Let’s share the message of God accurately (without legalism)
Church Growth – XIV
This is truly the Prophet who is to come
into the world. – John 6:14
Jesus Christ (the anointed One) was the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15; He was the fulfillment of that Messianic prophecy.
1 — Jesus came through the kingly line of David, and had a legitimate right to the title, “King of the Jews,” John 19:19.
2 — Jesus came as a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:24.
3 — Jesus came as a prophet. Deuteronomy 18:15-18, John 16:14.
The religious leaders were not ready for the true Messiah, the One who would save His people from their sins. Everything they had, (position, power, authority) was being threatened.
If Jesus was the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, that meant He was going to make atonement for the sins of His people. He was going to be a sacrifice for sin by giving His life on the cross of Calvary according to the prophecy in Isaiah 53. Jesus said in John 3:14-15, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
This was the fulfillment of Isaiah 52:7 and Nahum 1:15, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news.” What is the good news? It is the gospel of Jesus Christ; that He came to redeem his creation, to bring about the restoration of all things, including His glory which had been tarnished by the sin and wickedness of men and angels.
Are you beginning to see why the religious leaders hated Jesus so much? He had the power to turn their world upside-down. He was going to take away the sacrificial worship, all the money changers as well as others would lose their job in the temple. The role of the priest would be done away with. Jesus would become the prophet, priest, and king who would be the one mediator between God and men.
Jesus was also going to confront them for their legalism, which began before the Maccabees. He was going to oppose the rules, regulations, and burdens they imposed on others. As He did this, He was going to heap hot coals of condemnation on their heads because they were a stumbling block to others.
The gospel message is “good news” about how we can be free from sin and the legalistic commandments of men. Let’s share the message of God accurately (without legalism) as he directed us, lest we fall under the condemnation of the very God we claim to be serving.
Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
•••
Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children’s book.