Jesus said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God. I am come in My Father's name and ye receive Me not. If another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." (John 5:39-40)
Repeatedly, Jesus told the multitudes that followed Him that He was the Bread of Life. (John 6:35, 48, 51) That He -- Jesus -- was the Light of this world. The Living Water wherein when we taste, we will never thirst again. Throughout the good news gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus proclaimed His love for His beloved, healing the sick, restoring the broken hearted and casting out the demons responsible for tormenting those individuals who were most vulnerable.
Jesus said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, for I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51)
The Good Shepherd knew beforehand that He would have to lay down His life for His sheep. (Acts 20:28) That God Himself would have to become our Saviour, our Redeemer, who would save us from our sins.
This then is the mystery that was in the bosom of the Father since the very beginning. The mystery of godliness-- wherein at the appointed time, God would be manifest in the flesh, and dwell among us. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 42:13).
He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
There had to be an appointed time.
"The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ... which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience." (Hebrews 9:8-9)
Yes, for the redemption of our sins, we would need Jesus, for He alone shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)
Even though in God's mind, the Son of God existed countless ages before He was ever born of Mary, the Son would only be revealed when the Holy Ghost said, "This day have I begotten Thee." (Psalm 2:7)
But he religious wanted a King and were unwilling to settle for a babe born in a manger. Nevertheless, when the Jews murmured aloud, Jesus reminded them that the work of God was to believe on Him whom He hath sent. (John 6:29) Moreover, Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that they had seen Him, - the prophesied Saviour, their salvation coming nigh to them, and yet believed not. (John 6:36)
Throughout the scriptures, we are blessed to see "those things which be not, as though they were." (Romans 4:17) The Lamb who was lain from the foundation of the world. Grace before the world began. (Ephesians 1:4-5; I Timothy 1:9)
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things ... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you." (I Peter 1:18-20)
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. (Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:9)
In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son -- the visible image of the invisible God-- who created all things by Jesus Christ, by whom also He made the worlds. (Hebrews 1:2; John 17:5; Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 3:9)
God clothed Himself in flesh (and yet without sin) so that you and I might have abundant life in Him. Stand in the offering plate.
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