.

Luke 1:68“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,  69  And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant—  70As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—  71Salvation from our enemies. And from the hand of all who hate us;  72  To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant,  73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father”

This the third time in scriptures that the phrase “horn of salvation” occurs. The other two times it occurs are actually the same song of David, the great song of deliverance recorded in the opening of 2 Sam. 22 and Ps. 18.  “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”  

The salvation that Jehovah God was to David, Zacharias foresees coming as coming again in the work that Christ would do. For both David and Zacharias the deliverance that they sought was the work of God, and it was ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Christ.

Consider Jesus: Our Hope

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

People viscerally know that earthly existence is ultimately unsatisfying and that true contentment and fulfillment escape us even when worldly circumstances are favorable. Those without faith, and a worldview diminished by selfishness, look to a change of fortune or circumstances to find fulfillment. Others have a spiritual hope, but false spiritual hopes, such as reincarnation or universalism, are weak and unsatisfactory. 

Compared to this is the great bright hope of Christianity believing in “God our Savior, and…Christ Jesus, who is our hope.” (1 Tim. 1:1)

Such hope was present in the Old Testament, “For Thou art my hope; O Lord GOD, Thou art my confidence from my youth.” (Ps. 71:5) And “I have hope in Him.” (Lam. 3:24) Now this “hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,” (Tit. 1:2) is realized in Jesus. 

Jesus, the embodiment of our hope, is the one who came from Heaven to show us the way back there by reconciled us to God and our brothers along the way. This is much better than hoping in riches (1 Tim. 6:17) or any of the vain things of this world.

This hope enlivens everything we do 1 Tim. 4:10 “For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.”, knowing that it will all go well for us if we do. “Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” (Tit. 2:13) 

So “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13)

Consider Jesus: The Holy One

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

From the beginning to end, Jesus was the holy one of God.  Before His birth, He was “the holy Child [that] shall be called the Son of God.”  (Luke 1:35) and so at his birth, he was the “holy child” conceived by the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 1:18-20) 

In the beginning of his ministry, he was acknowledged by the frightened demons as “Jesus of Nazareth…I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24 and Luke 4:34) 

His truest friends acknowledged the same thing. “Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”” (Jn. 6:68,69)

Peter would later pray to God, twice acknowledging Jesus as “Your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:27,30) He was preached as the God’s “HOLY ONE” who would not “UNDERGO DECAY” (Acts 2:26,17; 13:35)   

In the epistle who are taught to the priesthood and blessings of Him as the holy one. “For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens” (Heb. 7:26) “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.” (1 Jn. 2:20)

And finally, He gave this testimony of Himself in His message to the church in Philadelphia: “He who is holy, who is true…” (Rev. 3:7)

Consider Jesus: High Priest

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Heb. 4:14-16“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The promise of the Psalm (110:4) was that the Messiah would be a priest forever, not of the linage of Levi, but of Melchizedek. In Him, and not the Levitical priesthood of the was, is the hope of one who would bring salvation. (Heb. 5:9) 

Jesus did met all the priestly qualification. He was called by God to His post. (Heb. 5:4-6) He offered acceptable sacrifice, in His case, He was both sacrifice and the officiant. (Heb. 7:27; Jn. 10:17,18) And then he interceded with God for man. (1 Tim. 3:15).

Also, being a High Priest, it is clear that He is a head of a class of priests. He has made His followers to be priests (Rev. 1:6) and to service in His temple, the church. (1 Pet. 2:9)

So Jesus is our head priest (and the sacrifice also) who stands near to God for for us and “He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).

Consider Jesus: Heir Of All Things

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Heb. 2:1“in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

Since He is the true son of theFather, He is the natural and rightful heir. Please note, as Paul did, that “all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1: 16). 

The scriptures often affirm His rightful ownership. “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father” (Matt. 11:27)  “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.”  (Jn. 3:35) “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands…” (Jn. 13:3)

Jesus Himself also affirmed the same things. “All things that the Father has are Mine” (Jn. 16:16) and “...All things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine” (Jn. 17:10)

It is all His be right of creation and inheritance, from the farthest star to the darkest corner, it all belongs to Him. Satan has taken adverse possession of it as a squatter and a thief and as a leader of others who are with him in staking their illegitimate claim. But the legal and rightful heir will one day take possession back. 

The glorious thing for us it that He has made us to be heirs with Him. (Rom. 8:17; Gal. 3:29, 4:7) He who has all things, including eternal life, has and will fully share them with us.

Consider Jesus: The Head

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

1 Cor. 11:3“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.”

The New Testament repeatedly affirms the headship, the authority and position, of Jesus. He is often styled as the “head of the church” or “head of the body.” (Eph. 1:22, 4:15, 5:23, Col. 1:18, 2:19). He leads, directs, guides, provisions and ultimately saves His church. 

Jesus’ headship over the church is also seen in the fulfillment of the oft-repeated prophecy that He would be made the “chief corner stone” (From Ps. 118:22, said to fulfilled by Christ in Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11 and 1 Pet. 2:7). Some modern translations render this as simply “corner stone” since buildings tend to have but one, and more literal translations give it as “chief corner stone,” but quite literally, if somewhat ineloquently in modern English, “head of the corner.” He is the standard of all that is built in the church. 

