bible study from OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008
Who Is Jesus Christ?
PREPARED BY CHET R. ECHELBARGER
Many recognize the name Jesus Christ and profess to follow Him. Most who claim to know Him have not stopped to consider who He is. What is He like? What does He really look like?
Most of us can form a clear image in our minds of how He is typically portrayed. He’s that individual in artists' depictions with a gaunt look, effeminate physique, long hair, wearing a halo, flowing robes and a sickly expression. We’ve all seen many pictures of the person that is supposed to be the Son of God. Are these correct?
It may come as a surprise, but this is not the Christ described in the Bible. Actually, as we look into God’s Word, we shall see that many of the things said about Him, as well as artists’ renditions of His appearance, are grossly inaccurate. So let’s look to the Bible to see what it has to tell us about Jesus Christ.
Before we do, make sure to get your Bible, a pencil and a piece of paper or a notebook to record your findings along with the associated scriptures.
(1) Did this Personage named Jesus Christ, who walked this earth, exist prior to His physical life? John 1:1-3. As we can see, He was the second member of the powerful God Family and was called the “Word” (meaning spokesman). He existed from eternity with “God,” (meaning God the Father) as verse 2 points out. Together, the two of them planned and created the entire universe. Did this God-being called the “Word” ever become physical flesh? John 1:14. In order for this to happen, it necessitated him to divest himself of His former glory as a God-being so that He could come down to this earth as a human being to give His life in payment for the sins of mankind. Notice further proof of His former existence in John 1:15. Speaking of Jesus Christ, how could John the Baptist say “He was before me” when he (John the Baptist) was actually older?
There is only one explanation for this. This human being called Jesus Christ did have a prior existence.
(2) Who was the God of the Old Testament who intervened through many miracles to deliver the Israelites during the time of Moses and the exodus? I Corinthians 10:1-4. As evidenced in scripture, Jesus Christ was the God of the Old Testament who gave them the Law of God (the Ten Commandments) and worked directly with those whom He had called.
(3) Prior to Christ coming to this earth, did mankind have any knowledge of God the Father? Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22. This shows that without Christ (the Son) revealing the Father, He would be unknown to mankind. Did He reveal the Father by the examples of His life? John 14:7 and last part of verse 9.
Since Christ led by example and our lives are to shadow His, let’s look into the Scriptures to learn more about Him.
(4) What was Jesus like as a young person? Luke 2:40, 52. Was He disobedient and unruly or in subjection and obedient to His parents? Verse 51. Did He display unusual intelligence? Luke 2:42, 46-47. As an adult, were people still amazed at His God-given understanding, wisdom and knowledge? Matthew 13:54; John 7:14-17.
(5) What about looks? The prophet Isaiah wrote about this matter hundreds of years before Christ came to this earth. Did he mention that Jesus would be a particularly handsome person? Isaiah 53:2. Was He a unique individual that stood out among crowds? Matthew 26:48-50.
Judas had to specifically point Him out to His enemies with a betrayal kiss. This indicates that He was an ordinary looking individual, not unlike the average man of His day. He did not stand out among the crowd because of unique features.
(6) What about His long hair? Surely that would set Him apart since that would have been an aberration of the accepted style of His day. But this idea is false. How do we know that? I Corinthians 11:14.
The Apostle Paul would have been aware of Christ’s appearance, since he would have actually seen Him. I Corinthians 9:1, 15:8. Paul would not have said what he said nor would Christ have done anything that was shameful or dishonorable such as wearing His hair long!
(7) What was Jesus’ occupation? Mark 6:3.
This profession would have required much physical exertion, necessitating strong muscles and a rugged physique. How do we know that? Consider that the carpenters of His day worked with heavy stones and timbers to build houses from the ground up. All work was done by hand without power tools like saws and drills. This was heavy work that undoubtedly resulted in strong muscles, calloused hands and a tanned complexion from working many hours in the hot sun.
(8) Are there other indications from scripture that Christ must have been physically strong, healthy and fit? Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 15:15.
One might wonder: If Christ were as frail and gaunt as He often is pictured, could such an individual actually have fasted 40 days straight without food or water? Also, such a physically weak person would not be able to survive the Roman scourging. Such pre-conditioning was not designed to kill a person but would make such a person wish they were dead to eliminate the resulting excruciating pain. This horribly severe beating would actually tear pieces of skin and flesh from the body. The pain would be unimaginable, sapping the strength from His body!
