Who is the Lord Jesus Christ Christ is

Who is the Lord Jesus Christ? Christ is Our Life Saint Paul says, “For to me, to live is Christ” (Philippians 1: 21) Regarding “Wisdom” (the Logos, the Second Hypostasis of the Holy Trinity), the Book of Proverbs says, “For whoever finds me finds life” (Proverbs 8: 35) Our Lord Himself says, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11: 25) Lesson taken from material at www. mahragan. ca + slides available at www. copticservants. net

Who is the Lord Jesus Christ? Christ Is Our Life “For to me, to live is Christ” (Philippians 1: 21) “For whoever finds me finds life” (Proverbs 8: 35) 1. He is a Person (Hypostasis) of the Holy Trinity 2. He is God the Creator 3. He is God Incarnate 4. He is the Good Teacher 5. He is the Good Shepherd 6. He is the Redeemer 7. He resurrected from the dead for our sake 8. He ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us 9. He is the head and the Bridegroom of the Church 10. He will bring us up to His Kingdom to enjoy everlasting life.

Christ is Our Life Christ is a Person (Hypostasis) of the Holy Trinity • We believe in One God • God is Unlimited – If we suppose there was more than one god, – Each one would be limited by the existence of the other – There can be no more than one who is unlimited • Our God is Unlimited and Infinite They are three in one, 1 x 1 = 1 God (Essence) and 1 + 1 = 3 (Hypostasis), The Holy Trinity. • Analogy of “the sun” – The sun = light + fire + heat – Light + fire + heat = One sun – If the sun loses its light or fire or heat, it loses its identity as a sun.

The Term Hypostasis �The Three Hypostasis have ONE ESSENCE �The Three are One God �The Three are the One Creator �The Three are the One dwelling in us �Each Hypostasis has a DISTINCT ROLE / FUNCTION �The Hypostasis of the Father �The Hypostasis of the Son �The Hypostasis of the Holy Spirit �God is One Godhead, with one nature & one essence �God is Three distinct yet inseparable

Analogies �Water �Three forms (solid ice, liquid water, gaseous vapour) �Yet one nature, one chemical composition (H 2 O) �Sun �Light, fire and heat �Yet remains one sun �Human Being BOD Y �Composed of BODY, SOUL, and SPIRIT SOUL (Mind, Will, �Yet remain as a single human being �Candle �Light, flame, heat �Yet a single candle Emotions) SPIRIT

Christ is Our Life Christ is a Person (Hypostasis) of the Holy Trinity • We believe in One God, Unlimited and Infinite 1 x 1 = 1 God (Essence, Nature) 1 + 1 = 3 (Persons, Hypostasis) The Holy Trinity • God the Father is the first person of the Trinity • God the Son is begotten from the Father – as light comes forth from the fire – as the word comes from the mind • God the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father

Christ is Our Life Christ is God the Creator • God the Father created the universe … through the power of His Word and His Holy Spirit. • Man is composed of a body, a soul, and a spirit – The body differs from the soul, differs from the spirit – However, we say that man is one being • The Father and His Word and His Spirit are one God “I and My Father are one. ” (John 10: 30)

Christ is Our Life Christ is God the Creator • The Book of Proverbs speaks concerning the Logos: “I, wisdom, … I have been established from everlasting, … From the beginning, before there was ever an earth … Then I was beside Him (The Father) as a master craftsman. ” (Proverbs 8: 12, 23, 30) • The Holy Trinity worked together in the creation: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ” (Genesis 1: 1 -3)

Christ is Our Life Christ is the Incarnated God • Isaiah prophesied about the birth of Christ “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7: 14) • He is a little boy who would become a man, at the same time, He is the almighty and eternal God. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David” (Isaiah 9: 6 -7) • He resembled us in everything except sin.

Christ is Our Life Christ is the Incarnated God • Jesus has two births: i. ii. • • • An eternal and omnipotent birth because He was “begotten from the Father before all ages” His birth from Saint Mary the virgin, in the fullness of time, in the mystery of incarnation (without human father) God revealed Himself in the OT in different ways … The Son appeared as a man (before His incarnation) to Abraham (Genesis 18), Jacob (Genesis 32), Joshua (Joshua 5), Gideon (Judges 6), Daniel (Daniel 10) The angels announced the birth of the savior, the Son of God, “Therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ” (Luke 1: 35)

Christ is Our Life Christ is the Good Teacher • Jesus is the greatest teacher that ever lived. • He is the only One who is Holy and without sin. • He is a perfect man, with the full human nature; He is the Holy God, having the full divine nature. – The 2 natures are united in one unique nature – Analogy: the unity of the soul & body (2 natures) into one human nature • When Jesus, the Good Teacher taught, all the people were amazed at His teaching.

Christ is Our Life Christ is the Good Teacher • All were amazed at the teaching of Jesus. • Jesus taught us everything we need to know to – Live a good life here (on earth), and – Prepare for everlasting life (in heaven). • Jesus gave us: – The Sermon on the Mountain (Matthew 5 -7) – The Parables – Amazing Teachings in the Gospels • He teaches & leads by example … “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5: 34)

Christ is Our Life Christ is the Good Shepherd “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ” (John 10: 11) • Jesus is the Good Shepherd who takes care of His children with all love and kindness • He found us as sheep without a shepherd • He heals our sicknesses and binds our wounds • He has compassion on us • To the young man who was deaf and mute – “He said to him, “Ephphatha, ” that is, “Be opened. ” (Mark 7: 34) – Immediately his ears were opened, and he spoke plainly. • At Lazarus’s tomb, he wept with compassion • Even to Judas (who betrayed Him), he says with compassion: – “Friend why have you come? ” (Matthew 26: 50)

Christ is Our Life Christ is the Good Shepherd “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ” (John 10: 11) • He is the Good Shepherd through: – His love – His teaching – His kindness • He takes care of us every day from sunrise to sunset • He makes His sun shine on the righteous and sinners • He does not wish the death of the sinner, … but to repent and live.

