THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD
(Rm. 1:4)
By Pastor Paulus Budiono
Lemah Putro, Sunday, April 12, 2020
Shalom,
We usually say “Happy Birthday” to someone who celebrates his birthday. At Christmas we generally say, “Merry Christmas” but do we realize that we actually celebrate the birth of Jesus on that day?
Right now we also say “Happy Easter” to others but do we truly know that we are celebrating His resurrection? Are we sure that everyone knows the meaning of Christmas and Easter? The Apostle Paul declared boldly that the one who was resurrected from the dead was the powerful Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:4)
On Good Friday service we have heard about the three defendants hung on the cross facing death. Two of them were sentenced according to their evil deeds but the third one (Jesus) was receiving injustice.
The head of the Roman centurion was obliged to wait until they all died. As soon as Jesus died, he unexpectedly cried out, "Really, this is the Son of God." (Matthew27:54; Mark 15:39).
The head of the centurion acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God after He died while the Apostle Paul declared Jesus as the Son of God after He rose from the dead. Which one is better? The truth is they are interrelated since resurrection happens because of death. In other words, there is no resurrection without death.
By reading the Bible we discover how important the name of the Son of God is. Actually, the head of the centurion didn't really know Jesus; he only observed the six-hour process of Jesus’ crucifixion from the beginning to His death.
Likewise, Saul/Paul saw a bright light from heaven (the risen Jesus) on the journey to Damascus. He was blinded for three days and then God commanded Ananias to open his eyes. Saul then repented and was baptized. After staying for a few days with the disciples, he immediately proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues (Acts 9:1-20).
In fact, the Old Testament foretold about the Son of God in Psalms 2:7, "You are My Son, today I have begotten You."
After Jesus died and rose, the four Gospels in the New Testament wrote about Jesus, the Son of God: the Gospel of Matthew was written in Judea in AD 60-65; the Gospel of Mark in Rome in 55–65 AD; the Gospel of Luke in Caesaria in AD 60 ; the Gospel of John in Ephesus in AD 85-90.
Those who claim that Jesus is the Son of God are: John the Baptist (John 1:32-34), Nathanael (John 1:49), Peter (Matthew 16:15-16), Martha (John 11:20-27) and even evil spirits (Mark 5:1-7) and Satan (Matthew 4:3,6) etc. Aren’t two or three witnesses in the name of God strong evidence already (Matthew 18:20)?
Both the head of the centurion and Paul declared about the same person, Jesus, as the Son of God, but in different time. The head of the centurion confessed after Jesus died and was recorded in three Gospels, while Paul did it after Jesus had risen.
What is the insight we could get from the confession that Jesus is the Son of God done after His death and resurrection? A will (the promise of Jesus) is only valid after the will maker (Jesus) has died (Hebrews 9:16-17). If Jesus had not risen, the seven sentences uttered by Jesus on the cross would have been in vain and the Passover that we celebrate year after year would have been meaningless.
Introspection: The confession about Jesus as the Son of God was written thousands of years ago, do we still believe it? If we do, why do we prefer calling Him simply as God and dare not openly declare that He is the Son of God?
We should explain further that the Lord we worship is Jesus who was crucified (Acts 2:36); however, indeed we must be prepared to face the consequences.
The head of the centurion certainly understood his government’s law and regulations, but he dared to take the risk to admit that Jesus was the Son of God. It’s because he believed that the promise of Jesus' forgiveness was valid and would be fulfilled.
It’s impossible for ordinary man to make a promise to give an eternal life in Paradise. It turns out that before Jesus was crucified, He said that the Son of Man was given the right (power) to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6a).
Jesus' forgiveness transcends everything as experienced by the criminal next to Jesus. He was supposed to die, but he received salvation because of the forgiveness from the Son of God, which was acknowledged by the Father in Heaven.
The head of the centurion also witnessed how Jesus gave hope and brought unity in God’s family when He spoke to His mother, Mary and His beloved disciple, John.
During Jesus’ ministry before being crucified, His family ever planned to take Him out of the crowd because they considered Him insane (Mark 3:21). At that time His mother and brothers were standing outside unable to come in because of the crowd. Having assumed to have the right as His family, they asked someone to call Him out (v. 31). What did Jesus answer? “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother” (vv. 33-35).
On the cross there is a union of God's extended family – the Gentiles who were previously without Christ, not of Israel's citizenship, didn’t have the portion of the promise, without hope, without God, were far from God, but now they are made close by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:12-13).
