Chapter 2
Jesus Claimed to Be Man's Answer

by Rod MacArthur

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Composed of chapter 2 in Jesus Meets Our Needs: Jesus died...for me! © 1993 by Rod MacArthur. All rights reserved. Used by permission of the publisher.

Copyright © 1993 by Rod MacArthur

ISBN 0-938855-19-0

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MacArthur Publishers, Inc.
Tacoma, WA 98446 USA

Chapter 2
Jesus Claimed to Be Man's Answer

Rod MacArthur

"No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known" John 1:18.

Jesus, being the exact representation of God and the ideal man at the same time, is the answer to the vital needs of man—if his claims can be trusted. Chapter two counterbalances chapter one. For every one of man's deep spiritual needs we trace statements about Jesus which assert that he has the answer. Chapters 3–8 argue for the truth of these assertions, but this chapter merely presents Jesus' claims.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him" Col. 1:15–19.

Clearly the New Testament writers expected a man to see in Jesus the complete and full embodiment of everything God wants him to know and to be. Jesus has first place in everything, especially in all matters pertaining to man's spiritual needs.

We established in chapter one that man is primarily a spiritual being in a biodegradable body. The temporal nature of his flesh makes it absurd for him to focus most of his energies on fulfilling needs associated with the flesh. On the other hand we highlighted areas of shortfall in man's spirit-man to show that he needs help there. Jesus claims to provide such help.

Jesus Completely Revealed the Father

Because man was made in God's image and was intended to be like Him, and because man can only "be" what he can "see" in his mind, it is necessary for him to "see" what God is and how He relates to life on earth. Jesus in the flesh provided the perfect example.

• "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

• Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

• Jesus answered: "Don't you know me Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’" John 14:7–10.

"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." These are bold, clear words whose meaning cannot be missed. Paul once said "I know him whom I have believed," indicating that it is possible to know God.

When accused of working on the Sabbath in John 5, Jesus said, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working," implying that all one had to do to see God in action was to watch Jesus. This claim was so clear and so distressing that the Jews immediately intensified their efforts to kill Jesus. They didn't miss it; neither did the Jews in John 10.

"I and the Father are one" John 10:30.

When Jesus said, "I and the Father are one," the Jews became enraged again. Picking up stones, they tried once more to kill him. Look at the import of the claim: so unified were Jesus and the Father that to know Jesus was to know the Father.

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" Heb. 1:3

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers" Rom. 8:29.

"And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" Col. 3:10. 

What About You?

If his claim is true, Jesus is your perfect example of the Father, and only by modeling your life after his can you be like the Father. In that case, will you hold him up as your hero and the man you most want to be like?

Jesus is Man's Savior

Ignorance of God or unwillingness to follow him, puts man at a great disadvantage. Errors made obstinately or in ignorance cost him dearly, separating him from God. Man needed someone to heal the breach, which is why Jesus came. His supreme mission was to save people.

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" Matt. 1:21.

Even before Jesus was born he was destined to this mission. In fact his name, Jesus, gives his mission away, for it means Jehovah saves, or Jehovah's salvation. God prepared a perfect plan with a perfect sacrifice for the sins of man: the body of Jesus. Knowing that he would save the world through the body and blood of his son, God called him Jesus, Jehovah's salvation

• "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" Luke 19:10.

• "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" Matt. 20:28.

While on earth Jesus acknowledged his goal, searching out the lost to call them to salvation. But more than just searching and calling, Jesus was even willing and ready to die to save them. Surely a man is right when he says, "Jesus came to die for me."

"In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of bllood there is no forgiveness" Heb. 9:22.

Consider this further, that Jesus came to die for man. Sin requires forfeiture of life (Rom. 6:23), and life is in the blood (Lev. 17:11). Whoever sins must pay with life-blood. The Jewish sacrifices emphasized this truth. Every time an Israelite sinned he had to bring an animal—bull, goat, or sheep—to atone for his sin. Unfortunately, since this was only a symbol, animal sacrifices were ineffective

"Because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" Heb. 10:4.

Animal blood, as in Jewish sacrifices, was insufficient and could not remove sin. Animals do not have the same in the image of God spirit that lives in man, which is why their blood could not take away man's sins. Sin requires a payment equal in value to the offense; animals did not provide equal value.

• "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" Matt. 26:28.

• "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God" 2 Cor. 5:21.

• "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…" Eph. 1:7.

