Hidden throughout the Scriptures are tantalising glimpses of the Saviour, acting like signposts until we stand and behold the full glory of the Father in the Person of His Son. Jesus Himself spoke of this when He walked with the disciples toward Emmaus, speaking of all things that concerned Him from Moses and through each of the prophets. These two disciples spoke later of how their hearts burned within them as Jesus spoke from the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:32).

Oh, that our hearts would also burn within us as we look into the eternal Word and see the face of Jesus Christ looking deep into our eyes from its pages.

Jesus, the Creator…

Right from the very first verses of Genesis we look into the mystery that is Christ. Genesis 1:1 speaks of a plurality in the Godhead when it introduces this indescribable Being as Elohim (a compound unity), creating the heavens and the earth with the breath of His mouth. John the Beloved later has a similar introduction to his gospel account, but with Jesus in clear view as the Prime Mover in this cosmic miracle of creation.

In the same chapter this unity in plurality is again intimated when the Lord says, “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26).

Jesus, the Perfect Man (who didn’t mess up)

Paul in His letter to the Romans speaks of Adam, the first man, as a type (a prefigure) of the One who was to come (Romans 5:14). Through the first Adam, as the representative head of mankind, came death through his disobedience. Through the second Adam, as our representative and substitute, came life and righteousness through His perfect obedience.

Jesus, the Seed of woman destined to crush the head of the enemy

Just as God wastes no time introducing His Son to us in creation, so we receive our first introduction to the story of redemption, and it’s chief protagonist, just a few short chapters into the Book of Genesis. In Genesis 3:15 the proto-evangelium brings to us a pithy summary of the great story soon to unfold over the following millennia – a man born as the seed of woman (an accurate if veiled description of a virgin birth), who will be bruised by the serpent, but ultimately crush that old devil underfoot. Again, John perfectly describes this mission when he points out that the purpose Christ came was the destroy the works of the evil one.

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

Now it is our turn to act as His hands to reach out to those who still need to know His love, and His feet to crush satan into the dust that he is forever cursed to eat.

“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Romans 16:20

Jesus, our Ark of Salvation…

Next we climb aboard a God ordained and designed ship of salvation, carrying the faithful from the old world to the new. Christ is now our ark, in and through whom we climb aboard our own saving ship, and pass through the waters of baptism to a new life and a new creation.

It is also worth noting that there came a day, an appointed time, where God Himself closed the door of the Ark (Genesis 7:16). So it will be in our day – a moment will come when the door of salvation will be shut and all that will remain is judgment for those who have chosen their own path. Don’t wait one more second before climbing aboard or it may be too late.

Jesus, the Seed of Abraham, through whom all the families of the earth will be blessed

Paul identifies the ‘seed’ spoken of in Genesis 12:3 and 22:18 as a proclamation of the gospel, foretelling long before the gals tidings of the Saviour long before that day of His revealing. Through Him all families, every tribe and tongue, can know the blessing of forgiveness and salvation through His blood.

Jesus, the Angel of the Lord – the Living One who sees…

In Genesis 16:7-14 we find Hagar fleeing the strained situation in her master Abraham’s home. She is met by what the Bible describes as the Angel of the Lord. But this is no ordinary angel. Referred to throughout the Old Testament as ‘the angel of the Lord’, “of God”, or “of His presence”, this Supernatural Being is identified with the Lord Himself (Genesis 16:11, 13; 22:11-12; 31:11-13), yet clearly distinct from the Father (Genesis 24:7; Exodus 23:20; Zechariah 1:12-13). He never appears in scripture again after the incarnation of Christ. Commentators are unanimous that this is indeed a pre-incarnate appearance of God the Son.

Jesus, one of Abraham’s mysterious visitors

In Genesis 18 Abraham is graced by three mysterious visitors. The Bible simply says that the Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, in the guise of three men. These men, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, no less, share promises and warnings with this chosen man and his giggling wife.

