Consider Jesus, Growing in Grace

In chapter 22 of Great Doctrines of the Bible, Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights four reasons Scripture gives for everyone to consider Jesus:

He is the fulfillment of all prophecies and promises

Jesus himself teaches that all of Scripture points to himself (John 5:39; Luke 24:27). He is the seed promised in Genesis 3:15, and Galatians 3:16 teaches that he is the seed that was promised to Abraham in Gen. 17. He is the lion from the tribe of Judah who will never cease to reign (Gen. 49:10). The seventy weeks discussed in Daniel 9:24-26 takes one directly to the coming of our Lord Jesus. Hag. 2:9 speaks of the glory of the latter house, and Micah 5:2 prophesies that he’ll come from Bethlehem. He is the righteous branch from David who “shall reign as king and deal wisely, and execute justice and righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). Not only will he be a king, but also a prophet (Deu. 18:18) and a priest (Isaiah 53:10). Isaiah 7 teaches that he will be born of a virgin, as quoted in Matt. 1:22-23. Psalm 2:6, Psalm 45 and Isaiah 9:6-7 all teach that he is the king of a universal empire. Although a king, he will be despised and rejected by men and a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53). He is a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6; 60:3) who will ride to Jerusalem on a donkey (Zech. 9:9). We are told beforehand that he would be sold for thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12-13), lots would be cast for His garments (Psalm 22:18), he would be given vinegar to drink (Psalm 69:21), and would cry out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1).

There are many more passages that could be examined. Different writers from different time periods all pointing forward and finding their fulfillment in one person. This shows us not only the inspiration of Scripture, but the power and majesty of our great and sovereign God to accomplish it all.

He is the only one who can reconcile us to God

Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews. 12:24). He explicitly tells us that he is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). Acts 4:12 teaches that here is no other name by which we must be saved.

Many try to argue that there are many ways to God. We might all take different paths up the mountain, but we all get to the top where the same “god” dwells. According to this theory, some may take the path of Christianity, others may go the Muslim route, but we all make it to the top. The problem with this theory is the Jesus explicitly denies that there is any other way. There is only one God and the only way we are reconciled to him is through Christ. MLJ states, “That, then, is the claim that is made for Him everywhere: that it is in Him, and in Him alone, that we know God and are reconciled to God, and in Him alone, therefore, can we be saved” (252).

He holds all things in His hands

All power has been given to Christ (Matt. 28:18). In Rev. 5, there was nobody else able to open the seals except the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Ephesians 1:22-23 teaches that all things have been put under his feet (252).

Knowing the victory and power of Christ, we would do well to consider Christ and our relationship to him. If all things belong to him then it certainly has implications for how we live our lives.

He is the one who will judge the world

God has appointed a day in which Christ will judge the world (Acts 17:31). No matter who we are, where we are from, or what kind of life we live, every single person will one day stand before Christ on the throne and give an account. He will separate the sheep and the goats, one to everlasting life, the other to everlasting torment.

Knowing the coming judgment of the Lord can be a scary thought were it not for the good news of the gospel. The only hope anyone can have on that day is the forgiveness and righteousness made available by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. MLJ concludes, “Something must be done by God before man can be saved. We have the assurance in the covenant that it will be done and the covenant points to this person. He is at the center of the Bible. It asks us to consider Him…” (254).

Before our time on this earth passes, consider Jesus, the promised one who reconciles sinners to God, who holds all things in his hands and who will one day judge the world. Repent and believe the gospel!

Next time, we’ll discuss chapter 23 entitled “The Incarnation.”

Other posts in the “Great Doctrines of the Bible” series:

To listen to the audio blog, you can subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, or Podbean. Thank you for reading/listening and I pray it ministers to you!