#A MUST READ# [07:38, 07/07/2014] zolanimtimkhulu: LESSON 2 The Son Sabbath afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 24:30; Dan. 7:13, 14; Matt. 11:27; Luke 5:17–26; John 8:58; Matt. 20:28. Memory Text: “ ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many’ ” (Mark 10:45, NKJV). Af ter more than two years of public ministry, Jesus asked His disciples: “ ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ ” (Matt. 16:13, NKJV). It was not difficult for them to report what they had heard people saying about Jesus. More challenging, however, was Jesus’ next question: “ ‘But who do you say that I am?’ ” (vs. 15, NKJV). Now it became a personal issue. Jesus did not ask their opinions about His external appearance or about His character traits. His question, instead, went to the essence of Jesus’ very being. It required the disciples to express their individual conviction and faith. Sooner or later, everyone has to answer this same question. Each has to decide, individually, who Jesus is. It doesn’t help to repeat what other people say or believe; the answer must be genuinely our own personal belief. And, of course, on that answer the destiny of every human being hangs.This week we will seek the answer on the basis of what Jesus Himself said and did. Our aim will be to arrive, by faith, at the same response Peter gave: “ ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ ” (vs. 16, NKJV). * Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 12. [07:39, 07/07/2014] zolanimtimkhulu: SUNDAY The Son of Man This title, “the Son of man,” was Jesus’ favorite designation for Himself. He referred to Himself as Son of man more than eighty times. Other people never addressed Him that way. He, of course, selected this special designation for Himself with a purpose in mind.This idiomatic expression was common in the Old Testament. With just one exception, it always referred to a human; thus, Jesus used it in order to emphasize His humanity.Scripture presents Jesus as a true human being. He was born as a baby, grew up as a child (increasing in wisdom and in stature [Luke 2:40, 52]), and had sisters and brothers (Matt. 13:55, 56). He ate (Matt. 9:11), slept (Luke 8:23), was tired (John 4:6), and suffered hunger and thirst (Matt. 4:2, John 19:28). He also experienced sorrow and distress (Matt. 26:37). To the casual observer, Jesus seemed to be a common man who walked among the people as one of the multitude. Many of His con-temporaries did not recognize in Him anything more than a man (John 7:46). People treated Him as one of them; they laughed at Him (Luke 8:53), criticized Him (Matt. 11:19), even mocked and beat Him (Luke 22:63). To them, He was just another human being.Unfortunately, they failed to perceive that there is more to be found in this title. According to Daniel 7:13 and 14, “ ‘One like the Son of Man’ ” came with the clouds of heaven “ ‘to the Ancient of days,’ ” and received eternal dominion, glory, and a kingdom. The Jews identified this Son of man with the Messiah. So, when Jesus used this title, He was revealing, in a half-concealed way, that He was also the promised Messiah, the incarnate Christ. Read Matthew 24:30, 25:31, 26:64. What elements in Jesus’ words recorded in these verses are reminiscent of Daniel 7:13, 14? Why is it so important for us to know that Jesus was fully human? What implications does His full humanity have for our salvation? What implications does it have for our daily lives, especially in our battles with temptation and sin? [07:40, 07/07/2014] zolanimtimkhulu: MONDAY JULY 7 The Son of God The title “Son of God” was used not only by Gabriel (Luke 1:35) but also by several people when addressing Jesus (Matt. 14:33, Mark 15:39, John 1:49, 11:27). He accepted that title but was very care-ful not to apply it directly to Himself, lest He be stoned to death. Nevertheless, the Bible does reveal in different ways His special rela-tionship with the Father.The Father acknowledged Jesus as His Son at His baptism (Matt. 3:17); the same as at the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:5). Their Father-Son relationship is unique. Christ is the only Being in the universe who enjoys that kind of relationship, because only He is of the very same nature as the Father. As believers, we have been granted the privilege of becoming children of God. But Jesus always was, is, and will be the Son of God. What do the following texts reveal about the perfect unity of the Father and the Son? Matt. 11:27, John 3:35, 5:17, and 10:30. The complete unity of Jesus and the Father includes a mutual and perfect knowledge of Each Other: a unity of will, purpose, and objec-tives. Moreover, it includes a unity of nature. The Son and the Father are Two Persons (“ ‘I and the Father’ ”) but of the same nature (“ ‘are one’ ”), a fact emphasized by the neuter pronoun one (compare with 1 Cor. 3:8). We have to be aware, however, that because He came to live as a man, Christ while here voluntarily subordinated Himself to the Father (Phil. 2:6–8). This limitation was functional but not part of His essence. Jesus subordinated Himself for a specific purpose, a specific goal.With this concept in mind, we can understand why Jesus said: “ ‘The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do’ ” (John 5:19, NKJV); “ ‘because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me’ ” (vs. 30, NKJV). From this functional point of view, He could say: “ ‘My Father is greater than I’ ” (John 14:28, NKJV). Jesus was fully God and fully human. What does this amazing truth tell us about the close link between heaven and earth? What comfort can we draw from this close connection?
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 10:24:30 +0000
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