The Divine Man

From: Christian Truth: Volume 38

By: John Gifford Bellett

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Divine Man, The

From: Christian Truth: Volume 9

Divine Man, The

From: Sound Words: 1878

• 2 min. read • grade level: 6

We are led to look at our Lord Jesus, and through a succession of conditions we see in Him man presented to God with infinite, though varied, delight and satisfaction. I have long since traced Him in the following way as man in all perfection:

Born. The material, so to speak, moral and physical, is presented in Jesus as the born one. He was a taintless sheaf of the human harvest. In Him, man was perfect as man (Luke 1:35³⁵And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)).

Circumcised. Jesus in this respect was under the law and He kept it, of course, to all perfection. Man in Him was thus perfect as under law (Luke 2:21²¹And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21)).

Baptized. In this character, Jesus is seen bowing

to the authority of God, owning Him in His dispensations, and man in Him is perfect in all

righteousness, as well as under law (Luke 3:21²¹Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, (Luke 3:21)).

Anointed. As anointed, Jesus was sent forth to service and testimony. In this respect, man is seen in Him perfect as a servant (Luke 3:22²²And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. (Luke 3:22)).

Devoted. Jesus surrendered Himself to God, and left Himself in His hand to do to His utmost will and pleasure. In Him man was, therefore, perfect as a sacrifice (Luke 22:19, 20¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:19‑20)).

Risen. This begins a series of new conditions in which man is found. This is the first stage of the new estate. John 12:24²⁴Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24) intimates a new course in man, as here said. The corn of wheat, having fallen into the ground and died, is now capacitated to be fruitful. Man in the risen Jesus is in life which cannot be annulled.

Glorified. The risen Man, or man in life which cannot be annulled, wears a heavenly image. The new man has a new, or glorious, body.

Reigning. The risen and glorified Man receives in due season authority to execute judgment. Dominion is His. The lost dominion of man is regained, only in a better and fuller way.

Scripture leads us through this series of contemplations on the Son of man. And though I speak here of the Man, as elsewhere I did of the divine glory, yet I do not divide the Person. Throughout all, it is "God manifest in the flesh" we have before us.

We need to walk softly over such ground, and not to multiply words. On so high a theme, precious to the loving, worshiping heart, we may remember what is written, "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin." Pro. 10:19¹⁹In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. (Proverbs 10:19).

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