JESUS IS GOD’S LIVING WORD
The written Word of God says: Jesus Christ is the living Word of God, by whom God made all things (John 1:1-3). He is the only begotten Son of God, who became flesh and lived among us (John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-9). The Son made God the Father known to the world (John 1:17-18).
And “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12; John 3:16; John 14:6).
OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS WROTE ABOUT GOD’S LIVING WORD
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2). When Jesus came, he said he fulfilled everything “that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. He said his disciples were eyewitness of what he did and said, testifying of his doing what God’s prophets said the promised one would do.(Luke24:44-48; John 20:30-31).
MOSES. He was perhaps the greatest OT leader of God people. God enabled him to perform miracles like dividing the Red Sea for the people to escape from their enemies; and causing manna (bread) to rain down from heaven to feed them as they travel through the desert. God gave him laws, and instructions for the people to follow in offering sacrifices to atone for their sins. However, Moses told the people God would send another leader like him whom they should listen to (Deuteronomy 18:15).
When he came, “Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Mathew 17:1-5).
Jesus also came to his people and did miraculous, “works no one else did.” He manifested his power over the natural and spiritual worlds: He calmed furious seas, raised people from the dead, demonstrated power over demons, healed all manner of sickness. Nevertheless, some did not believe that he was the Son of God. (John 15:24; Matthew 8;24-26; Acts 10:38). But to those who believed that he was the Son of God, he gave the right to become the children of God (John 1:11-12).
The Old Testament system of annual sacrifices of animals to atone for sin, God established through Moses, was replaced by the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross. (Hebrew 10:1-10).
ISAIAH. This Prophet said the Lord would give us a son, born of a virgin who will be called “Mighty God,” “Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” And he would be slaughtered like a lamb for sin of God’s people. (Isaiah 9:6; Isa. 7:14; Isa. 53:5-8).
The New Testament refers to Isaiah’s prophecy at Jesus’s birth (Matthew 1:23-25)—And when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to be baptized, and said to a gathering of people ,“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
DAVID. The Psalmist wrote: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.’” He also wrote, “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let you faithful one [Holy One] see decay.”
Jesus and his apostles said these things written by David refers to the Lord Jesus Christ regarding his resurrection. (Matthew 22:44; Acts 2: 29-36).
JESUS’ EYEWITNESS DISCIPLES WROTE ABOUT HIM AS THE LIVING WORD
Disciples of Jesus witnessed what Jesus said and did. They wrote about him in the New Testament, and their testimonies agree with one another. Jesus affirmed them, in telling them “you are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48). His disciple John said, Jesus performed too many things in the presence of his disciples, to be written down. But things written, were written “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31).
The following are only a few of the things written in the Bible that may help us to accept and proclaim Jesus as the Son of God who came in the flesh as the as the living Word of God to save us from our sins:
PHILIPPIANS 2:6-8. Though Jesus was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
ROMANS 5:8. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 3 :23; 6:23).
JOHN 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
JOHN 14:2-3. Jesus said, In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
ROMANS 6: 4-5. just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father… we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Acts 1:11).
