Jesus of Nazareth: The Perfect Man

Hello To All:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us..." With these words from John, chapter one and verses one and fourteen, the apostle John, introduces Jesus of Nazareth, to the world. I am very intentional in identifying Jesus, who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God; who is the "Word," that "was made flesh and dwelt among us," as: Jesus of Nazareth. I am this way, because the King's Book is this way. Please join me, in a short journey through the written Word of God.

1. (Matthew 21:10-11): "And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."
2. (Mark 1:23-24): "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God."
3. (Mark 10:47): "And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me."
4. (Luke 24:19): "And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people."
5. (Mark 14:67): "And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth."
6. (Mark 16:6): "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

In the above examples, various entities are identifying the "Word made flesh," as Jesus of Nazareth. They include: 1: The multitude. 2: The unclean spirit. 3: Blind Bartimaeus (see verse 46). 4: The two disciples on the road to Emmaus (verse 13 and following). 5: One of maids of the high priest (see verse 66). 6: The angle in the empty tomb (see verse 5). There should be no doubt, in our minds, that the "Word made flesh," was identified and known, in His Humanity and His Divinity, as: "Jesus of Nazareth."

Now, the question needs to be asked and answered: Why was and is the "Word made flesh," identified as: Jesus of Nazareth? The answer is a simple one: Nazareth, in accordance with and fulfillment of the scriptures, was His home. Nazareth was the city that was tied to His "flesh" identity. Consider the following texts: 1. (Matthew 2:23): "And he (Joseph, along with Mary and Jesus: see verse 19 and following) came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." 2. (Luke 2:39 and 51-52) "And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth....And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

But, it was not just during the time prior to His crucifixion and resurrection, that He was known as Jesus of Nazareth. After His ascension, that title referencing His home and His humanity, continued to be used. Consider these texts, from the Acts of the Apostle's:

1. (Acts 2:22): "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know." Taken from Peter's first sermon on the day of Pentecost.
2. (Acts 4:10): "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole." Taken from Peter's testimony regarding the healing of the lame man at the gate Beautiful.
3. (Acts 22:8): "And I answered, Who art thou, Lord: And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest." Taken from Paul's testimony regarding his encounter with the risen Lord Jesus Christ, on the road to Damascus.

When the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, was announced to the shepherds, we find reference both to His humanity and His divinity. It is recorded at Luke 2:11: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." His birth announcement as both newborn human and Christ the Lord takes us to the heart of God's plan for the redemption of all of humanity. Can we say thank you Jesus of Nazareth.

God's plan for the redemption of humanity, required an eternally perfect human sacrifice. The first Adam sinned and sin and death entered the world. The image of God (please see two previous essays, titled: "The spirit of Adam - The image of God" and "What is the image of God"), that Adam was, was lost in Adam's sin; that image is now found in the person of Jesus of Nazareth: the perfect man! Consider these texts from the King's Book:

1. (Hebrews 2:9) "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
2. (Hebrews 2:14-18) "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage; For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."
3. (Hebrews 4:14-16) "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Let us look closer at the progression of revelation from the above texts: "But we see Jesus - should taste death for every man - that through death he might destroy -the power of death - and deliver them - who...were all their lifetime subject to bondage - he took on him the seed of Abraham - it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren - to make reconciliation for the sins of the people - in that he himself hath suffered being tempted - he is able to succour them that are tempted - we have a great high priest - Jesus the Son of God - we have...an high priest - tempted like as we are - yet without sin."

We have, my beloved: Jesus of Nazareth - Who is the Christ - The Son of the Living God - The Perfect Man - The Image of God!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus