I Believe that the Son Has Risen

-​S.J. Thomason

Website: https://christian-apologist.com/
​YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXWUbEB56k9nUMSrW14byJ

“I believe in Christianity like I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.”  - C.S. Lewis

“It is Christ Himself, not the Bible, who is the true word of God. The Bible, read in the right spirit and with the guidance of good teachers will bring us to Him. We must not use the Bible as a sort of encyclopedia out of which texts can be taken for use as weapons.” – C.S. Lewis

In the second quotation above, C.S. Lewis highlights the value of examining the person of Christ to come to a stronger understanding of Christianity. Accordingly, the intention of this article is to consider the person of Jesus Christ through messages he shared with us in the Bible.

Prince of Peace
Isaiah (9:6) predicted Jesus’ arrival when he said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The Good Shepherd
“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 my sheep…The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again.” (John 10:14-18).

The Forgiver
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27)
“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” (Luke 23:32-34).

The Healer
Jesus healed many, including a man with leprosy (John 5:12-16), a paralyzed man (John 5:17-26), a blind man (John 9:1-12), a dead man Lazarus (John 11:38-44), a demon possessed boy (Luke 9:37-43), a dead girl and a sick woman (Luke 8:40-56), a crippled woman (Luke 13:10-17).

The Obedient Son
“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed. ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:42-44).

The Politically Incorrect Who Stood Up For What He Believed
“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.” (Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11; Matthew 21:12-14).

The Wise Strategist
“Jesus entered the temple courts, and while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’ Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these this. John’s baptism – where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?’
They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say ‘Of human origin’- we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’
So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ Then he said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’” (Matthew 21:23-27).

The Friend in Low Places
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:13-14).

The Friend of the Children
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” (Matthew 19:14).
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The Son of Man
“But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed died in your sins…When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” (John 8:23-29).

“’But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.’” (Matthew 26:64).

 Conclusion
Jesus exemplified the perfect teacher and servant leader, so by following his example, we can take up our own crosses and become more like him. He is the Prince of Peace, the Son of Man, and the Savior of the World.
Thank you for your time.

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