Timothy J. Clarke - The Story of Jesus: The Being of Jesus

Watch this: I’m convinced we need to rescue Jesus because He’s being held hostage. Last week, I talked about the beginning of Jesus. Now, let me remind you that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. I reminded you that in discussing the beginning of Jesus, we are not in any way assuming, stating, or asserting that the beginning of time was the beginning of Jesus. No, Jesus was in the beginning, but He was in the beginning before the beginning began. From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. We looked at the beginning of Jesus this morning, and for the next 16 or 17 minutes, I want to discuss what I’m calling the being of Jesus. Everybody say, «The being of Jesus.» Now, that word, «being,» Deacon Sylvia, I take from the definition in the common dictionary, which is the fact of existing—substance or nature. To be, or not to be, that is the question. The being of a thing is the fact of that thing existing, and existing in its substance or nature. So, are you all still there? Somebody asked when this became a lecture.

Being, then, is the fact that a person exists. It’s the fact that the person exists, but it’s also how that person exists. In looking at the being of Jesus, there are three manifestations that confront us, but I think also inform us, as John talks about it in the text, and Paul discusses it in Philippians 2. So, are you all ready to dive into it with me? Okay, that was 17 folks. Let’s try again: Are you all ready to dive into it with me? Okay, here’s the first point: The being of Jesus. Here it is, deacons: In essence, Jesus is God. Now, both John and Paul show us this in clear and compelling ways. John says, «In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.» Paul says in Philippians 2, speaking about Jesus, that He, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to hold on to.

In essence, stay with me: Jesus is God. Okay, I’ll try one more time: In essence, everyone say, «In essence.» The word essence means basic, real, or invariable nature. Essence is the core of me, the very center of me. It is the basic, real, invariable part—the part of me that never changes. My essence has to do with the core essential, vital part of a person or a thing. So, at His core, beloved, in His essence, in His being, Jesus is God. I love that hymn of the season; I quote it more often than you’d like to hear: «Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; hail the incarnate deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.» That’s it right there!

Jesus, in essence, in His being, is God. I want this to sink in. Online, Erica, Sister Maureen, Sabrina, I want you to get it. Listen, Jesus is God in His essence. At His core, that is invariable. You know that «variable» means «changing»; «invariable» means it doesn’t change. In His invariable essence, Jesus is God.

Now, there are three aspects to consider with me. First, the mystery of it: This is the mystery of it. God became man. The divine became human. The Creator became the created. Here’s the best part: The Savior became sin. What a mystery! I wish I had a half a church; I’d pray: What a mystery! Kevin, it makes no sense! It makes no sense that God—infinitely mighty, majestic, full of splendor, glory, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent—became man. It’s a mystery! It’s not just the mystery of it; there’s the might of it. That word «might» means superior power or strength. It’s the power or ability to do or to accomplish. Here’s what I mean by that: Only as God could Jesus save us. Only God could redeem us. Only God could forgive us. Only God could reconcile us.

You all aren’t getting this! Because of who He is, He was able to do what He did and what, by God, thank You, He still does! That old song says: «He is just the same today.» He is just the same! Yes, He healed in Galilee, set the suffering captives free, and He’s just the same today. Only by His power is He able to do what He did and still does, which is to save those who come to Him and call on Him.

But it’s not just the mystery of it; it’s not just the might of it, beloved. There’s the majesty of it—majesty being supreme greatness or authority. Think about what the Incarnation means and what it accomplished. If you ever think about it, the Incarnation is majestic—supremely great, wondrous, and wonderful. That He could love us so much, care about us so much! There’s the mystery of it, the might of it, but there’s also the majesty and splendor of it. It is splendiferous that He would do that!

Well, not only in essence is Jesus God, but watch this: In essence, Jesus is God, but in expression, Jesus is man. Somebody said, «What in the world did he just say?» In essence, Jesus is God, but in expression, Jesus is man. That’s what Paul and John argued: John 1:14, «The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.» Philippians 2:8 says that being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself.