Lord Jesus Christ: Risen, Reigning, Returning The Doctrine of God the Son

 The Eternal Son Who Entered Time

The second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ has always existed  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1; Colossians 1:17; Micah 5:2). Zechariah 9–11 presents Him in two complementary roles: the humble shepherd-king who comes in sacrificial service and the conquering king who judges evil and rules without rival. Both portraits are essential to understanding the full scope of who He is.

When the fullness of time arrived, the eternal Son took on human flesh (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4–5; Philippians 2:6–8), born in a lowly stable in fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1–7). He lived the sinless life no human being could live (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22) and died the substitutionary death all humanity deserved (Isaiah 53:4–6; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18). From first to last, Jesus stands as the centerpiece of God's redemptive plan, the One to whom all Scripture points (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Revelation 19:10).

The Shepherd Rejected, the King Enthroned

Zechariah's prophecy starkly portrays the rejection of the Messiah by His own people. The thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12–13) find precise fulfillment in Judas's betrayal (Matthew 26:14–16; 27:3–10), and the triumphal entry in Zechariah 9:9 is fulfilled in Jesus's arrival in Jerusalem (Matthew 21:4–5; John 12:14–15), a moment of celebration that preceded His crucifixion within days. Isaiah had foretold that "He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him" (Isaiah 53:3; John 1:11). Yet rejection was never the final word. God raised Him from the dead (Acts 2:24; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:4), exalted Him to His right hand (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 1:20–21), and gave Him a name above every name (Philippians 2:9–11). Though the world largely continues in its rejection, He reigns (Colossians 1:13,18-19; Colossians 3:1-4) and He will return (Matthew 24:30).

The Crisis of Sin and the Only Solution

The passage makes clear what is at stake for those who fail to receive Jesus. Apart from Him, God remains a distant and unapproachable deity, and humanity is left navigating sin's devastation with nothing more than frail human remedies. Scripture is unambiguous: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The world's brokenness (social, moral, spiritual) is not a problem that education, politics, or human ingenuity can solve at its root. Sin is a catastrophic rupture between God and humanity, and only a sinless, divine-human mediator can bridge it (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15). "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12; cf. John 14:6). Jesus is not one option among many. He is the only answer to humanity's deepest and most urgent crisis.

The Return That Changes Everything

Zechariah 12–14 extends the prophetic vision forward to the second advent, when the One who came in humility returns in glory. Every eye will behold Him (Revelation 1:7; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 24:30), and every knee will bow before Him (Philippians 2:10–11; Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11). Those who pierced Him will mourn (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37), and He will judge His enemies and deliver His people with finality (2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 19:11–16; Zechariah 14:3–4). What Zechariah foresaw in shadow, the New Testament declares in full light: the King is coming to assume the throne that has always been His (Luke 1:32–33; Revelation 11:15; Daniel 7:13–14).

Enthroning Jesus Now and Then

God calls His people to enthrone Jesus in their hearts today as they await His return. To believe in Jesus is to receive, through faith, the gift of righteousness He earned (Romans 3:22–24; 2 Corinthians 5:21), the indwelling presence of His Spirit (Romans 8:9–11; Ephesians 1:13–14), and the unshakeable hope of eternity with Him (John 14:1–3; 1 Peter 1:3–5). This is not passive waiting — it is active worship, surrender, and allegiance to the King who died for us, rose for us, intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34), and is coming for us.

Is Jesus the King of your heart? Zechariah's ancient prophecies and the full witness of Scripture together issue the same urgent invitation: receive the humble Shepherd as your Savior, crown Him Lord of your life, and await in confident hope the day He descends in glory to make all things new (Revelation 21:5).

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God's Word, Jesus, and Holy Spirit give testimony of Jesus divinity

I'm getting old. I find myself feeling upset that people don't know the basic truths of Christianity. BSF calls this Biblical poverty and seeks to eradicate it in our lifetime. At church last week Dobbs made a statement about Evangelicals; "Is Jesus Divine? 30% of “Evangelicals” Say No." I thought they must be categorizing things wrong. Then my wife forwarded me the poll that defines Evangelicals as say "strongly agree' with the following statements:

• The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe.
• It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin.
• Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation.

This week in BSF we study Genesis 1:1-25 and these scriptures talk about how God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) work together in Creation. 

If you are a Christian who doesn't think Jesus is God, or that God is trinitarian. Take a moment and read the following scriptures:

John 1:1-3) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 

Colossians 1:15-19) 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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 the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

Colossians 2:3) 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:9) 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

Hebrews 1:3) 3 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.

Job 26:13) 13 By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.

Psalm 104:30) 30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

Genesis 6:3) 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27) 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

John 3:8) 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

John 7:38-39)  38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

John 14:16-17) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

John 16:7-8) 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:

Romans 8:9) 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:6) 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:18) 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-14) 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Titus 3:5-6) 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

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Jesus heals at Bethesda, explains God and testimonies authenticate him

John 5
AIM: Truth and life are found for all who receive Jesus in faith
Repetitions:

• Father (15), Son (10), life or live (10)
• True, truth or truly (7), "time" (7), "hear" (7)
• Judges, judgement or judged (6), Sabbath (4), kill, death or dead (4)

Characters: Jesus, healed invalid, Jewish leaders but no mention of disciples but certainly a crowd of people were around Jerusalem, the pool and temple where this all takes place.
Divisions:
A) Miracle Missed (5:1-18)
B) Truth of Eternal Judgement (19-30)
C) Truthful Testimony of God (31-47)

A) Invalid of 38 years healed by Jesus on Sabbath infuriating Jewish leaders
(1-2) Jesus, Jerusalem Jewish festival Sheep Gate pool Bethesda, five colonnades
(3-6) Many disabled people lie there, invalid 38 years Jesus asked "want to get well?"
(7-10) "no one to help me, others get ahead of me" Jesus: "pick up mat/walk" healed Sabbath
(10-13) Jewish leaders: mat carrying is forbidden Sabbath, He healed me said to do it I don't know him
(14-15) Jesus found him temple, "your well, stop sinning or worse will happen to you" told Jewish Leaders Jesus
(16-17) Jesus healed on Sabbath, Jewish leaders persecuted "My Father always works daily"
(18) For this tried to kill him, breaking Sabbath, calling God his Father, equal with God
Principle: Even religious people can see a miracle but miss it do to a hard heart
Application: How do I miss the big picture by being critical of other ministries around me? What command is God giving me right now that would heal me? What sin do I need to stop so that worse will not happen to me?

B) Jesus explains his relationship to God and his work of judgement to come
(19-20) Jesus answer Son does what sees Father doing, Father shows Son all he does, greater works
(21-22) Father raises dead, gives life, so Son gives life, Father entrusted judgement to Son
(23) That all honor Son as Father, doesn't honor Son, doesn't honor Father
(John 5:24) Truly: hear my word, believes God, has eternal life, not judged, from death to life
(25-27) dead will hear voice, Son of God live Father has life, granted Son has life/authority to judge is Son of Man
(28-29) time coming those in graves hear him good rise to live, evil rise condemned
(John 5:30) myself, nothing, judge only as hear, judgment just, seek not myself but him who sent me
Application: How is my life reflecting that I believe God? Do I see my friends and co-workers in light of eternity? When will I explain to my friends Jesus is the Son of God who will call everyone to rise to life or judgement?

C) Jesus points out testimony from John, his works, his Father and scripture authenticate his claims
(31-32) by self testimony is not true, another testimony is true
(33-35) John testified truth, not human testimony but that you'd be saved, lamp chose enjoy it
(36-37) Weightier than John, works Father given to finish, testify Father sent me - he testified you never heard his voice/seen his form
(38-40) His word not in you, you don't believe one sent, study scripture think eternal life, testify about Jesus yet refuse to come to Jesus have life
(41-42) I don't accept glory from humans, you don't have love of God in heart
(43-44) in Father's name, not accepted, you don't seek glory from God
(45-47) I won't accuse, Moses will (your hopes are set), if you believe Moses than Jesus too
Principle: Promises without faith are useless as is "faith" without action
Application: When have I rejected good testimony because of a hard heart? How do these many witnesses impact my faith in Christ?

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Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God

John 1:19-51
AIM: Identify Jesus, the Lamb of God and respond with faith

A) John Identifies himself with scripture
(19) Testimony of John the Baptist when Jews (Pharisees (vrs John 1:24) sent priest, Levites from Jerusalem to ask "who are you" (25 hour walk to 51 hours if there was no way to cross to get to Bethany, John 1:28)

• Because John was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15) people came to John from all over to hear him preach "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand", they confess sin and were baptized in the Jordan (Matthew 3:1-6), he also taught people what God expects from him people (Luke 3:8-14).

(20) John said, I'm not the Christ

• Luke 3:15 tells us people were in expectation, questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ - but he openly said to all that he was coming to baptize with the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost) and fire (at judgement), see Luke 3:16-17; Acts 2:1-4; Rev 14:14-16; Daniel 7:13.

(21) They asked "Elijah?"  he said "I am not", "the prophet" "No"

• Reincarnation is explicitly denied in the Bible, Hebrews 9:27 says each man is appointed to die and then face judgement
• Elijah was taken up (2 Kings 2:11), yet spoken of regarding day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5), at the transfiguration of Jesus Elijah and Moses were there as well as the Father speaking (Matthew 17:1-13).  Jesus explained John the Baptist was like Elijah, Matthew 17:11-13; Luke 1:16-17 - some see the two witnesses as being before the final judgement (Revelation 10:1-11:19)
• The Prophet was promised in Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:18,22-26

(22-23) "We need an answer for those who sent us", "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said (Isaiah 40:3)

(25-27) "Why baptizing if not Christ, Elijah or Prophet", "I with water, among you stands one you don't know, comes after me"

B) John identifies Jesus, the Lamb and Son of God

(29) John sees Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (forty days later Matthew 3:13-4:2)

• Matt Henry: "great sacrifice, by which atonement is made for sin, and man reconciled to God", plan of redemption (Acts 2:23), Our Passover lamb (1 Cor 5:7)
• Eternal Lamb (1 Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8), Perfect sacrifice (Isaiah 53:4-10), Lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7)

(30-31) Jesus is who John has been preaching about, why he baptized - so Jesus would be revealed to Israel

(32) John, "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, remained on him

• Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, to be born of the Spirit to see and enter God's kingdom (Luke 3:16; John 3:3,5)
• Believers would receive the Spirit like wind and fire and flow from their heart streams of living water (John 3:8; 7:38-39; Acts 1:5;2:1-4,17) Faith is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9;1 Cor 12:13)
• Living Water: Song of Solomon 4:15; Jeremiah 2:13;17:13; Zechariah 14:8; John 4:10;7:37-38; Rev 7:17

(33) (Holy Spirit) said to John, whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit 

(34) John's witnesses: "this is the Son of God"

• Prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, Child is born, son is given his name called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
• The tempter believed, Matthew 4:3,6 as did demons in Matthew 8:29 and His disciples Matthew 14:33; 16:16 and everyone understood Jesus claimed to be Son of God Matthew 26:63;27:40,43,54
• Jesus taught we would be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9) and this has happened as 1 John 5:20 says, "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.", Ephesians 1:5 we are adopted through Jesus Christ.

C) Andrew, Simon/Peter, Philip and Nathanael follow Jesus

(35-36) John, two disciples points to Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

(37-38a) They followed Jesus who turned, saw them following asked "what are you seeking"

(38b) "Rabbi/teacher, where are you staying"

(39-42) "Come and you will see", they stayed with him a day - Andrew believed and told brother Simon/Peter we found the Messiah/Christ
(43-35) next day Jesus Galilee, found Philip from Bethsaida city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael found him whom Moses in the Law and prophet wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph
(46-47) Nathanael doubts, Jesus recognizes him as honest Israelite
(48) Nathanael questions Jesus about knowing him and Jesus answered "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
(49) Nathanael says, Rabbi, you are Son of God, king of Israel
(50-51) Jesus answered because I said v48 you believe - you'll see greater things "heaven opened and angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man

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