THIS MAN CHRIST
Pastor J. C. O'Hair
The blind, ignorant rulers of Christ’s day knew Him not. (I Corinthians 2:6 to 8). They thought they knew Him for they said, “Howbeit we know this Man whence He is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence He is.” John 7:27.
Some spies and detectives went out to apprehend Jesus that the rulers might put Him to death. But some of them, if not all, came back with a verdict in His favor. Christ had fed 5000 hungry people with less than a pound of food, and had performed so many miracles that even His enemies believed on Him. “And many of the people believed on Him, and said, When Christ cometh, will He do more miracles than these which THIS MAN hath done? (John 7:31).
And note what they said in John 7:46: “The officers answered, Never man spake like THIS MAN.”
The title of Christ “THIS MAN” used in the King James edition of the Bible had a twofold significance. It was used in derision by some and by others who were perplexed.
In John’s Gospel we learn that Christ claimed and proved unity and equality with the Almighty God, saying, “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father”; “I had glory with the Father before the world was”; “I came down from heaven”; “I am the resurrection and the life, the one and only way to God”; “I have power to lay down My life and to take it up again”; “I am the door of salvation”; “before Abraham was I AM”; “if ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 14:9 - John 17:5 - John 6:37 and 38 - John 11:25 - John 10:17 to 19 - John 9:5 - John 10:9 - John 8:58 and John 8:24). Christ used the first person pronoun in speaking of Himself about 680 times in the Gospel of John.
Surely never man spake like THIS MAN. Can you image any other rational man saying, “I came down from heaven that a man may eat of Me and never die?”
No man can prove He is Christ by doing greater miracles than this Man did. “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!” (Matthew 8:27). He was approved of God by miracles, wonders and signs. (Acts 2:22 - John 5:36).
Was Christ “posse non pecaris” or “non posse pecaris?” Was He able not to sin or not able to sin? “THIS MAN hath done nothing amiss.” (Luke 23:41). Christ made no confession of sin to man or God. He was tested in all points like as we, yet without sin in word, thought and deed. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He knew no sin, but on the cross He was made sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (II Corinthians 5:21).
Now note Hebrews 10:12 - Acts 13:38 and Luke 15:2 - “But THIS MAN, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through THIS MAN is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.” “And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, THIS MAN receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”
We are not serving a dead Christ but a living glorified Man Who is far above all heavens. However we are saved from God’s eternal wrath by His once-for-all sacrifice. (Ephesians 4:9 to 11 - I Peter 3:18 and I Thessalonians 1:10). “Reconciled to God by the death of His Son.” (Romans 5:10).
Glorious blessed truth told by those selfrighteous religious enemies of Christ “THIS MAN receiveth sinners.”
As many as received Him were given the right to become the children of God. (John 1:11 and 12).
This same Jesus is coming again as He went away. Then He will receive His own unto Himself. (Acts 1:9 to 11 - John 14:1 to 4). As He was once offered to bear the sins of many, so unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28).
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
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