Chapter 1 – Who Is Jesus?

. . . An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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.’ “
– Matthew 1:20,21

Jesus – The Alpha & Omega Book Introduction

Perhaps the most controversial person to ever live on Earth was Jesus Christ. Some people say He was a blasphemer. Others say He was a prophet. Some people say He was a trouble maker and others say He is the Son of God. Not long after He ascended to Heaven, His followers began to disagree about His teachings, prerogatives and identity. So, who is Jesus? Where did He come from? Where did He go? What was He all about? Jesus is a challenge to explain because the Bible says so many things about Him.

Jesus remains a controversial figure because of the claims He made and the things He did while on Earth. If He is not the Son of God as He claimed (Matthew 26:63,64), then He has to be the greatest liar who has ever lived. Conversely, if any person denies that Jesus is the Son of God, the Bible says that person is a liar! (1 John 2:22,23) Jesus leaves no one straddling an ideological fence. He is either all that He says or He is the world’s greatest imposter. Interestingly, either people love Him or hate Him.

There is no middle ground. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus play a pivotal part in Earth’s destiny. One man, Jesus Christ, changed the course of human destiny. Jesus brought the assurance of salvation and eternal life out of the tomb. Of course, the promise of salvation existed before Jesus died on the cross, but after His resurrection, we have “living proof” that the penalty for sin has been paid and the promise of eternal life is a coming reality.

Jesus taught that this life is but a prep-school for the life to come. The differences between the life we know right now and the life to come are almost too good to be true. Life will be very different when we finally dwell in God’s physical presence because the curse of sin and every blemish on Creation will be removed. Jesus will no longer be veiled from our eyes. We will see His face and rejoice in His instruction. Everlasting life will be filled with everlasting joy and endless vistas of learning.

In the Earth made new, we will build houses and inhabit them. We will know each other even as we are known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) The redeemed will live forever without seeing death, sorrow, sickness, injury or suffering! Better yet, the redeemed will live forever seeing the One who made life possible. The experience of everlasting life and all that goes with it is only possible because one man, Jesus Christ, changed the destiny of a planet in rebellion.

The Alpha and Omega

Less than 27% of the world’s population claims to be Christian. This indicates Jesus is either unknown to most of the world or He is not considered to be the Son of God by billions of people. Although Christian denominations may not agree on the teachings of Jesus, lively debate has no bearing on who Jesus really is.

The source of disagreement among Christians about Jesus seems to be quite simple. Jesus Christ is so magnificent and so awesome that people cannot understand Him. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end of everything that exists. Jesus is the artist that paints the sunsets with the properties of light.

Jesus is the biological engineer who put the world’s ecological systems into operation. Jesus is the designer of life’s DNA; the One who put the intricate chemistry of the human body into motion. He is the author of life. He is the executor of God’s justice. Jesus Christ is everything. He has no beginning and He has no end. Therefore, it is not possible to fully define Jesus! He is simply too much to comprehend.

Although God has completely demonstrated His love for mankind through the life and death of Jesus, we still have much to learn about God’s love. Even more, Jesus Christ is not through revealing the love of God! He has plans. He has authority and power. And most of all, He is not limited by time or space.

He lives forever and the people who love Him will someday enjoy His presence forever! I believe that because Jesus Christ is so magnificent, the Bible allows some wiggle room for variations in our understanding of His mission and teachings. Every question that we might have about Jesus is not answered in the Bible, but we will soon be able to ask Him any question that we might have.

Test All Things

When it comes to religious ideas, I have observed that many people use the “sour milk method” for testing. In case you were not raised on a farm, the “sour milk method” of testing works like this: A five-gallon bucket of milk can be tested with one teaspoon of milk – if the milk in the teaspoon is sour, all of the milk in the bucket is sour. It is not necessary to drink five gallons of milk to know whether all the milk is sour.