Rather than leave each man to die in sin, Jesus came to give his life-blood for all, a payment equal to the demands of sin. Jesus was human, so his blood provided equal value to man's transgressions; and since Jesus was without sin, he could satisfy all demands. Every one who wants his sins removed has the perfect answer in Jesus.
 

What about you?

If his claim is true, Jesus is the answer to your sin problem; you can be completely free from the guilt and debt of sin. If his blood can set you free; will you accept it?

Jesus is Man's High Priest

The need for a faithful high priest is obvious. Even after a man who used to be a sinner returned to God and found forgiveness in the blood of Jesus, he continued to make mistakes. Mistakes (sin) required priestly intercession to receive forgiveness. A Jewish man was to bring an appeasing sacrifice to the priest, who presented it to God on his behalf. But a priest of earthly origin, such as the high priests of Judaism, had two major problems that rendered him ineffective.

• "Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people" Heb. 5:1–3

• "Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office" Heb. 7:23.

Without fail, each high priest lived an imperfect life, which obligated him to offer for his own sins first. Each high priest was prevented by human weaknesses from being all that God required of a high priest. Further, each priest was prevented by death from serving forever. The continuous line of successors clearly demonstrated the inadequacies of the high priests from Levi. They could never completely provide the atonement for sin that men so badly needed.

• "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted" Heb. 2:17–18.

• "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin" Heb. 4:14–15.

• "…he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" Heb. 7:25.

Jesus, on the other hand, possessed a three-fold qualification. Not only did he taste the intensity of man's temptation, so he could be merciful to him while being faithful to God; he also did not yield to it; Jesus was without sin. And since he rose victoriously from death he lives on as high priest forever. Jesus qualified to be man's high priest in three ways: human, without sin, and risen to an endless life. In every way Jesus completely provides man's needs for intercession.

Man's benefit is great. Knowing that Jesus always serves as a faithful high priest to present appeasement to God and to intercede, a man can approach Jesus for forgiveness whenever his heart weighs heavy with guilt or remorse. Whatever the man has done, wherever he might be, or even whatever is currently happening does not matter; Jesus is always there. Jesus knows how the man feels and what he needs, and will intercede for him; "he always lives to intercede."  

What about you?

Too many Christians get down on themselves when they fail and they feel too dirty to talk to Jesus about it. However, since Jesus claims to be a merciful and powerful high priest, instead of getting down on yourself, you can get on your knees and ask him. If his claim is true, in Jesus you have the priest you need.

Jesus Provides Guidance Through Life

• "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" Jer. 10:23.

• "For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" 1 Pet. 2:25.

Jeremiah spoke from experience and observation when he said, "it is not for man to direct his steps." This is more accurately rendered, as with the NASV, it is not in man to direct his steps. Sheep-like in that he tends to follow whoever might be leading—whether the leader knows where is going or not; a man does not always make his best decisions. He might not know how to choose wisely. We observed in chapter one: man's body has desires that divert his attention from sober thinking and lead him from God. What man urgently needs is someone to teach him how to conduct his life wisely.

• "The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" John 10:3–4.

• "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand" John 10:27–28.

John 10 relates the Good Shepherd narrative, in which Jesus called himself man's shepherd. If men are like sheep who stray, at least Jesus is the shepherd who leads and guides and feeds. If a man cannot always judge what is best for himself, because of interference from his flesh, Jesus knows and cares. With Jesus' guidance any man can find his way while avoiding heart-rending mistakes and costly errors of judgment..

"Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’" John 14:6.

What all did Jesus mean by this word, "I am the way"? Did he merely intend to indicate that a man has to be part of Jesus' church in order to be saved? Did Jesus wish to convey that a man has to get into him. These are true concepts, but are they what he intended at this place?

Jesus implied by this that his mode and manner of life, his attitude toward truth and righteousness, his outlook and priorities; that these demonstrated the way to live acceptably. All that Jesus was in action and attitude became man's pattern for life. No man can get to the Father except the way Jesus did. This is the meaning of the verse.

• "Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" Rom. 8:14.

• "You, however, are controlled not by the [flesh] but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" Rom. 8:9.

• "Those who live according to the sinful nature [lit., flesh] have their minds set on what that nature [lit., the flesh] desires" Rom. 8:5.

First, notice that sinful nature, as given in the NIV, should actually be rendered flesh. The conflict in man arises when his fleshly demands assail his spiritual decisions. Some men learn to set their minds on spiritual things, while others simply follow the impulses of their flesh.