We, the Gentiles, have received a promise of new status that we’re no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's family (v. 19).
The head of the centurion also heard clearly the loud cry out of Jesus, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34), and “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” (Luke 23:46).
This proves that as the Son of God, Jesus only cried out and entrusted Himself to His Father and not to others.
When Jesus was arrested and handed over to Caiaphas the high priest, there also gathered together the scribes and the elders. The chief priests and all the council sought false testimony to lead Jesus to death sentence (Matthew 26: 57-62).
Jesus remained silent, not responding to all the accusations made against Him until Caiaphas asked, “I put You under oath by the living God: tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said…” (vv. 63-64).
In fact, Jesus' answer was deliberately awaited by the scribes and chief priests who hated Him deeply. Jesus' acknowledgement as the Son of God made Him sentenced to death on the cross.
If they killed Jesus out of hatred, on God's side, Jesus' death was an opportunity to prove that He was His Son.
The cross became His bet when Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. God Himself could not die but Jesus – the Word – became human/flesh so that He could die to atone for human’s sins.
Application: If we believe in Jesus who died for us, we are empowered to become children of God (John 1:12).
Let us emulate the attitude of Jesus by learning not to get emotional easily when we are accused and slandered. Believe that Jesus rose from the dead and His promise will soon be fulfilled!
Don’t behave like Jesus’ two disciples who kept on mourning as they didn’t believe in Jesus’ resurrection although some women had testified about it (Luke 24:13-27).
Paul was well aware of the notorious things he had done; therefore, he claimed to be the most sinner. He had persecuted Jesus' followers; because of this he deserved to be punished; instead, he was granted grace from Him (1 Timothy 1:12-15).
Just as the head of the centurion who dared to take the risk of being punished according to Roman rules, Saul, who was later known by the name Paul, also faced consequences when publicly proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God soon after he repented (Acts 9:20). Paul's mindset was changed completely and it confused the Jews (vv. 21-22).
He who previously persecuted Jesus' followers, now turned into a person who was so eager to preach the Son of the living God. So the situation turned around as now he became the target of the Jews to be killed (Acts 9:23). Paul became the chosen militant instrument of God (Acts 9:15) and he suffered a lot for the sake of His Name (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
If we are risen together with Christ, our mindset will also be changed to focus more on the things above (Colossians 3:1-2), just as Paul who decided not to know anything else, except Jesus crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Jesus' death on the cross is the reason why He is recognized as the Son of God.
It has been proven that Jesus' death gave us many blessings including: we who have sinned are reconciled to God, justified by His blood, saved from God's wrath and we can even boast in God (Romans 5:6-11).
We are even made similar to the image of Jesus, so that He became the firstborn among many brothers. We, who are called by God are justified and glorified by Him (Romans 8:28-30). It is very clear that there is a progress in following Jesus.
After the martyrdom of the Apostle Peter (AD 64) and the Apostle Paul (AD 67) under the reign of the evil emperor Nero, the Apostle John wrote the Gospel of John to make us believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through faith we can live in His name (John 20:30-31).
Question: Realizing of all the consequences, will we admit that Jesus is the living Son of God?
Did you know that those who can overcome the world are those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:5)? On the other hand, whoever does not believe in God makes Him a liar because he does not believe in God's testimony of His Son (vv. 9-10).
God's testimony is that He gives eternal life in His Son. So, if we believe in the Name of the Son of God, we will have eternal life (v. 13).
The Apostle Paul reminded the young Timothy to boldly preach the Word of God in season or out of season, convince, rebuke and advise with all patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2).
Let us preach the risen Jesus, because He is the Son of God who has the power to give victory over the world. He also answers our prayers according to His will (1 John 5:14-17).
Remember, Jesus died so that we could receive life as we are no longer hostile to God. His resurrection makes us live in truth and carefulness.
Our destination is the New Jerusalem, that is why, we must put to death the deed of the flesh because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50).
Jesus forbade His disciples to tell anyone that He was the Messiah, the Son of the living God because at that time He had not died yet (Matthew 16:15-16,20). Now He has risen and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father (Colossians 3: 1). We, who are still alive, are asked by Him to preach who He is. Will we testify and preach Jesus, the Son of the living God? Amen.
This worship video can be listened to at Ibadah Minggu Paskah GKGA - 12 April 2020 - Pdt. Paulus Budiono