Unfortunately, people often test new ideas with teaspoons or “sound bites.” I mention this because you will probably find some new ideas in this book about Jesus, and at first these ideas may appear to be sour, but please do not throw the whole book out just yet. I would prefer you use another farm method for testing. I call it the “rotten apple” exam. This method requires the examination of each apple in the barrel so that bad apples can be separated from good ones.

This method of investigation can produce very good results because the good apples are not discarded with the bad! Really, the spiritual difference between these two methods of investigation is attitude. If you find an idea about Jesus that is different from what you have heard before, look up the Scripture references in your Bible. Do your best to glean as much from this study as you can.

The God of Both Testaments

For many years, I assumed the God of the Old Testament was the Father and the God of the New Testament was Jesus. In other words, I assumed they were two different Gods. I concluded that the Father was more grumpy than Jesus. Perhaps my assumptions began during childhood because I remember hearing preachers say the God of the Old Testament was more likely to kill people than the God of the New Testament. Today, my view about the Father and Jesus is very different.

One is not grumpy and the other gracious. They are both gracious beyond comparison! Jesus said that He and the Father are one. (John 10:30) I know some people interpret this verse to mean that Jesus and the Father are two manifestations of one being, but I disagree. I understand the oneness of the Father and the Son to mean that they are perfectly united in purpose, plan and action. For example, my wife and I are one (Genesis 2:24), yet we are two separate human beings.

So, I do not understand Jesus’ words to mean that Jesus is the Father and Jesus is also the Son, as some people believe. My study has led me to conclude that the Godhead has three distinct and separate members in it: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Each member of the Godhead shares in the name “God” because each member of the Godhead has the same prerogatives and attributes as the other two, yet they live and function harmoniously in different ways.

What Did Jesus Do before He Was Born?

I did not question my early assumptions about the Father being the God of the Old Testament and Jesus the God of the New Testament until I began to wonder about the life and actions of Jesus before He came to Earth as a baby. As I studied this topic, I made an amazing discovery. The “God” of the Old Testament is not the Father, but actually Jesus! (John 1:1-14;
5:37-40; Colossians 1:17,18)

More than 90% of the references found in the Old Testament pertaining to “God” refer to Jesus Christ!

This discovery profoundly changed my understanding of the Bible and Jesus. Consequently, I now have a much different perspective about the words and teaching of Jesus. It is wonderful to understand how Jesus discussed themes and issues when He was on Earth (as recorded in the Gospels) that He previously discussed with Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and other Old Testament prophets before He came to Earth. As we proceed through this study on Jesus, I will provide scriptural references that demonstrate why I believe, in most cases, the God of the Old Testament is Jesus.

One Theme

Most Christians do not question why the Bible is divided into the Old and the New Testaments, but after studying both testaments for many years,
I have concluded the division is artificial. Actually, the New Testament is a continuation of the Old Testament. Neither Testament should be exalted above the other nor is one book in the Bible inferior to another. The Jesus I find in the Old Testament is a Jesus of love, compassion and long-suffering.

This is consistent with what I find about Him in the New Testament. The Old Testament reveals a history of God’s people repeatedly rejecting their Benefactor, but the same story is also found in the New Testament (and throughout church history, I might add). I find a God of justice and deadly judgments in the Old Testament, and I also find the same thing in the New Testament. As I wrote before, I believe the New Testament is simply a continuation of the Old Testament. The actions and testimony of Jesus in both Testaments reveal what the Godhead is like. (John 5:37-40)

Jesus, the Creator of Heaven and Earth

The Bible begins, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) The first verse in the Bible explains Earth’s origin. This verse also introduces our Creator and we call Him by several titles or names: Jesus, God, Lord, The Word, Son of God, Master, Jehovah and Savior. Did you know that the creative agent of the heavens and Earth is not the Father, but the Son? Notice what Paul wrote, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1,2)

Jesus is the “hands-on” creative agent of the Godhead. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit were in perfect harmony about the creation of Earth, and yes, all three were present! The Father was observing, Jesus was creating, and the Holy Spirit was hovering over the Earth, ready to dwell within the hearts of a new creation called man. (Genesis 1:2) Notice this statement by Paul affirming that Jesus is the creative agent within the Godhead, “For by Him [Christ] 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.” (Colossians 1:16,17, insertion mine.)

