“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3)

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Part 2 of our series on “Faith in Christ Jesus: Insights for Today’s Generation” covering the scriptures of Matthew 11:1-6 and 2 Samuel 7:1-16. Couple of weeks ago, we began discussing “Understanding Faith in Christ Jesus.” Given the depth of this topic, we split Part 1 into two posts (Part 1.0 and Part 1.1). In Part 1, we covered:

The Joshua Generation: Emphasizes sincere worship and understanding of God, highlighting the qualities of the Joshua Generation.

Faith in Christ Jesus: Discusses steadfast faith in Jesus, referencing Matthew 11:6 and Jesus’ response to John the Baptist.

Davidic Covenant: Explores 2 Samuel 7:1-16, where God promises to establish a lasting dynasty for David, foreshadowing Jesus Christ.

Significance: Highlights the unconditional nature of the Davidic Covenant and its role in God’s redemptive plan through David’s lineage.

In Part 2, we will explore in detail who Jesus is. We will also discuss what it means to have faith in Him. Today, we’ll look at Matthew 11:1-6 and 2 Samuel 7:1-16.

In Matthew 11:1-6, we see John the Baptist questioning if Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus responds by highlighting the miracles he has performed, such as healing the blind and raising the dead. These acts are proof of his divine mission.

2 Samuel 7:11-16 speaks of God’s promise to establish a lasting kingdom through David’s lineage, a prophecy pointing to Jesus.

Our Understanding of Jesus

Our struggle to comprehend God often stems from our own recklessness. The confusion in the world arises from our inability to fully grasp God and His process.

Who is Jesus?

• Jesus is God’s promise to David.
• Jesus holds the key to the house of David.
• Jesus is the Shiloh mentioned in Genesis 49:10

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Jesus speaks to the entire world through His Word, reaching out to us in His unique way. However, the challenge lies in our understanding of who He truly is. Do we understand Jesus for who He is, or do we misunderstand Him because of what He represents? This is the core issue facing the world today.

Who is Jesus to You?

This is the question on everyone’s mind: Who is Jesus, and what is His role in our lives? We find ourselves questioning His nature and purpose. Why should we believe in Him? Why must we have faith in Him? These are the questions that trouble us. Yet, the principle remains that God is within us and among us.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17) 

This passage highlights Jesus’ divine nature and His role in creation.  

Jesus as Immanuel, God with us 

Jesus shares His love with us, and it grows within us. This embodies the principle of God and Man—God dwelling in and among us—this is Jesus in the making. In a broader sense, this phrase “this is Jesus in the making” shows how God transforms the lives of believers. Just as Jesus was shaped and prepared for His mission, believers are continually being moulded. They are refined to become more like Christ.  

The principle behind Jesus’ purpose is to share God’s gifts with us. He acts as the mediator between God and Man. He brings us to fruition. Generally, “bringing something to fruition” means to successfully finish or achieve something, making it come into being or reality. When applied to a person, it implies helping someone achieve their full potential. It also mean guiding them to accomplish their goals and dreams. Essentially, it’s about supporting someone in realizing their aspirations and becoming successful.  

Jesus conveys God’s will, and through Him, God delivers us. We can’t judge God’s goodness without fully surrendering to Him in worship. It is only through worship that God’s mercy saves us from hell. Without worship, we distance ourselves from His merciful hands. 

Understanding Jesus is crucial in our relationship with God. He masters us into the secrets of the kingdom of God and teaches us His ways. The word “masters” here implies a deep level of skill. It also implies the ability to impart that knowledge to others. This helps them to grasp complex or hidden aspects of spiritual teachings.  

Jesus is the path we must tread on. This is a metaphorical expression. It means that following Jesus’ teachings and example is the way to live a righteous and fulfilling life. This idea is rooted in several biblical passages. John 14:6 features Jesus saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Matthew 7:13-14 speaks about the narrow path that leads to life.  

In essence, it suggests that living according to Jesus’ principles means embracing love, compassion, humility, and faith. These principles guide believers towards spiritual fulfillment and eternal life. It’s about walking in His footsteps and embodying His values in daily life.  

It’s essential to truly understand Him. Do Jesus’ followers fully understand Him? Many still do not. In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked His disciples, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Recognizing Jesus as “the Messiah” is key to entering the kingdom of God. To achieve this, we must grasp who He is and what He represents.  

Understanding His message with our hearts (John 18:36) means having a heart of submission to His Word. We achieve this by understanding the Gospel of Jesus. 

The Zoë Life 

Do we understand God creating us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10)? 

Understanding the eternal life Jesus brings

Understanding God’s creation of us in Christ Jesus is profound. At creation, God breathed life into man, transforming him into a living being. Christ is the spirit behind creation. This divine breath is what makes us truly alive, beyond mere existence. Without it, we are just shadows of ourselves, spiritually dead. Who is man that God is so mindful of? (Psalm 8:4-8)  

This question reflects a sense of wonder and humility. The psalmist, David asks why God, who created the vast universe, cares so deeply about humans. Despite our smallness in the grand scheme of creation, God values us immensely. He has given us a special place. We are made just a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5). God has entrusted us with the care of His creation. This shows God’s incredible love and the honour He bestows upon humanity.  

The concept of zoë—eternal life—emphasizes this divine life that Jesus imparts. Zoë represents a life filled with God’s presence, transcending mere biological existence. It is an everlasting gift, connecting believers to God’s divine nature and offering a life devoted to Him.  

To truly understand God, we must understand Jesus, who embodies the zoë life. His purpose was to bring this divine life to us, establishing the Kingdom of God through His presence and teachings. 

God’s Breath of Life in Us  

God’s breath of life grants us the zoë life. The Greek word zoë means “life” or “living” (John 1:4). In the Bible, zoë has several meanings. These include eternal life and the God-kind of life. It is life that originates directly from God and also represents spiritual life. The New Testament, originally written in Greek, uses zoë to distinguish this divine life from mere biological existence. It is an everlasting gift from God, promising believers a life that transcends earthly existence. Zoë represents a God-infused life, offering believers spiritual vitality and a connection to God’s divine nature. 

We need the breath of life—the Spirit of God. This breath of life was brought to us by Jesus when He lived among us. To understand God, we must first understand Creation. To understand Creation, we must understand our identity in the eyes of God—Mankind.   

How did God create us? In the act of creation, there was man and God, along with God’s Word and His Spirit—the breath of life. God created mankind in His image and likeness, elevating us to a level where His Majesty resides within us. Though we are human, our spirit is of God. He breathed His Spirit into us. He made us visible in His sight as His children, with His Majesty dwelling within us.  

We are seen by God as His children, filled with His love. We are creatures of His Word (spoken) and His Spirit (the breath of life). God created us in His own image to respond to Him alone. In Him is life. In Him is the Word of God, our heritage. God created man to be His worshipper. 

To truly understand God, we must first understand Jesus, as He embodies the “zoë ” life of God. This eternal life comes to us through His presence and continual companionship (John 10:10; John 1:4; John 3:15-16; Romans 6:23; John 14:6). Jesus was born with the purpose of transforming our lives.  

The birth of Jesus also addressed a significant question for the Israelites. They asked, “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). However, His mission extended far beyond earthly concerns. Jesus came to impart the zoë life of God to us. He offered the breath of eternal life. Through this divine life, he established the Kingdom of God.  

Understanding “zoë ” invites us to embrace the abundant life that faith in Christ Jesus offers. 

As God’s presence comes to us in our divine place, He manifests as Jesus Christ among us. He will dwell with us until the end. Jesus Christ is not a strange entity, but God with us. He is Immanuel, God’s presence among us. Jesus is the legitimate Son of God.  

No one was born outside creation except Him. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is the one to come in relation to David. He is from the house of David. He is the one to fulfill David’s place. Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God.  

He came from the Father and will return to the Father. Christ was born in a manger, and on the day of His birth, angels visited Him. In their presence, He revealed who He is: love.  

Jesus is the Son of God, and in Him is redemption—the life we need. Redemption is a strong word; it involves redeeming us and presenting us to God. Jesus redeemed us and focused on presenting us to God. He redeemed humanity and is dedicated to presenting us to God.  

Shiloh and Biblical Prophecies 

Jesus is the key of the house of David. In the Bible, Isaiah 22:22 and Revelation 3:7 both refer to Jesus as the key of the house of David.  

Jesus Christ is the Shiloh of Genesis 49:10. “The scepter or leadership shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet. This will continue until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes to whom it belongs. To Him shall be the obedience of the people.” 

Shiloh is a significant term in biblical prophecy. It symbolizes the coming of the Messiah. The Messiah brings peace and fulfills God’s promises. For Christians, Jesus Christ embodies Shiloh. He fulfills the ancient prophecies and establishes a new covenant between God and humanity.    

The concept of Shiloh is echoed in other parts of the Bible besides Genesis 49:10. It reinforces the idea of a divinely appointed leader. This leader will bring about God’s kingdom on earth. Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of a child born to us. This child will be called the Prince of Peace. Revelation 5:5 refers to Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.    

Key Points: 

• Jesus Christ as Immanuel: Jesus is described as God with us. He is the legitimate Son of God. He embodies the presence of God among us. 

• Jesus’ Divine Role: He is the King of Kings. He is the Lord of Lords. He is the key of the house of David. He fulfills prophecies from Isaiah and Revelation. 

• Redemption through Jesus: Jesus’ purpose is to redeem humanity. He presents us to God and emphasizes His role in our spiritual salvation. 

• Zoë Life: Jesus brings the zoë life of God. This life is the essence of eternal life. It aims to set up the Kingdom of God through this divine life.

Call-to-Action 

Join the Journey of Faith! 

If you found this article meaningful, I invite you to delve deeper into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Join our community in exploring the profound impact of His presence in our lives. 

I’ll share with you in the next post “Living in Faith: Embracing Christ Jesus in Today’s Generation.” Join us next week for a deeper exploration into the essence of faith. We will explore how we can articulate the presence of Jesus in our daily lives. Don’t miss out on these insightful discussions! 

Subscribe to our blog for more insights. Join a community that seeks to understand and live out faith in Christ Jesus. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. 

Let’s journey together in understanding and living our faith in Christ Jesus! 🙏 

Written by Eunice Forson 

Stay tuned for post #3 in our series next Monday. 

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In case you missed any of the previous posts in this series… 

During our Faith in Christ Jesus: Insights for Today’s Generation blog series over the past 3 weeks, we’ve covered… 

Introduction to Series: “Faith in Christ Jesus: Insights for Today’s Generation.”

Part 1.0: “Understanding Faith in Christ Jesus.”

Part 1.1: “Bridge Between Testament: Understanding Christ.”