Christ is Our Life Christ is the Redeemer “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s live for his friends” (John 15: 13) • Our Lord redeemed us on the cross. • By His redemption, He solved 2 problems: 1. The sentence of death that came upon us because of our sins. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6: 23) 2. The human nature was corrupted by the original sin which was transmitted to all humanity. • On the cross, Jesus died on our behalf (instead of me, instead of you, instead of all humanity)

Christ is Our Life Christ is the Redeemer “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s live for his friends” (John 15: 13) On the cross, Jesus died on our behalf, and … 1. He took the sentence of death from us v Saint Peter writes, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2: 24) v Saint Paul writes, “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. ” (Romans 5: 18) v Saint Athanasius the Apostolic said that He died instead of us. 2. He cleansed us by His Holy Spirit and His precious blood v Saint John the Evangelist said, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1: 7)

Christ is Our Life Christ is the Redeemer • Saint Paul considered that Christ was crucified for him personally. “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2: 20) • Take advantage of the blood of Christ which was shed for us, make a personal relationship with Him through v prayers v reading the Bible v partaking in the Holy Communion

Christ is Our Life Christ resurrected for our sake Ekhristos Anesti Alithos Anesti • Christ descended into Hades through the cross, and by this saved Adam and his seed. • He raised Himself without the help of anyone. • He resurrected with a luminous body, NOT like Lazarus who resurrected with an earthly body (and died again). • He resurrected forever and will never die again. This is unlike all who were raised from the dead (then died again). • Like Him, we too will resurrect with a glorious body, and we will live with Him forever.

Christ is Our Life Christ resurrected for our sake Ekhristos Anesti Alithos Anesti • • • “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15: 42) “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -14) “Who will transform our lowly body that is may be conformed to His glorious body, according o the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3: 21)

Christ is Our Life Christ ascended into Heaven to precede us “I go to prepare a place for you. ” (John 14: 3) • He ascended into heaven with His glorious Body. • His Divinity parted not from His humanity, but they were united forever. • In His second coming, as Saint Paul explains, Christians who have died (rested) will receive a resurrection body (incorruptible) and those still alive will be changed to receive a glorious body.

Christ is Our Life Christ ascended into Heaven to precede us “I go to prepare a place for you. ” (John 14: 3) Importance of the Ascension 1. With Christ, man’s nature also ascends. 2. Christ ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to the world. 3. Christ is forever present before the Father to intercede on our behalf. 4. The Ascension is an indication of the Second Coming. Christ will return to earth in the same manner as He left it.

Backup (Review)

The Gentile NATIONS bleeding for 12 years Mark 5: 21 -34

The Gentile NATIONS Healed • This woman represents the Gentile NATIONS • The nations have been bleeding for 12 years (12 years here represents the entire Old Testament era) • They have suffered many things at the hands of the so-called physicians (gentile religions) • They had spent all they had (on heathen religions & strange philosophies), but were not getting better, and were getting worse • Finally, the Gentile NATIONS heard about Jesus • They were too ashamed to ask for healing • They were content to just touch the edge of His garment • They had faith, that even this touch would heal them • BTW, they touched Saint Paul, the edge of Jesus’ garment • Just this touch, combined with their FAITH, gave them HEALING • Like the blessed woman, the faithful nations hear the compassionate words of our loving savior saying • Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction. (Mark 5: 34)

The Jewish NATION dead after 12 years Mark 5: 35 -43

The Jewish NATION Raised • • • The young girl represents the Jewish NATION The Jews had been alive for 12 years (throughout the Old Testament era) In the beginning, they had been ALIVE as Abraham had FAITH & WORKS At the end of the Old Testament, they were about to die, just like the girl Because they began to depend on WORKS without FAITH, they died Because of their reliance on the LETTER of the LAW (blindly following laws, customs; without paying attention to the SPIRIT of the LAW), they died But there is HOPE The same SAVIOUR who came to save the WORLD (the bleeding NATIONS) This same SAVIOUR also came to give LIFE to the Jewish NATION To raise the daughter of Jairus, Jesus brings with Him 3 disciples – Peter (represents solid FAITH) – James (represents WORKS) – John (represnts LOVE) • Like Jesus calls the Gentiles, “Daughter”, The Lord Jesus calls the Jews, “Talitha cumi” … • “Little girl, I say to you, arise. ” (Mark 5: 41)

Our Loving SAVIOUR saves ALL • Gentile NATIONS • Bleeding for 12 years • And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction. ” • Jewish NATION • Dead after 12 years • He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi, ” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise. ”

Always go to Our Lord Jesus, the True Physician, our True Healer, the Help of those who have no helper, the Hope of those who have no hope, the Comfort of the faint-hearted, the Harbor of those in the storm. “All souls that are distressed or bound, grant them mercy, O Lord. Grant them rest, grant them refreshment, grant them grace, grant them help. Grant them salvation, grant them forgiveness of their sins and their iniquities. As for us, O Lord, the maladies of our souls do heal. And those of our bodies too, O Lord do cure, you the true physician of our souls and our bodies, the bishop of all flesh, visit us with your salvation. ”