Look again at the three verses from Romans 8. Notice that they are arranged in reverse order. Starting from Paul's conclusion let's work backwards: In verse 14, God's children are not left to drift; drifters do not belong to Him, because His children are led by the Spirit. Paul said in verse 9, without such guidance from the Spirit, one does not belong to him. But consider verse 5; some men mind the things of the Spirit, or as the NASV says "set their minds on" the things of the Spirit. Since they mind the things of the Spirit, they are filled with the Holy Spirit and are led by him.

Sum it up this way: the Bible—God's revelation—is the work of the Spirit delivered through godly men. Anyone who took what the Spirit gave in the Bible, set his mind on it, and let that message guide and direct his life, proved that he was God's child.

In a practical sense, consider the foundation this gives for making even mundane decisions in today's complex world. Are a man's choices and priorities established according to the way that seems right to him, without an understanding of the nature and purpose of God? What will happen to him if he simply does it his way? Instead, what if his choices are made from his understanding of how Jesus would make them? What will happen to him in that case?

The latter allows a man to be guided through life, making choices and acting in harmony with Jesus, thus avoiding mistakes and pitfalls. That man will go smoothly. Not only will his relationship with God be what it should be, but he will deal wisely and fairly with people, too.  

What about you?

Your way will inevitably lead you away from God; it will also leave you prone to mistakes that bring regret and remorse. Knowing, if his claim is true, that the only way to come to the Father is Jesus' way, and that this is the only way to live successfully, will you commit yourself to follow him?

Jesus Protects Man from Satan’s Hordes

Remember, in every man there is an inner man. Though a man has a body of flesh, he is still a spiritual being. Spiritual make-up means spiritual enemies; man has vicious ones. It is vitally important to consider well the spiritual protection and victory offered in Jesus.

"They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers" Rev. 17:14.

"They" who make war are Satan's malicious agents: false religion, corrupt government, or perverse society. Satan uses them all, combined with a man's lusts, to overpower the man. It's war! But Jesus "overcomes" specifically because he is "Lord of lords, and King of kings." The "followers" "with him" also overcome—if they are "called, chosen and faithful."

"Which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given" Eph. 1:20–21.

Notice where Jesus is: at God's right hand, far above any ruling powers—including Satan's. But also notice from verse 22 that God gave him, who is head of everything, to men in the church. Jesus belongs to his people. His rulership and protection cannot be challenged by any power—including Satan's! As Jesus said in John<|>10:28, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."

"Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand" Rom. 14:4.

The comfort found in Rom. 14:4 is great. A man may seem at times to be frail, weak, or feeble. He may feel that Satan must surely have the upper hand. Let him take heart and be strong: the Lord is able to make him stand. Satan cannot destroy the man whom the Lord upholds!

• "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" Rom. 16:20.

• "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" James 4:7.

Not only will a man successfully withstand Satan, he will actually be able to "crush" him. Or to be more precise, God will crush Satan as that man remains faithful.

Nobody likes to be crushed, not even Satan, who has no tolerance against a man's faithful submission to God nor against Christ's power. If the man holds true to Jesus, Satan will leave the man alone—because Jesus delivers him and provides safe passage against this lethal enemy.  

What about you?

Jesus once said Satan "has nothing in me." How many battles, or even skirmishes, did he ever lose to Satan? If his claim is true and you stand with him, remaining true to him, how many will you lose?

Jesus Provides Assurance in View of Death

Another tragic reality of man's existence—a spiritual being in a physical body—is that he will die. Most men, like the apostle Paul (2 Cor. 5:1–5), have no great desire to die. There is an eternal drive in each man, put there by God (Eccl. 3:11). Man wants to live, but knows he will die. Is there any guarantee that a man can go on living after he has died? Is death the end of conscious existence? Or is there life beyond the grave? Man yearns to know what will happen. The thirst for eternity within his breast longs for assurance.

"Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them’" Rev. 14:13.

If this reading is true, there is a blessing waiting for some people after they die. That means there is a life in which to receive the blessing. But which people will receive it? Notice, the text says those "who die in the Lord." Once again, Jesus claims to answer this deep human need.

And what is the blessing? Rest! That is, not just the sleep of death, but respite from labors and troubles. Rev. 14:13 promises that a man's faithfulness and his works for Jesus in this life, continue to bring rewards after the man has died. This is either an empty promise, or man will live again after leaving his earthly body.

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive" 1 Cor. 15:20–22.

What are firstfruits? The answer depends on one's perspective. From one perspective, as man recognizes God's graciousness, firstfruits describes the best of his harvest being offered in thankfulness to God. Or as God recognized man's dependence, firstfruits represents the promise and guarantee of the plentiful harvest to follow. In this latter sense, Jesus became the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." Since he came forth from death, so will the rest of mankind.<assurance>

"I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and Hades" Rev. 1:18.

