RESPONDING TO THE SUPREMACY OF JESUS

RESPONDING TO THE SUPREMACY OF JESUS

The Bible reveals the supreme love and greatness of Jesus Christ the Son of God. However, many people rejected him. But “to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

DEMONSTRATIONS OF JESUS’ SUPREMACY

The Bible shows that God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ demonstrated the greatest love of all, in dying for all mankind, while we were yet sinner and enemies of God (John 3:16; John 15:13; Romans 8:8).

He did miracles works–such as calming a stormy sea (Luke 8:22-25) and raising the dead (John 11:38-44)–which no one else could do (John 15:24; John 20:30-31).

He fulfilled all prophecies concerning God’s promised Messianic Savior of the world (Luke 24:44-48).

And after his crucifixion and resurrection from the dead he ascended into heaven, assuring those who believe in him he will return to take them to live with him in heavenly glory (John 14:3).

NEGATIVE RESPONSES TO CHRIST’S SUPREMACY

The Bible informs us of several reasons many people reject Jesus despite his superior love and greatness.

Some, like Pharisees and Pilate, love position and power more than they love the praise of God (Matthew 23:6; Mark 15:1-15; John 12: 43).
Some, like a rich young man who met Jesus, love money and material possessions more than they care to follow Jesus (Matthew 19:16-22).
Some love their family and those close to them more than Jesus (Luke 9:59-61; Matthew 10:37).
Many Love the things in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—which comes not from the Father but from the world (1 John 2:16).
“Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

Jesus said the people of this generation who fail to recognize and accept him are without excuse. For he said many people of the Old Testament highly regarded men like the prophet Jonah and King Solomon for doing far lesser things than the things the Lord did (Matthew 12:41-42).

Yet because of the Lord’s great love, he desires that everyone come to truly know him and have a loving and lasting relationship with him. He instructs those who know him to reach out in love with the good news of his love and greatness so others might come to recognize and accept him as their Savior and Lord (John 3:16; Luke 14:23).

HOW ALL SHOULD RESPOND TO HIS SUPREMACY

The biblical Word of God tells us how all should respond to the supreme love and greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Truly repent and believe in Jesus Christ’s atonement for our sins (John 3:16; Acts 2:38).
Seek to become more like him in all we do and say (Romans 8:29)
Love the Lord by obeying his commandments (John 14:15)
Share the Word of God about salvation through Jesus Christ to all people (John 3:16; Mark 16:15-16).
Pray for all people to believe the truth of salvation though Jesus Christ(1 Timothy 2:1-4).
“’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow,^(S)in heaven and on earth and under the earth,^(T)¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,^(U)to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

In our accepting the supreme love and greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Bible says, we are saved from our sins (John 3:16); filled with the Spirit of God (John 14:15-17, Romans 8:9); and will go to live with God in heaven forever (John 14:3)