In the fourth commandment, the creative works of Jesus are recognized: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. . . For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:8-11) John places the creative handiwork of Jesus beyond dispute by writing, “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” (John 1:10)

Three points need to be highlighted in the texts just presented. First, Jesus is the creative agent of the Godhead. Second, Jesus is called by many different names or titles because one title cannot describe all that Jesus is! Last, Jesus is a name that we use to identify a member of the Godhead after He was born of Mary. In other words, the name “Jesus,” as it applies to the Son of God, is only 2,000 years old. Jesus, of course, is much older.

The Bible and Holy Spirit Agree

The Bible uniquely reveals information about Jesus that cannot be found in any other place. Yet, the Bible is incomplete. John says an infinite and omnipotent Jesus cannot be adequately described on paper. (John 21:25) Knowing about Jesus is not the same as personally knowing Jesus. There may be hundreds of millions of people who claim to be Christian, but a loyal follower of Jesus is known by love and obedience to God and by love for each neighbor. (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:35)

To help us understand what the Godhead is all about, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to help us. Jesus said, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” (John 16:13-14)

If it takes time and experience to understand what a friend is really like, you can understand why it might take a very long time and many diverse experiences to grasp what Jesus is like. For this reason, the historical record in the Bible covers a period of about 4,000 years. If we study the whole Bible, we can get a good picture of what Jesus is really like. In the Old Testament Jesus says, “I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)

In the New Testament Paul wrote, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) The nice thing about studying 4,000 years of Jesus’ behavior is that the Bible presents many separate situations and issues. By thoughtfully examining a range of events and experiences, we begin to understand how Jesus deals with human beings. Far too many people make the mistake of defining Jesus with a small sample of His words or actions. Jesus does not live in our dimension or operate on our timescale.

If we limit our research about Jesus to the four gospels or the book of Psalms, we will not understand all that Jesus is. We must examine every book in the Bible.

Eternal God Revealed in Old and New Testaments

The Old and New Testaments are inspired by the same Holy Spirit, have the same authority and reveal the same Jesus! Pay close attention to what John says about Jesus. “{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. {4} In him was life, and that life was the light of men. . . {10} He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. {11} He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. {12} Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – {13} children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. {14} The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-14)

These verses contain profound information. If you reread the verses in reverse order, you will discover some interesting things about Jesus. For example, many people are confused about the title “God” as it relates to Jesus in verse one. How can “the Word be God” and be “with God?” Think of “God” as a last name: Father God, Son God, and Holy Spirit God. These three entities have the same last name because they are equal in every way, but they each have different roles. (Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 16:5-11; 17:1-5.)

In this light, John 1 reveals that Jesus was God and He was a part of the Godhead from the very beginning.

After reading John 1:14, you may ask, “Why is Jesus called the Word in verse one?” In simple terms this title says volumes about Jesus as the creative agent of the Godhead. The Psalmist says, “For He [Jesus] spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” (Psalms 33:9, insertion mine.)

If the person who baked the cake is called “the baker,” and the person who performed the surgery is called “the surgeon,” then the One, who through the breath of His mouth, spoke the world into existence should be called “the Word.” The disciples were amazed at the power of His words. He calmed a terrifying storm on the Sea of Galilee by speaking the word! (Mark 4:39)

Jesus is God just like the Father

The idea that Jesus is equal in every way to God the Father may be hard to grasp at first, but it is true. Jesus has all the power, authority and glory the Father does. Jesus is not a lesser God. Somehow the title “Son of God” seems to make Jesus a lesser God in some people’s minds, but this is not the case. I will explain later how the title “Son of God” refers to the state of submission that Jesus entered to save man. Jesus has existed forever. He was not created.

Just like the Father and Holy Spirit, Jesus is an eternal member of the Godhead. Jesus is as worthy of honor and worship as is the Father! (John 5:23) Paul wrote, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form . . . who is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:9,10) In Revelation Jesus said to John, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

Remember, this same John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)

Peter wrote, “He [Jesus] was chosen [as the one who could die for man] before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:20, insertions mine.)

In the Old Testament, Isaiah quotes Jesus saying, “Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together . . . This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:12,13, 16,17)

Near the end of Job’s suffering and distress, Jesus revealed just how little Job and his friends knew about His purposes. Jesus said, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7)

For some readers it may be hard to grasp that it was actually Jesus who said to Abraham, “. . . I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1) When the Jews argued with Jesus about His claim that He was greater than Abraham, Jesus responded, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it [in vision] and was glad.” [The Jews sneered,] “You are not yet fifty years old . . . and you have seen Abraham! ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ “ (John 8:56-58, insertion mine.)

One last point. Old Testament writers were well acquainted with Jesus even though they did not know Him by the name “Jesus.” The writer of Hebrews stated that “He [Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” (Hebrews 11:26, insertion mine.)

How did Moses know Christ before Christ was born? John knew that Jesus had revealed His glory to Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was born. John wrote, “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.” (John 12:41)

How did Isaiah know about Jesus before He was born? When Jesus was upon Earth, notice what He said about Himself by repeating Isaiah’s words: “He [Jesus] replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” (Mark 7:6-8, insertion mine.) When Jesus began to select His disciples, Philip excitedly ran to Nathaniel and said, “. . . We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45)

What do these verses confirm? Jesus lived in Heaven before He was born to Mary. Obviously, He did not go by the name Jesus before His birth, but all the Old Testament prophets knew Him as God Almighty or Jehovah God. (Exodus 6:3) Enoch, Job, Noah, Abraham and Moses even talked with Him. Jesus is fully God and the creative agent of the Godhead. Jesus does so much! He is so much!

Mary Told to Call Him Jesus

Here is a point to consider. The angel instructed Mary to call her child by the name “Jesus.” (Matthew 1:21) In other words, Mary and Joseph could not choose the name of the Messiah. It is my opinion that the loss of this privilege gently imposed Heaven’s higher ownership of this baby boy. In ancient times, the mother usually had the privilege of naming her offspring at birth. (Genesis 29:32-35; 30:6-13; 1 Samuel 4:21)

This privilege was suspended for both Elizabeth and Mary (mothers of John the Baptist and Jesus) because these sons were not to be under the dominion of their respective mothers. Like the prophet Jeremiah, the Holy Spirit set them apart from birth. (Luke 1:15,35; Jeremiah 1:5)

The Bible is very clear that Jesus lived in Heaven before He created the world. Jesus was not called by His earthly name though, until He was born to Mary. It makes sense then that we do not find Jesus called by His earthly name in the Old Testament. Remember, more than 90% of the references to God in the Old Testament are references to the person we now call Jesus! For example, in Gethsemane Jesus prayed to the Father saying: “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (John 17:5)

Clearly, Jesus shared glory with the Father before the world was created. On another occasion, Jesus revealed where He had come from: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:38,39)

On more than one occasion, Jesus told the Pharisees that the Old Testament specifically focused on Him: “And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. [The Father spoke at the baptism of Jesus saying, ‘This is my Son . . .’] You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by [knowing] them you possess eternal life. [But] These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:37-40, insertions mine.)

Remember, the “Scriptures” at the time of Jesus were the books we now call the Old Testament. (Luke 24:27) Jesus’ remarks confirm that the Old Testament is a testimony about Himself.

Progressive Revelation

The truth about Jesus is continually unfolding. In fact, the last book in the Bible is appropriately called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” because it describes how Jesus will be fully revealed to the world at the end of time.

Our knowledge about Jesus is based on progressive revelation. In other words, the revealing of all that Jesus is – has been progressively unfolding over thousands of years. Early prophets did not know as much about Jesus as people who came later. Each succeeding prophet stood on the shoulders of the earlier prophet, providing a more complete picture of Jesus and His work.

