Turning the page…
Turning the page…
Glory · Jesus Christ
Whatever portrait subtracts from Scripture preaches another Jesus. The crowds had respectful guesses about Jesus, and every one fell short; modern versions repeat the pattern: teacher but not Lord, buddy but not Judge, life coach but not cross bearer, political champion but not King of kings. Each borrows His name while deleting what makes Him able to save. The apostles' portrait is the test: God the Son in flesh, crucified for our sins, risen on the third day, returning to judge and reign.
https://glorystudy.com/questions/which-modern-portraits-preach-another-jesus · Scripture quoted from the World English Bible
Matthew 16:13-28
As you read: The crowd's flattering guesses versus Peter's confession, and how quickly a right confession gets corrected when it resists the cross.
13Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18I also tell you that you are Peter,and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hadeswill not prevail against it.
19I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”
20Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.
21From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
22Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”
23But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
26For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
27For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.
28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
John 8:12-59
As you read: Claims about Himself that force a verdict: forgiving sins, bearing the divine name, dividing everyone who hears.
12Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
13The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”
14Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going.
15You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.
16Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.
17It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid.
18I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
19They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
20Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
21Jesus said therefore again to them, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t come.”
22The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, that he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’?”
23He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.
24I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I amhe, you will die in your sins.”
25They said therefore to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.
26I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”
27They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father.
28Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things.
29He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
30As he spoke these things, many believed in him.
31Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
32You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
33They answered him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’?”
34Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.
35A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever.
36If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
37I know that you are Abraham’s seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.
38I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”
39They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
40But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this.
41You do the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”
42Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me.
43Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word.
44You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father.
45But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me.
46Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
47He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”
48Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”
49Jesus answered, “I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.
50But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.
51Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”
52Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’
53Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”
54Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.
55You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word.
56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”
57The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
58Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”
59Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through their midst, and so passed by.
Philippians 2:1-18
As you read: Paul's summary of who Jesus is and what He did: true deity, real humiliation, death on a cross, exaltation, and universal confession of Jesus as Lord.
1If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
2make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
3doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
4each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
5Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
6who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
8And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.
9Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
14Do all things without murmurings and disputes,
15that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
16holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.
17Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.
18In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.
Revelation 1:9-20
As you read: No tame portrait here: the glorified Jesus, first and last, alive forever, holding the keys of Death and Hades.
9I John, your brother and partner with you in oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet
11saying, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
12I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands.
13And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.
14His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
15His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters.
16He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
17When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last,
18and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.
19Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter;
20the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands. The seven stars are the angelsof the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.
Paul saw it coming: people would pile up teachers who scratch where they itch, gathering speakers “after their own lusts” instead of enduring truth. It happened even in person. When Jesus asked who people said He was, the answers were respectful and all wrong: “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” A portrait drawn to flatter the age is an idol wearing familiar clothes. The question that never expires is the one Jesus asked next: “But who do you say that I am?”
“For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;”2 Timothy 4:3
“They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.””Matthew 16:14
“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?””Matthew 16:15
Modern taste prefers Jesus as wise moral instructor, nothing more. But the Jesus of history forgave sins as God's own prerogative: seeing a paralytic, He said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” When objectors demanded, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”, He answered by asserting that “the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Later He declared, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.” His hearers understood exactly what was claimed and reached for stones, saying, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God.” A portrait that keeps the ethics but deletes the identity keeps something Jesus never offered.
“Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.””Mark 2:5
““Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?””Mark 2:7
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—”Mark 2:10
“Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.””John 8:58
“The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God.””John 10:33
Another popular portrait approves everything and confronts nothing. Jesus was merciful: to the woman dragged before Him He said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.” But mercy came with a command, and He warned hearers that unless they believed who He is, they would die in their sins. The same Lord appeared to John in glory and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, and the Living one.” Scripture assigns Him the judgment seat: “he has given all judgment to the Son,” and before Him “all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another.” A Jesus with no judgment to give is not the Jesus who saves from it.
“She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.””John 8:11
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.”Revelation 1:17-18
“For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,”John 5:22
““But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”Matthew 25:31-32
The prosperity version of Jesus exists to upgrade your circumstances; the self-help version offers principles for a better you. The real One offered a cross: “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Then came the question no brand manager would approve: “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?” He owned no bed, telling an eager follower that “the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” And His route to blessing ran through poverty for our sake: “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.” A Jesus who exists to serve your goals is a mirror, not a Master.
“He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”Mark 8:34
“For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?”Mark 8:36
“Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.””Luke 9:58
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.”2 Corinthians 8:9
Every era tries to draft Jesus into its cause, from the left or from the right. Galilee tried it first: perceiving the crowd meant to seize Him “to make him king”, He withdrew alone. Before Pilate He explained why: “My Kingdom is not of this world.” His model of greatness was not seizing power but serving under it, and His mission statement was substitution: “the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He will reign openly one day under the name “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS,” but on His terms and timetable, not ours. A Jesus enlisted in our platform is another Jesus; the real One recruits us into His.
“Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.”John 6:15
“Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.””John 18:36
“For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””Mark 10:45
“He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.””Revelation 19:16
How do you tell a counterfeit from the real thing? Hold every portrait against what the eyewitnesses handed down: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” He was buried, and He was “raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” In Him risen and bodily, “all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,” and Thomas's conclusion stands as the church's confession: “My Lord and my God!” Any portrait that carries these marks, however dimly understood, points at the real Jesus and can grow. Any that subtracts them, however sincerely held, is exactly the substitute Paul feared, one we too easily “put up with ... well enough.”
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,”Colossians 2:9
“Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!””John 20:28
“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different “good news”, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough.”2 Corinthians 11:4