(9) Being the rugged individual that He was, did this enable Him to lead other rugged and strong men? Luke 5:8-11. Does Scripture reveal the personality of two of His disciples by the nickname He assigned them? Mark 3:17.
Christ possessed the attributes of a real man, one who could lead rugged and masculine men like Peter, a hard-working commercial fisherman.
(10) Were multitudes able to hear Him speak because of His dynamic, powerful voice? Matthew 15:10.
There was no electronic amplification equipment so He relied solely on the power of His own voice to reach out to the multitudes.
(11) Did Christ ever express other emotions such as indignation and anger when the situation warranted it? John 2:13-17; Mark 11:15-17. Was He bashful and timid when denouncing the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees? Matthew 23:13-33. Does this passage sound like the words of one who might be passive and indifferent to what was occurring?
Christ could express anger for the right reasons and righteous indignation when necessary. He drove the money changers out of the temple. He was angry with those who misused God’s temple, transforming it into a house of merchandise and a den of thieves. There were other times He stood boldly before the religious leaders to publicly denounce their hypocrisy.
(12) Were there occasions where Jesus expressed feelings of sorrow, agony and was He acquainted with grief and suffering? Isaiah 53:3; Luke 22:44. The whole chapter of Isaiah 53 is a prophecy of His life and what He was to experience. (You should consider reading the whole chapter.) Did Christ have a compassionate side that was full of joy, mercy and love? Mark 6:34; John 15:9-13. Did He ever express emotions like crying? John 11:35.
Christ was a loving, caring and compassionate individual who had empathy for the needs and suffering of mankind.
He said He came to serve and not be served. Scripture cites examples of when He healed the leprous, the blind, deaf, cast out demons, fed hungry crowds that came to hear Him preach and even resurrected the dead. Though these acts of compassion were done through miracles, Christ knew where that power originated from (John 5:30, 14:10). He always gave the credit to His Father, who performed the works through the power of the Holy Spirit.
(13) Did Jesus discriminate in associating with various people or did He interact with people from all walks of life, including children? Matthew 9:11; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 7:36. Did this stem from His love of serving people? Acts 10:38. His love and concern for all people brought Him into various social functions and settings. In such an environment He would enjoy good food and drink. Even though He always practiced perfect self-control, did it exempt Him from criticism? Luke 7:33-34.
(14) He possessed an understanding of human relationships and practical knowledge of many different areas of life. Here are just a few examples cited in Scripture. Luke 21:1-4; 12:13-21; Matthew 20:1-16, 23:23; Luke 19:12-26.
The parables that He told clearly showed His knowledge of employee and employer relationships, proper money management and having life’s priorities in the right order. He achieved this by interweaving secular anecdotes with spiritual implications through the parables, which aided Him in teaching spiritual lessons to the disciples.
(15) Did Christ advocate any form of rebellion or did He teach obedience to the civil government? Matthew 23:2-3, 17:24-27, 22:17-21.
He always taught obedience to the laws of the civil government unless it required one to disobey God. His compliance with laws of taxation and paying tribute to the Roman government prove this. If we are to be followers of Him, then He would expect us to do what He himself was willing to do.
(16) Many are taught that they no longer have to keep God’s Commandments, that Christ kept them perfectly for us, negating our responsibility to observe them. Little do they know that He was the God of the Old Testament, who originally gave them and commanded His people to obey them. Did He have a change of mind? Malachi 3:6 (first part of verse). Did Christ set the proper example for us to follow in obeying the Commandments? John 15:10. The keeping of the Commandments is how we express godly love. Did Jesus instruct others to follow His example? Matthew 19:17. Jesus was able to keep the Commandments perfectly by utilizing the power of God’s Holy Spirit and refusing to give in to temptation. Christ was the Son of God, and is now our High Priest. Though He lived during a different time period, was He exposed to less temptation than we are now? Hebrews 4:15. He experienced every form of temptation that we experience today, but by relying on the power of God’s Holy Spirit, He was able to overcome them.
(17) Did Christ teach those who follow His example to develop the character of God? Matthew 5:48. If they are to be true followers, should they live their lives as He lived and follow in His footsteps? I Peter 2:21; I John 2:6.
We have an Advocate, a High Priest that provides us with a perfect example of how to live. The few examples we examined show His obedience to God and His caring service to humanity. The true Jesus Christ of the Bible was a real man with short hair, who paid taxes. He submitted to the laws of the land, and, most importantly, He taught obedience to God’s laws that produce righteous living. The Jesus Christ of your Bible is a mentor whom all should admire and want to emulate!