A child might fear to go into a strange new house, not knowing whether he will be locked in and not be able to get out. How might a father comfort his child? Two things will help: if the father has gone through the house safely and has returned unharmed, and if the father can show his child the key that unlocks the door. The child can be assured of his own safe return.

We are like children in regard to our apprehensions about death, and Jesus puts our fears to rest. He went safely into the realm of death and came back alive forever. Not only that, he has the keys to unlock death's doors. There is no fear in death to those for whom Jesus holds the key.

"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep with him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words" 1 Thess. 4:13–18.

In looking courageously and faithfully at death we are not downplaying a man's personal losses when his loved one dies. Paul didn't say, "Don't grieve." He said, "Don't grieve like the hopeless." I know I will see my beloved again, non-believers have no such hope. I ache to see my beloved now, but am comforted knowing I shall see them later. The hopeless have no such comfort.

The spirits that once lived in bodies I recognized as loved ones will come with Jesus when he returns. They live on! In a resurrection unto an eternal body (1 Corinthians 15) the dead will be raised; then the living shall be changed into their eternal bodies. Then all, the resurrected and the changed, shall be brought into the presence of Jesus, never to leave him or be separated from him again.

See once again that Jesus claims to be the very source and fulfillment of man's inherent need. Man was born to live forever and in Jesus he can. Isn't this deep comfort and hope?

What about you?

Jesus claims to be the answer to your craving to live forever. You have no thirst to die; in fact, you probably fear death. Jesus has shown that death is not forever, he has the key to let men out. The dead who die in the Lord have a blessing of rest. Will you be blessed when he comes?

Now look back at Jesus and see his claims. Is he the answer to each one of man's spiritual needs?

• Does a man need someone to explain God to him? Remember that Jesus lived as God in a body! He completely illustrated everything God would do or say or think if he were in man's place.

• Does a man need someone to pay the price for his mistakes? It is clear that he can not afford the price. But take heart, Jesus already paid it! The price has been paid and man can be free.

• Does a man need someone to intercede for him with God? A man's on-going mistakes and failures don't need to continually mar his relationship with God. He has a mediator and friend in Jesus. As high priest, Jesus faithfully and mercifully intervenes for him.

• Does a man wish someone would show him how to make wise choices and how to direct his life? Jesus leads the man gently but surely and safely to his destiny! Jesus walked a path that led him to heaven; let a man follow that same path and he will get there, too.

• Does a man feel overwhelmed by Satan's hateful power and guile? The battle Satan wages is cruel and malicious. But Jesus, the universal ruler, guarantees a man safe conduct past Satan! The man will stand with Jesus in victory if he walks with him in life.

• Does a man want life after death? Jesus has the keys to set him free. Jesus was dead and now lives forever; so also will every faithful follower of Jesus.

Such are the claims of Jesus. A man will find answers to his innermost yearnings and conflicts in these assertions.

But are they valid? Go into chapter three with this question, "What proof is offered to support the claims?" Evidence from the actual text of Scripture is arrayed and analyzed, and the reader will be challenged to decide for himself.

Questions to Consider:

• List aspects of Jesus' life and character that impress you as being God-like. How can you imitate them?

• How can you use the sacrifice of Jesus to heal the breach between you and God?

• What qualifies Jesus to be your high priest?

• Please tell why it is important to you, if indeed it is, to follow Jesus' lead. What happens when a man chooses his own way?

• As long as you are faithful to Jesus, what will happen to Satan in regard to you? List as many points as you can.

• Concerning Jesus' promise to raise you from the dead, what is most comforting to you?

This chapter is available at the website: http://gospelthemes.com where copies can be made to distribute freely as long as the chapter is kept intact along with all of its headers and footers and the copyright and publisher information and addresses.

This material is composed of chapter 2 in Jesus Meets Our Needs: Jesus died...for me! by Rod MacArthur. It provides a small sample of the wealth of information found in this book about Jesus' relationship to God and man. Would you like to know "what proof is offered to support Jesus' claims"? Would you like to study the evidence from the actual text of Scripture as it is arrayed and analyzed, and be challenged to decide for yourself if Jesus was who he claimed to be? If so, you can order Jesus Meets Our Needs: Jesus died...for me! from Gospel Themes Press, 2028 South Austin, Suite 906 Amarillo, TX 79109-1960 USA. Place an order.

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