Lesson 12What is Christ Like? |
Before going any further, take a moment and match the names of God with their meanings. Write the letter of the meaning in the space preceding the correct name.
| 1.___ | Jehovah-M’Kaddesh | A. | Master or Owner | ||||||||
| 2.___ | El-Shaddai | B. | Eternal Healer | ||||||||
| 3.___ | Elohim | C. | My Banner | ||||||||
| 4.___ | Jehovah | D. | Will Provide | ||||||||
| 5.___ | Adonai | E. | Who Sanctifies | ||||||||
| 6.___ | Jehovah-Rophe | F. | Is There | ||||||||
| 7.___ | Jehovah-Shalom | G. | Our Righteousness | ||||||||
| 8.___ | Jehovah-Shammah | H. | Self-existent | ||||||||
| 9.___ | Jehovah-Rohi | I. | Is Peace | ||||||||
| 10.___ | Jehovah-Tsidkenu | J. | My Shepherd | ||||||||
| 11.___ | Jehovah-Jireh | K. | All-Sufficient | ||||||||
| 12.___ | Jehovah-Nissi | L. | Omnipotent |
We have been studying what Christ is like by studying the names and attributes of God. Through the limited number of names that we have studied and in accordance with the Bible, it is clear that Jesus Christ is God and reflected all the attributes of God. What did Jesus do so that these characteristics would manifest in His life? What was His focus in life when He walked this earth? In order to find these answers go to Luke 2:41-52. Even when Jesus was being talked about negatively, he stayed true and on track (Mark 6:1-6). In all that He did, Jesus did not seek His own glory, but the glory of the Father. While He took on the form of man, He did not behave as mankind often does. We want everybody to see what we are doing and we want to receive the glory. Jesus did not do this. In John 17:21-26, Jesus in prayer talks about His relationship with the Father and the relationship that believers are to have with God and with each other. This relationship is demonstrated by the disciples with God and each other. In fact, Paul makes it clear that it is not he who is producing new disciples, but He who is within him (1 Corinthians 15:10).
As we study how Christ reflected His Father and the disciples reflected Christ, are we checking ourselves in the mirror? Who do we reflect? Have we allowed God to be God in our lives? We often talk a good game about Jesus being our Savior and Lord. If someone really examined your like would it reflect God or self?
The scriptures show that even when things seemed to be falling in on Jesus, He still let God’s will work in His life. This is an area that some Christians have a hard time dealing with, because we want to fix things so that the results are right for us. How do we know what is “right for us?” What you thought you fixed may have cost somebody an opportunity to know God as Savior and Lord. Read Matthew 26:36-46.
Matthew 26:36-46
36. Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.37. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
Jesus was in great anguish about going to the cross. What would have happened if His will had taken control of the event? Instead He yielded to the Father’s will. The Father’s will became His will. Jesus had a second opportunity to show His will in Matthew 26:52-56.
Matthew 26:52-56
52. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54. But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
55. In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
56. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
You have now seen how Jesus manifested the characteristics of God in His life on earth. Are you allowing God’s characteristics to manifest in your life? If not, why not? Are you afraid of what God wants you to do? If this is your concern then maybe you need to answer this question. How would I feel if God chose not to be my Jehovah-Nissi, or Jehovah-Tsidkenu, or any of the names we learned in my life?
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