Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

The Center and Circumference: Christianity Is Jesus Christ (continued)

thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

B. Jesus is the exact representation (exact imprint of his nature) of God in human form, Heb. 1.1-4 (ESV) - Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, [4] having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. C. Jesus is the Word made flesh, the revelator of the splendor and beauty of God. John 1.14 (ESV) - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1.18 (ESV) - No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

D. The person of Jesus is the full and unadulterated picture of the character and beauty of the Father God whom we love and worship. We know God through him.

Many are content to possess a shallow and familiar knowledge of the person of Jesus, neither recognizing nor reveling in the mystery of the meaning of “Christ in you, the hope of Glory.” During the children’s sermon the Assistant Pastor asked the kids, “What is gray, has a bushy tail and gathers nuts in the fall?” One five year old raised his hand. “I know the answer should be Jesus,” he began, “but it sounds like a squirrel to me” ( Reader’s Digest ).