Jesus, the Beloved Son of Promise

We find many types (pre-figures) of God the Son in Scripture, but only one type of the father – Abraham. The father, in Genesis 22, is told to take his son of supernatural birth, and sacrifice him on the mountain of Moriah. Knowing God’s promises concerning Isaac, Abraham believed that God would raise him back to life again. Abraham’s prophetic prediction that God Himself would provide a Lamb (Genesis 22:8) was later fulfilled when another Father offered His Son for the sins of the world on the very same mountain. The perfect Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world, and raised again from the dead, overcoming sin, hell and the grave!

Jesus – the wrestling Blesser

In Genesis 32 we have the memorable account of Jacob wrestling with a mystery man until daybreak, demanding to be blessed. This man is identified as God Himself (Genesis 32:30). We certainly do not have to wrestle for God’s blessing any longer, but I think He still needs to wrestle some of the swindling nature out of us before He can bestow all He desires upon our lives!

Jesus – a Prince with God and with Men

Genesis Chapter 32 also refers to Israel, meaning prince with God, as one who prevails with God and with men (32:28). Our Prince too has prevailed, and prevails still with our hearts and minds.

Jesus – our misunderstood and mistreated deliverer

Joseph, whose story is related in Genesis chapters 37-50 is one of the fullest types of Christ we find anywhere in the Bible.

The following table outlines some of the similarities between the young dreamer of the early world, and the Dream Giver and Fulfiller Himself, Jesus Christ…

If we take an honest look we discover that Scripture confirms the divinity of the Son of God in many ways. These include: Divine attributes, divine names, divine works, divine worship, divine claims and divine relationship ascribed to Him.

The Bible itself leaves us in no doubt that the Man Christ Jesus was no other than Almighty God Himself – humbled to become flesh like you and I in order that He might save us through His own sacrifice.

Paul not surprisingly calls this a ‘mystery’:

1Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Indeed, how can one even begin to comprehend such a Truth. It must simply be accepted in a child-like manner, and enjoyed! The Creator and His Creation reconciled in the wonder of the incarnation.

The following scriptural evidences for Christ being fully God are offered:

• He pre-existence in eternity (outlined earlier in this session)
• He is called God Rom 9:5; Heb 1:8,10; 1 John 5:20; Tit 2:13
• He is God manifest in flesh John 20:28; 1 Tim 3:16; Col 2:9; Acts 20:28
• He is Creator and Sustainer Col 1;17; Eph 3:9; Rev 3:14 (AMP); 1Jn 1:3
• He has power in earth John 17:2
• He has power in heaven Matthew 28:18
• He has power over nature Matthew 8:23-27
• He has power over demons Luke 4:35-41
• He has power over angelic hosts 1 Peter 3:22; Eph 1:20-22
• He has power over all things Hebrews 1:3
• He is all-knowing John 16:30; 2:24-25; Col 2:3; Heb 4:12-13
• He is everywhere present Matt 18:20; 28:20; John 3;13; Eph 1:23
• He is immutable (unchanging) Heb 13:8; Psalm 102:26-32
• He is infallible, every word true John 12:44-50; 14:6
• He is Sovereign over all Phil 2:9-11; Isaiah 9:6; Rev 19:16
• He is perfectly holy Luke 4:34; Acts 4:27-30; 1 Pet 3:22
• He is perfectly righteous Jer 23:5-6; 1 Cor 1:30; Heb 1:9
• He is perfect love John 15:9-10; I John 3:16; 1 John 4:15-16
• He is perfectly faithful Rev 1;5

Divine names attributed to Him include:

• Everlasting Father – Isaiah 9:6
• Lord – Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:17; Luke 2:11
• Lord of hosts – Isa 44:6
• Lord Jesus Christ – 1 Cor 12:13; Rom 10:9
• Yahweh – Isaiah 12:2; Hosea 1:7
• Alpha and Omega – Rev 1:8; 22:13
• The First and Last – Isa 44:6; Rev 1:17-18
• The Eternal Word – John 1:1,14; Rev 19:13
• I AM – John 8:56-58
• The Son of God – Matt 16:16; 17:5; Lk 1:35
• The Holy One of God – Mark 1:24
• The Way, Truth and the Life – John 14:6

Divine works attributed to Him include:

• Creator of the Universe – Heb 1:3; Col 1:16
• Upholds and maintains universe – Col 1:17
• Forgave sins – Acts 5:31; Matt 9:6; Col 3:13
• He raised the dead – Jn 5:28-29; Phil 3:21
• He will Judge the world – Acts 17:31
• He gives eternal life – John 17;2
• He will regenerate the universe – Rev 21:5
• Divine worship was given to Him Heb 1:6; Mat 8:2; 15:25; Rev 5:13; Jn 5:23
• He claimed divinity Jn 10:30,38; 8:56-58; 18:1-5; Mk 3:33-34
• Divine relationship attributed to Him Matt 28:18-20; 2 Cor 13:14; Jn 14:1

We unashamedly proclaim with Thomas from the testimony of Scripture:

“And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”” (John 20:28 NKJV)

“Two men?” you say, how can that be?

In this short but thought provoking post I will explain what I mean. Stay with me for a few eye-opening paragraphs and consider which man you are associated with?

The First and the Second Man

Paul describes two men in 1 Corinthians 15 (open your Bible to this chapter if you have one handy and refer to the Scriptures as we look at what he said), and associates all others with either the first or the second.

The first man, he says, is a man of the earth – Adam. (1 Corinthians 15:47). In this man, the man of flesh, all died (v22). In Adam, we fell, still in his loins, and generations were lost to a life bound to the sinful nature.

Thank God the story does not end there, a Second man, again in the image of God, arrived on the scene. Only this Man came with a solution.

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

(1Corinthians 15:22 KJV)

The first man was made a living soul, but the second was the Lord from Heaven, a life giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45-49).

We were born of the first, our natural heritage, and carried his image both inwardly and outwardly (1 Cor 15:49), but through a new birth we strip off the old and put on a new creation (1 Cor 5:17). We “put on Christ” (Gal 3:27) and bear His image, born again, not of natural birth, but by the Spirit (John 3:3-7).

Which man are you associated with, the man of the flesh or the Man of the Spirit?

Performance or Promise

The next two men we will compare are contrasted in Galatians chapter 4:21-31.

The first of these man was born of a slave, and thus born into slavery. He is compared to those born under the law of performance. Those who a slaves to a set of religious rules which must be observed to maintain their place in the Master’s house.

The second on the other hand is a child of Promise – the heir of the entire household. Not a servant, but a Son. His place is not based on performance but on Promise. He does not earn His place at the Father’s side, it is His by direct association. You too, if you are born again, are a Son or Daughter of the Father.

We are asked by Paul, “Do you want to be under the law?” (Gal 4:21)

Do you want to remain a son of the bond woman or become a Son of the Free?

Son of the father

The final two men we will compare were two specific men, not symbolic – real flesh and blood men who stand before all of humanity awaiting their judgement.

It was these men who first got me thinking about this idea, and they stand starkly before humanity.

The story of their trial is found in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 18. It was an historical event, yet as I say, in a sense they still stand judgement today.

One was the innocent Jesus, the Son of the Father.

The other was a notorious criminal. His name was Bar-Abbas. Ironically his name means “Son of the father”.

So here we have two men, both the “son of a father”. The difference between the two was the nature of their father. One was the Son of the heavenly Father, and displayed the nature and character of His Father (John 14:9). The other, a thief, a murderer and a liar, also displayed the image of his father (John 8:44).

Whom will you choose to associate with today?

In Christ

So there we have it – Two men, but one decision.

Are we going to follow the man of earth, driven to earn his place in the house – slavishly performing the will of his murderous daddy?

Or are you born into the Second man, the man of the Spirit, a true born son or daughter of the household of God, not by works but by grace and promise – a brother or sister to the Son of the Father?