An Address to Young People: "Lord Jesus Christ"
Table of Contents
An Address to the Young People: Part 2
“Lord Jesus Christ”
Let us now turn to the 2nd of Acts 36th verse and endeavor to advance a stage in our consideration of this subject,-
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
There we get two other names in a new setting. Here is Peter speaking after the rejection of Christ, after His ascension into glory, declaring that God has made Him both Lord and Christ.
“You say, "Was He not that before?”
Yes; I suppose He was. The woman at Sychar's well thought He was at least; she thought He was Christ because she said so; and no other was Lord by right and title, for He was Jehovah; He was Jehovah our Savior.
But this is something new. It marks a new step in the consideration of our subject and in God's dealings with His beloved Son. What does it mean, "that God hath made Him," the rejected One," Lord and Christ?
Does it not mean, That to this Man, the lowly Jesus, rejected by earth and cast out as though not fit to be here, heaven opens wide its portals and straightway puts upon Him every mark of divine approval?
Does it not mean that as Man, the title refused Him on earth, is bestowed upon Him there? If earth would not own what He was, would not have Him as Lord, nor own Him as Christ, heaven will so own Him, and God bestows upon Him as Man these dignities afresh.
What a moment! and what a scene is presented to our hearts as we gaze there!
Did earth not give Him the place that was His due? No; then God will. Earth cast Him out as not fit to be here, but heaven receives Him, and as Man-as the rejected Man once, but as the glorified Man now-He receives the stamp, as it were, of divine approval, and as Man is made both Lord and Christ. This is exceedingly blessed.
What does Christ mean? It means the "Anointed One." Christ is the Greek equivalent for Messiah. Messiah is Hebrew and likewise means "Anointed One.”
When the Lord Jesus came into this world, He was prepared to offer Himself to Israel as their Messiah-as the One anointed for blessing to them. Therefore, we frequently read in the gospels about Him as "the Christ.”
For instance, take the one we have referred to -the woman at the well: She 'goes into the city, and says to the men, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”
I am under the impression that the term "the Christ" is usually official, and in a Jewish setting. It is the Lord presenting Himself to Israel as the Christ, and that term is used largely in the gospels, and occasionally thereafter too.
We notice, however, that after the event spoken of in the 2nd of Acts, after the Lord ascended, after He is made both Lord and Christ, in the Epistles quite frequently the prefix is dropped, and Christ becomes more a personal name. The thought is I believe, that God is not now pressing the Jewish claims of His beloved Son. For the moment, they are in the back ground. His beloved Son is anointed now for a wider sphere of blessing than a Jewish one, and He has entered upon dignities and relationships now, such as were not His before His resurrection and ascension into that glory.
Beloved saints of God, our blessings, and our position before God, are connected with Christ, the Anointed One,-anointed and appointed for blessing not now particularly to Israel, not now so limited, but as embracing the whole sphere of the redeemed. He takes the place now as head of the new creation. Men now are either in Christ or in Adam. It becomes a question of the two headships.
We might turn on and observe how Scripture puts us in connection with Christ as to our position before God.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Eph. 1:3.
There we get it, do we not? We shall find as we survey the subject further, that all our privileges and blessings as a redeemed company, are connected with "Christ,"-Christ the exalted and glorified Man! It is with that exalted and glorified Man we are connected. What a blessed and immutable connection is this! Observe in the 2nd chapter of Ephesians, 4, 5, 6, "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith He loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
One remarks again that our position is connected with Christ. In these Scriptures we get the correct usage of the phrase spoken of earlier. We are not positionally in Jesus, but "in Christ.”
Look at the 15th of 1 Corinthians: 20, 21 and 22:
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
You are either in Adam or in Christ; under one headship or the other. Which is it with you this afternoon, dear friends? Are you Christ's? If you are, there is no difficulty as to the headship you are under. If not, you are included under the malign headship of Adam. Thank God for the transcendent grace that has linked us with Christ.
Look at Gal. 2:20:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Never in Scripture are we associated with that blessed One short of His death, resurrection and ascension.
There are many Scriptures we could look at in connection with this line of things.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Rom. 8:1.
Our position is that of being in Christ. Our blessings and privileges flow from our connection with Christ as the risen exalted One. While our privileges and blessings are connected with our being in Christ, our responsibilities are connected with Him under the third title-as Lord. So these three things are attached to the blessed One we are considering.
"Jesus tells us of His pathway of shame and woe down here.
Christ tells us of His present exaltation and glory at the right hand of God.
Lord tells us of His authority. All power is His.
(Continued from page 48)
To be continued
An Address to the Young People: Part 4
“Lord Jesus Christ”
Perhaps we could turn to a few Scriptures, and endeavor, as simply as we are able, to notice the significance of the names employed.
“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:1, 2.
