Lord’s Day, Vol. 14 No. 25
The Christ of God
Luke 9:18-22 (KJV) And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. 21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; 22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Here is given the plan of God for man’s redemption through the Christ of God – The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day (v22).
Verse 20 was Peter’s confession as a born again believer in Christ – John 1:13 (KJV) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The Old Testament Scriptures prophesied of the coming Messiah and His atoning work for man’s sin is being brought to light through Jesus to His disciples here – Isaiah 53:5-6 (KJV) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he wasbruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The fulfilment of God’s plan since Adam’s fall was coming to fruition – Genesis 3:15 (KJV) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Why is it that Jesus straitly charged His disciples and commanded them to tell no man this thing? Christ’s crucifixion would deal a death blow to Satan – Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
In God’s redemption plan, fallen men can be saved through Christ, but for fallen angels, there is no redemption. Man is made in the image of God and through Christ, the Son of man, he can be reconciled.
John the Baptizer was not that Christ (v19), he was the forerunner to point men to Christ for their salvation – Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Nor was it the prophet Elijah who was taken to heaven bodily by chariots of fire and prophesied to return.
Rather this is the fulfilment as announced by the angel to the shepherds in the field in Bethlehem – Luke 2:11 (KJV) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
It is also the fulfilment of Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 9:26 (KJV) And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Amen.