Hello, my ‘Walking with Jesus’ friends on this Tuesday,
Have you ever tried to explain God, to anyone, even to a child? Where do you begin?
For centuries, in every society of the world, human beings have struggled trying to understand and explain God. Who is God? How do we know God? What are God’s attributes? How does God interface with our universe, our planet earth and us humans? Is there one God or many gods?
The apostle Paul was trying to help the Christians know God in the big city of Corinth, Greece in the mid first century. We’re working our way through Paul’s first letter to them and today, let’s complete our close look at a very powerful statement Paul made about God: “I want you to realize that the head of every man is Jesus Christ; and the head of every wife is her husband; and the head of Jesus Christ is God.” (1 Cor. 11:3) Yesterday we looked closely at the first two phrases in this powerful statement, today let’s try to understand that last phrase: “the head of Jesus Christ is God.” What does that mean?
Yes, the Trinity or Tri-unity of Almighty God, is difficult for anyone of any generation to fully grasp. But the Bible makes it very clear God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons of the Divine Majesty, the Creator of the universe, the one, true, LIVING GOD. So, what does this mean: “the head of Jesus Christ is God”?
John 3:16 explains that God the Father SENT His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth, for the purpose of becoming our atonement sacrifice, so we could experience God’s forgiveness of our sin; (Eph. 1:7) and regeneration in us of a new spiritual nature by the Holy Spirit of God ; (John 3:3-7) and that we are reconciled by Jesus Christ the Son of God, back into the relationship with Holy God the Father, after our sin is pardoned. (2 Cor. 5:17-20; Rom. 8:14-17)
While Jesus was here on earth He frequently explained His submissive, obedient relationship with Almighty God, His Father. Jesus once said: “… I do nothing on My own but I speak just what the Father has taught Me. The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him…” (John 8:28,29) Do you see Jesus claiming that His words, His choices, His actions were all at the direction of God the Father?
In John 10 Jesus used the well known relationship between a shepherd and their sheep to explain the relationship between Holy God and sinful humans, made possible by Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus said: “I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me – just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father – and I lay down My life for the sheep…The works I do in My Father’s name testify about Me…” (John 10:14,15,25) Do you hear Jesus inviting humanity into a relationship with Him similar to what He has with His Father, God? Do you understand this is only possible because of Jesus’ obedience to His Father in all things?
And then Jesus confidently spoke of His ability to give eternal life to those of us who trust in Him by saying: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me, is greater than all, no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)
Do you hear Jesus’ very clear words about the unique relationship between Jesus and God the Father? Do you hear Jesus assuring His followers that we are safe in the hands of both Jesus and His Father?
In closing today, let’s look at one more very powerful Scripture which helps us understand why Paul wrote: “the head of Jesus Christ is God,” (1 Cor. 11:3) Hebrews 5:7,8 says: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered, and once made perfect He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him…” Yes, Jesus prayed often to His heavenly Father, seeking guidance. And in the Garden of Gethsemane Matthew records Jesus’ agony was extreme as He submitted to the Father’s Redemption plan requiring Jesus’ atonement death. (Matt. 26:36-46) Jesus’ obedience to God His Father, especially in His suffering and death on the cross, is the ultimate evidence of Paul’s statement: “the head of Jesus Christ is God,” (1 Cor. 11:3)
In fact Hebrews 12:2 tells us Jesus “endured the cross, scorning its shame…for the joy set before Him.” What is this joy that enabled Jesus to endure the cross? It is what Jesus is NOW experiencing as He was resurrected and ascended back to heaven and now sits on His throne at the right hand of God the Father, (Heb. 1:3) supreme over all, and leading His global Church to accomplish the Father’s purposes in our world. (Matt. 16:18) That is remarkable, isn’t it? Can we say we now understand Paul’s statement: “the head of Jesus Christ is God“?
Oh my, so many wonderful truths for us to consider today and therefore the ‘lessons learned’ will be very helpful at the link just below. And I know you’ll enjoy the great worship song I’ve selected for today, and let’s meet here again tomorrow.
Today’s Scripture: 1 Cor. 11:3
Choose below to read or listen.
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Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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