Observe here the names of that blessed One are given to us in three forms,-three combinations of names here. Paul and Timotheus speak of themselves as servants of Jesus Christ. They address all the saints in Christ Jesus-they reverse the words,-and in the second verse they speak of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why these variations? Is that just done to give a flourish to the pen? People do that sometimes. Is that the reason for it here? No; Paul and Timotheus present themselves as servants of the One who was Himself a servant below, but who is now exalted. They address all the saints in the now exalted One, who once was the lowly One down here. What do they desire for these? That grace and peace be issued to them from the Lord; that is, that Jesus Christ as Lord, would issue to them the grace and peace needed. His authority is now in view.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5.
Here it is a question of the Lord's being set before us on a descending scale. The One who in Himself was the high and lofty One,-that One came down and became Jesus, and trod a pathway of shame and woe. In verses 6-8, there is a wonderful summary of that life.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Verse 9).
His Lordship will be recognized and exercised over all His wide dominion soon. Thank God for the measure in which our hearts own His Lordship now.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others, which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep through Jesus will God bring with Him." 1 Thess. 4:13, 14.
I submit that this is very tender. Divine wisdom abounds here. God sets Jesus before us now. Who are those addressed? Bereaved ones on earth. What is the character in which that blessed One is presented? Is His supreme authority and glory emphasized? No; the Spirit of God sets Him before us in the character of the One who Himself went through death; the One who was down here in the very scene you and I are going through, and who has gone through trials, sorrows and difficulties such as we have never known. Thus Jesus is brought before us here. Jesus died, and those who die, sleep through Jesus.
“For this we say unto you, by the word of the Lord." (Verse 15).
Not by the "word of Jesus," or by the "word of Christ." This is authority. God would have us know it. This comes by supreme authority.
It is a question now of power-of resurrection-a power that will awaken the dead. A question of divine power.
“For the Lord Himself"-not Jesus-not Christ "shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”
Not "the dead in Jesus." The dead are in Christ here. That is, their privileges and the blessedness of their standing as being in Him who is the exalted and glorified One, is that which is in question here.
“The dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord,"-with the One whose power, whose authority, we shall forever own, and the One whose power and authority earth shall likewise own!
Thank God for the grace that has linked us with Him now, and has given us to know something of the fellowship of His sufferings, and if in any way we can say it, has "made us comformable unto His death." Presently we shall be gathered where He is, to be with and like Him forever. May the Lord give us to live and walk in the power and sense of this truth.
"Soon Thou wilt come again,
Jesus, our Lord!
We shall be happy then,
Jesus, our Lord!
Then we Thy face shall see,
Then we shall like Thee be,
Then evermore with Thee,
Jesus, our Lord!”
(Continued from page 107)
Concluded.
An Address to the Young People: Part 3
“Lord Jesus Christ"
Now a few thoughts as to the last name. We have in the following, conclusive evidence as to its significance:
“And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46.
If we call Him Lord, we must do what He says. That is, it’s a question of obedience. Authority is connected with Him as Lord.
Just to corroborate the thought before us, look at 1 Cor. 4:4, 5.
“For I know nothing by myself: yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord." Not 'Jesus'; not 'Christ' here, but the Lord. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
It is a question of authority-a question of power-of His being the exalted One unto whom all judgment has been committed. Power and authority have to do with His Lordship.
Dear Christian friend, do you know anything about what it is to own Him as Lord. A great many own Him as Savior. They speak of Him as Jesus, but they do not know much about what it is to own Him as Lord-to bow to His authority.
Let us look at a few practical applications of this term:
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Col. 3:17.
Then see how the Lordship of Christ comes in into the most intimate details of our life.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Dear Christian friends, do you know anything of the Lordship of Christ? It is in Scripture. Does it have a place in your heart and ways? Again we read in this same chapter:
“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
That is, you serve the One who now has every right and authority over you,-the exalted and blessed One.
The Lordship of Christ has to say to us in some other connection too: Suppose we turn to 1 Cor. 11:20:
“When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.”
Not the supper of Jesus-not Christ's-but "the Lord's;" the One whose authority is supreme.
“For I have received of the Lord." The bestowing of the ordinance is connected with the name of authority and power,-the One supreme now,-the One who is made Lord and Christ-that One, "the same night in which He was betrayed took (bread, and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take eat. This is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Who says this? The Lord-the Lord Jesus. Does that name have weight with you, dear Christian friend? Do you so remember Him? If you do not, you will have to give account to Him some day. This is authoritative; it is not to be disregarded, and ours should be the place of rendering glad obedience to the Lord. How blessed to know Him thus as the glorified Man in whom power and authority have been vested by God!
In the same chapter we read of the Lord's death.
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.”
This is a solemn line of things. It presses upon us the authority of this blessed One we profess to know and serve-the Lordship of Christ. We cannot leave that out.
Look at 1 Cor. 12:3, and observe the negative side of things there,
“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
That is, no man can give to Him the place of Lordship except it be by the Holy Ghost. Only a Christian can do this, for only a Christian is indwelt by the Holy Ghost. It is well for us in this day, very much akin to the days of the Judges, when every man is disposed to do that which is right in his own eyes, to be reminded again of the Lordship of Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ!