But He is not just the head (has the position of authority over) over those who submit to Him, but He is the head of “all rule and authority.” (Col. 2:10) There is not authority that is not under Him. There are some in rebellion to Him, not acknowledging that “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matt. 28:18)

The headship (authority) of Jesus is such that He is the rightful head of all, even those who don’t acknowledge it.  “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man” (1 Cor. 11:3)

Consider Jesus: Governor, Ruler

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Matt. 2:6 “AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER [Governor - KJV], WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.”

The promise is the He will “rule” or “shepherd” God’s people (literally, “oversee and feed”). The great promised the Messiah coming to Israel was to be born in the somewhat obscure town of Bethlehem. The Jewish authorities were easily able to point the magi to the right place when they came looking for the newborn king. 

They all knew that the ruler to come was from Bethlehem, but the rulers of the Jews mistook the type of ruler He would be. Isaiah prophesied that He would have the government on his shoulders, and He would be a great rulers: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:6) 

Prophecies of the great ruler to come often spoke of His caring nature as well as His great authority.  The prophecy of Micah 5:2 speaks of Him as ruler while just two verses later, vs. 4, speaks of Him as shepherd. He is a ruler, but one who very much has these best interest of those He rules in mind. 

He is a ruler, a governor, but one with authority and concern like no other.

Consider Jesus: God, The True God

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

1 Jn. 5:19,20 “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 20 “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know shim who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” ESV

The last statement of 1 Jn. 5 :20 is a summary and restatement of the truth John had explained at longer length above. Some translations give the restatement as “He is the true God…” and others, “This is the true God…” Some think summary states that the God with us the true one and Jesus His son is the way of eternal life. This is true. Others think this summary states that Jesus Himself is the true God and is the way of eternal life. This is true as well. Which of these senses John means here, you may decide for yourself. 

When John uses the phrase, “The true God” it is to tie belief in Jesus with Jehovah, the living God of in the Old Testament (Ref. 2 Chron. 15:3; Jer. 10:10) as is also done by Jesus Himself and Paul. (Jn. 17:3; 1 Thess. 1:9)  

This great continuity of truth embodied in Jesus is the source of our salvation. He is the true God.

Consider Jesus: God With Us

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Matt. 1:22-25  “Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 23  “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” 24  And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife, 25  and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.”

In this familiar passage, Matthew opens the record of the birth of Jesus with the story of Jesus’ history and a quote from Isaiah 7. The quote from Isaiah sets the life of Jesus from the very start as central to the prophesied plan of God, it explains the highly unusual circumstances of His birth, and establishes Jesus as divine, “God with us.”

Jesus is “God with us,” sharing with us, being us. He was not just “God to us,” showing us God, which He did.  And He was not “God similar to us,” being like us in appearance only.  

Instead, there is a great comfort in the reciprocal nature of God’s appearance among man “with us”. He came as man, and in every relevant way like us, while also being divine in nature and expressing deity here. And “with” us, “for” us, coming to help us.

Consider Jesus: God Manifest In The Flesh

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

1 Tim. 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” KJV

Here is the great mystery of God, that God would come in the flesh. He came as a man to redeem man. He came as God to reveal God to us. 

The scriptures as equally and readily affirm Jesus as God in one passage and man in the next. He’s the son of God and the son of man.  

Jn. 1:14 “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Rom. 1:3,4  “His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord”

This is a fact hard to explain. The scriptures simply tell us that Mary was overshadowed by the Spirit and through this she conceived. (Ref. Luke 1:35-38) The faith of many has floundered and many heresies have sprung up in trying to explain more than the scriptures affirm and the faithful have always believed: That God was with us in the person of Jesus.

Considering Jesus: God Blessed Forever

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

Rom. 9:4,5 “Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.”

This proclamation is parallel to the one that Paul opened the books of Romans with. 

Romans 1:3,4  “concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord”

In both of these passages, the line of reasoning is the same. Jesus, who is from the Jews, the descendant of David, according to his fleshly body, is also Divine. And not just slightly elevated, a demi-god, a noble personage, but truly the God, our Lord. He is the one blessed forever. The Jews had already been worshipping Him as God when they worshipped Jehovah in truth, and now we have His person fully known to us and still blessed forever. 

This is the same conclusion that Peter preached and taught as he told people about the work of God that was accomplished in Jesus: “preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)” (Acts 10:36)

Considering Jesus: Jesus is God

Let us continue to “consider Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) 

John begins his gospel by stating “the Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1). This is a fact that scripture affirms in a variety of interesting claims. 

Early on in his gospel, Matthew tells us of His coming and its meaning. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” (1:23)

Peter tells us that He is our “God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:1). This agrees with the prophecy of Isaiah that “your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.” (Isa 54:5)

The apostle Paul declared him to be, “the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” in Romans 9:5. and the we should all be,  “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” in Titus 2:13.

Paul records for us a little poem, likely an early hymn, that tells the whole story of Jesus in a few words. “By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He [God] who was revealed in the flesh,/Was vindicated in the Spirit,/Seen by angels,/Proclaimed among the nations,/Believed on in the world,/Taken up in glory.” (1 Tim. 3:16)

As John summarizes for us as revelation was coming to come to a close: “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” (1 Jn. 5:20)