Notice one instance of this progression in the Bible: “God [Jesus] also said to Moses, ‘I am the Lord [Jehovah]. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty [El-Shaddai], but by my name the Lord [Jehovah] I did not make myself known to them.’ “ (Exodus 6:2-3, insertions mine.) This text presents a bit of a problem because Abraham and Jacob knew about God’s Hebrew name Jehovah.

Notice these two texts: “And he [Jehovah] said unto him [Abraham], I am the Lord [Jehovah] that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.” (Genesis 15:7, KJV, insertions mine.)

Later, God spoke to Jacob in a vision as he was fleeing from his brother Esau: “And, behold, the Lord [Jehovah] stood above it [the ladder reaching to Earth], and said, I am the Lord [Jehovah] God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed . . .” (Genesis 28:13, insertions mine.) These two texts, as well as Genesis 22:14, indicate that Abraham and Jacob knew of the name Jehovah.

So, what did Jesus mean when He said to Moses, “by my name the Lord [Jehovah] I did not make myself known to them.”

I understand Jesus to mean that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did not understand the meaning of His name Jehovah. In ancient times, Hebrew names were carefully selected to describe character, emotions, or an event at the time of birth. In this sense, although Abraham and Jacob knew the title “Jehovah,” they could not understand that the awesome meaning of the name would not be revealed until the time of the Exodus.

At the time of the Exodus, Jehovah (Jesus) performed a series of astonishing miracles. These miracles established the Hebrews as a nation under His sovereign leadership. Jehovah sent Moses and Aaron to speak to Pharaoh. Jehovah sent ten plagues on Egypt. Jehovah “passed over” Egypt at midnight and killed all the firstborn of Egypt, both man and beast. Jehovah destroyed Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea.

At this time, the Deliverer of Israel began to identify Himself with the Hebrew name Jehovah. Jesus did this so that all nations would know the King of the Jews was Jehovah God. About 1,400 years later, Jehovah was born to Mary and He died on the cross with this title written above His head: “The King of the Jews.” (John 19:19-21)

Sacred Name

Some Christians today insist that Jesus must be called by a Hebrew name such as “Yashua,” “Yehoshua,” “Jehovah,” “Yahweh,” etc. I find these claims to have no merit. From secular history and Bible history, we know that the name “Jesus” was a common Jewish name used at the time of Christ’s birth. (Acts 13:6; Colossians 4:11)

If it is inappropriate to call Jesus by His given name, why was Mary required to give her son the name “Jesus?” The basis for insisting on one sacred name for Jesus stems from Jewish superstition. The Jewish people became so superstitious about God that they refused to speak or even write the names “Yahweh” and “Jehovah.” Actually, one name is no more sacred than any other title or name which God uses. It is God Himself who makes a name and title holy, not a specific name that makes Him holy.

Regardless of the name or title you may find in the Bible to identify Jesus, we should never use any of His names or titles carelessly. (Exodus 20:7). One of the highest and most exalted titles given in the Bible for God is “Father” and Jesus instructs us to address the Ruler of the Universe with the endearing title, “Our Father.” (Matthew 6:9) Furthermore, because “Father” is an exalted title for God, Jesus forbids anyone from calling a clergyman, “Father.” (Matthew 23:9)

So, Who is Jesus?

Jesus is all of the following:

• Jesus is Jehovah God. (Exodus 6:3)
• Jesus is the Lord thy God. (Isaiah 48)
• Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:16)
• Jesus is the Angel of the Lord. (Genesis 22:11-18; Exodus 3:2-6; Judges 2:1-5)
• Jesus is the Creator of Earth. (Exodus 20:8-11; Colossians 1:16; John 1:10; Hebrews 1:1,2)
• Jesus is our Redeemer. (Isaiah 48; Ephesians 1:7)
• Jesus is our Friend. (John 15:13-15)

Jesus said to His disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

Do you think our trust in the Father should be any different from our trust in Jesus?