To sum up what we are considering, may I suggest the thought is this: The "Lord Jesus Christ" sets before us the One exalted now, to whom all power is committed, the One whose authority we own. It reminds us that He was once down here, the Man who trod earth's pathway of shame and woe, even unto death,-the death of the cross!-but who now, in glory, is the source of all blessing to us, and the One to whom we are united.
What a wide scope of things is brought thus before our hearts! The future is anticipated-redeemed creation will own His Lordship. The past is included. Our present blessings are brought before us, and our standing before God. These thoughts are connected with the name Lord Jesus Christ.
(Continued from Page 75.)
To be continued.
An Address to the Young People: Part 1
“Lord Jesus Christ”
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Rev. 22:21.
I have a few thoughts before me as to the name we have just read: Lord-Jesus-Christ.
What is the value of this name? Why the three terms found in it? We do not always greet one another in such fashion. We call each other by one name. Here are three, and we are aware of the fact that frequently, in the epistles, we find these three joined together: "Lord Jesus Christ.”
I suppose the thought is common to us all that in the things of God, there is always a deeper value than at first appears on the surface. That is the character of all that is divine, isn't it? Whatever is of God will bear close inspection, no matter how simple it may be; no matter if it is only a blade of grass. If we magnify it fifty diameters, there is a perfection and skill we do not at first find to be there. Extend the process; use a microscope with a capacity of five hundred diameters, what then? New wonders appear. This is the character of all that is divine. It is not characteristic of what is human. Most skillful things have been done by the ingenuity of men. I have read about the Lord's prayer being inscribed upon a pin head. If that has been done, it is a marvelous thing. Take a microscope and investigate it; magnify it fifty times. "O," you say, "that isn't anything like I thought it was. Look here! I can see a lot of blemishes in it now!" If you extend the process five hundred diameters, you find you are looking at a thing quite crude. What man does, will not bear close investigation.
With that thought before us, I would like to inquire into these three names, beginning with the name "Jesus.”
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." Matt. 1:21.
Here is His first name-what we sometimes call His personal name. What does it mean? The context suggests its meaning: it is Savior;-but not that alone, for I believe in Greek another word could be so rendered. It is "Jehovah our Savior." That is, there is a breathing in this name of that which is divine. Jesus! Blessed name! Holy name!-name dear, I trust, to all our hearts here this afternoon.
Some thoughts as to this name: It is employed I believe six hundred and eighty-three times in the New Testament, and though so frequently employed, is never used with an adjective. Jesus sets before us One who is perfect; One who stands alone, and the name the Spirit of God deigns to bring before us, stands unadorned in all the matchlessness of its divine simplicity-Jesus. This is exceedingly blessed. Our hearts subscribe to it, I doubt not. There is none like Jesus. How shall we add to the beauty of that name? Such expressions as "Dear Jesus" and "Sweet Jesus" we do not care for. They do not sound seemly to the spiritual ear.
They are based upon a low conception of Who that blessed One is. They are what Scripture calls "honey." The Spirit of God presents His name in all the simplicity of our language unadorned. No adornment is needed to set forth the excellences of the person of Jesus.
What line of things does "Jesus" set before us? It is the name connected with earth; the name which sets before us the Son of God in His humiliation and rejection down here. That name sets before us the Man who trod earth's highways and byways; the Man despised and rejected; whose path led Him but to one end-the cross. In fact, that very name was inscribed upon the cross,
“And set up over His head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS." Matt. 27:37.
There we have it. This gives character to the name. Jesus is the name of His lowliness, of His rejection and of His shame. When we get that word in Scripture, it is that line of things directly or indirectly, the Spirit of God would present to our hearts.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus (not Christ) the author and finisher of faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. 12:1, 2.
There we have that line of things before us, do we not? It is the Lord down here in a pathway of shame, lowliness and humiliation.
Some other thoughts as to this: Scripture never speaks of us as being "in Jesus." That isn't Scriptural. Our position is not connected with the Lord Jesus in His pathway of shame and humiliation. Our position is of another character as we may presently see. We are not declared in Scripture to be in Jesus. I know of course, there is one Scripture where that expression is used in the King James' version:
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." 1 Thess. 4:14.
The correct rendering is, "those who have fallen asleep through Jesus" or "by means of Jesus." It isn't those who sleep "in Him." "Yours in Jesus" is not Scriptural. If we say, "Yours in Christ," that is another thing. Jesus is the name attached to a path of shame, humiliation and death, and trodden by the Lord alone. We were not associated with Him in that.
“And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth." Phil. 2:8, 9, 10.
What a blessed recompense for the One who trod that lowly path. At the name expressive of that lowliness and shame, it is decreed that every knee shall bow. What infinite mercy that our knees have already bowed to it!
To be continued)