MIND OF CHRIST MINISTRIES, INC.
PASTOR THOMAS E. OGLESBY
P.O. BOX 85
NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY 07028
Website: mindofchristministries.net
Phone: 973-818-2750
e-mail:mindofchrist@verizon.net
October 2021
“Who is Jesus?” Part 2
Dear Believer(s):
We continue this month’s message, “Who is Jesus?” We covered “Who Is Jesus?” Part1 in our September ministry letter.
Jesus was sinless, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Corinthians 5:21)
Though Jesus was tempted to sin many times, He never committed sin. His enemies tried to trap Him and cause Him to sin, but they were not successful. Jesus was the only perfect man who ever lived.
He was without sin. Pilate examined Christ carefully and pronounced Him totally innocent (John 19:4).
Peter, who walked with the Lord daily and knew Him intimately, said He was without guile or evil (1Peter 2:22). Paul said, He who knew no sin was made sin for us (2Corinthians 5:21). Even Christ’s enemies could not point an accusing finger at His life (John 8:46).
He was the perfect sacrifice. Under divine law, sacrifices for sin had to be perfect. Thus, Jesus had to be without sin. He qualified as the ultimate sacrifice to take away the sins of the world. And He was that (1Peter 1:19).
His sinless life helps us in two ways. First, He shows us how we can live above sin (1Peter 2:21). The second way His sinless life helps us, is how He understands the terrible pull of temptations, and our need of divine help. He walked the same paths as we must and feels deeply for us (Hebrews 4:15). Thus, Jesus is able to comfort us in our temptations (Hebrews 2:18).
Because Jesus understands our temptations, He has promised rich rewards to us as we overcome (James 1:12). We would be wise to use the same pattern Jesus used in overcoming His wilderness temptations. Note He quoted the Word of God (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).
He performed miracles (Hebrews 2:3, 4). Beginning at Cana of Galilee, Jesus performed at least 35 recorded miracles. However, John implies there were many other miracles that were not recorded (John 21:25). All these miracles were performed to prove to man that Jesus was and is the Christ. He never performed miracles just to show off His power, but to bless and help needy mankind. They show His complete power over nature, sickness, death, and evil spirits, (John 2:7-11); (Luke 5:4-9); (John 21:4-6); (Matthew 8:23-26); (Matthew 14:15-21); (Matthew 15:32-38); (Matthew 17:24-27).
Jesus had His power over sickness, most miracles Jesus performed involved the healing of sick people. These healings covered such varied illnesses as blindness, leprosy, palsy, deafness, and dumbness (Matthew 8:2, 3); (Matthew 12:9-13), (Matthew 15:29-31); (Matthew 12:9-13); (Mark 8:22-25); (Luke 5:18-25).
Christ’s power of healing knew no distance or barrier (Luke 7:2-10). He could heal the masses as well as, individually (Luke 17:11-14).
Christ has power over any kind of disease or accident. He had power over death. Three times Jesus proved his power was greater than death. The first was the widow’s son of Nain (Luke 7:11-15). Another incident involved the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:41, 42, 49-55). The Third incident involved His friend Lazarus (John 11:38-44). These individuals died again later. However, Jesus proved himself total victor over death, hell, and the grave, by His own resurrection (1Corinthians 15:20).
He had power over evil spirits. He who is all powerful has total control over all evil spirits, whether they manifest themselves in insanity (Matthew 8:28-33), whether they manifest in seizures (Matthew 17:14-16, 18), or muteness (Matthew 9:32, 33).
Jesus Christ’s vicarious and atoning death (1Peter 2:24). Jesus suffered on the cross and died in our place. Thus, His death was vicarious in that it was in the place of others. It pictures one throwing his body over another to take the punishment in himself. Jesus did this for lost men and women. On the cross He endured in Himself the whole of God’s wrath against sin. His death was voluntary, no man took His life from Him, and He gave it freely (John 10:17, 18).
John the Baptist testifies of this Lamb who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Paul says Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6). Where the Law failed to free us from sin and death, Jesus succeeded (Romans 8:3). Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for us (1Timothy 2:5, 6). Jesus gave Himself for us that we might be His people (Titus 2:14). Jesus made the one and eternal sacrifice that is good for all eternity (Hebrews 7:27).
His Bodily resurrection (John 14:19), if Jesus would not have risen from the grave by the power of God, He would have just died a martyr’s death. However, because He came forth victorious from the grave, He has become the Saviour.
All four Gospels tell of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The entire New Testament proclaims it. The resurrection proves the deity of Christ and makes His death meaningful and effective. It assures believers of Christ’s daily companionship and is the guarantee of the believer’s own resurrection.
Who is Jesus? “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Jesus is God whose Spirit is manifested in us to do the complete will of the Father. Who is Jesus? We are, and can be the Jesus that others see today, especially the sinner or the ungodly. Because the Spirit of Jesus lives in all of God’s true children, we allow the Spirit of Jesus to live and operate in us. We are the only Jesus that the world will see today. God manifested His love, power, peace, joy, and forgiveness through the Gifts of the Spirit, and the Fruit of the Spirit, in and through us as we live daily for Him.
Who is Jesus? It’s the love of God that the Spirit of Jesus manifests in us. That’s who Jesus is!
As we continue to face all problems and uncertainties of this year, let us rejoice and be glad for what God our Saviour has done for us. Yes, we have endured many trials in different areas of our lives. But we still have a God who loves us. Even in the midst of our hurts, and disappointments, we must lift our voices to give thanks. Why? Because God is still able to bless us when we faithfully continue to serve and worship Him. Do not give up! Continue to petition God for your desperate needs. God will answer. Mail or e-mail me with your prayer needs. I will spend time in prayer for your needs.
Let us pray; “Dear God we pray that men and women the world over will come to spiritually know who Jesus is. Jesus is love. He is our Saviour. He wants us to live a life where we have total victory in Him. We thank you God for Jesus. May He live in the hearts of all men. We pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Amen!”
Your financial support enables me to continue with the precious work of the Father. Thank you so much for your help. I pray that God will bless you abundantly.
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With God’s Abundant Blessings,
Thomas Oglesby
Pastor Thomas Oglesby
