Examining the four-phase progressive revelation of the Messiah.

There is a figure of a man who stands against the backdrop of human history, a man whose imprint on civilization dwarfs that of any and all emperors, prophets, sages and philosophers. He is the God-Man, in whom all fullness dwells. This man has been given many names, but we shall call Him the name which the angel Gabriel instructed the young virgin Mary to give her son–Jesus. Jesus of Nazareth.

It was a common name given to Jewish boys in 1st century Judea and Galilee. “Yeshua”–God is Salvation! But this time, the name would not only be a statement of hope; a harbinger of the promised future salvation–this Jesus, would actually bear the full weight and implication of the name’s meaning. This Jesus was himself salvation. He was given a name, which is above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee will someday bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

It has occurred to me that there seems to be a direct correlation between these “phases of revelation” of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament and the extent to which humanity believes and follows Him. As the fullness of  Christ becomes progressively revealed to our understanding, the road begins to narrow…and the thronging crowds begin to thin.

1. Rejoicing in a harmless baby Prince who brings peace to the earth– yeah, we’re all in! 
2. Appreciating some hand-picked teachings of the Good Teacher and applying them to our lives– even pagan religions incorporate Him into their belief systems. Accepting that He was crucified for our sins? This is a whole different matter indeed, but still, many are willing to embrace Him.
3. Believing and confessing that Jesus was bodily raised from the dead– now, the ‘enlightened’ materialist scoffs and turns away.  The Man who appeared through closed doors to his disciples to assign them with delivering Good News to the nations- the cultured critic sneers.
4. Regarding the ascended Lord, who disappeared from His disciples’ view and now sits in stunning glory at the right hand of the Most High; the same Jesus who will return, saddled and ready, with sword in hand and fire in his eyes to judge the earth– now even more shrink away from that startling, all-encompassing vision of the Christ. 

Yet, it is important that any seeker of truth recognize that it is impossible to truly accept any one of these “phases” of Christ’s revelation without accepting the whole. And likewise, rejecting the one, they have rejected Him totally.

Jesus Christ is not some modular genie who can be reimagined and rearranged to fit our own perceived notions and whims. The swaddled baby in the manger is indeed the enthroned and returning King. The teacher, the servant, the healer, the crucified one is indeed the same One who burst the bands of death and became the first fruits of all those who have slept.

Which Jesus do you worship? It is, of course, a rhetorical question. There is but one Jesus Christ. In Him and through Him, all things consist. The “four phases” which I find in the scriptures are progressive, cumulative layers revealed to our feeble time-constrained, earth-bound intellects. He was. He Is. He will always be.

We shall now delve into these four “phases” of Christ’s revelation under the following titles: The Holy Child, the Suffering Servant, The Resurrected Lord, the Returning King.

Coming soon is the first installment in this series.