Lesson No. 45 

Lesson No. 45 Jesus Christ the Divine Redeemer

Outline: The biblical passages cited at the beginning of this topic will allow us to understand why it was necessary to replace the means of redemption through animal sacrifices with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Divine Redeemer.

- Other aspects that we will consider in relation to our Christological study are the following:

- How the Son of God was introduced into the world.

- Characteristics of his divine nature and his human nature.

- Being holy, clean, pure, and without blemish, Jesus Christ bore the burden of our sins.

- Through Him, we can attain eternal life.

Jesus Christ the Divine Redeemer: On this occasion, we once again resume the study of Christology, but in this case to consider the activities of Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of humanity.

After the topic developed under the title: “The Foundation of the Christian Faith,” according to lesson number 7, this is the next aspect included in the principles of that precious faith, which we will address in this treatise. Do not forget that the means of redemption through the sacrifice of animals was only a prototype of the sacrifice of the Messiah, something temporary, until the appropriate time for the manifestation of the Son of God arrived, whose sacrifice includes the remission of all sins, not only of the members of God's people but also of all human beings who want to be part of said people to be saved. For He died instead of the guilty without exception of persons. Regarding this, let's consider what the following passage says:

Hebrews chapter 10: verses 1 to 6 and 9 to 14: “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified”.51 See also, John chapter 3: verse 16; chapter 4: verses 41 and 42; and chapter 6: verses 48 to 51.51

Section a): Let's now see how the Son of God was introduced into the world. The evangelist Luke, a faithful follower of the teachings of the Messiah and a passionate Christian missionary, evidently, far from the historical effects of pagan influence in the Church, relates, according to his research-based account of the facts, the origin of the events related to Christ’s birth. In his narrative, he explains: And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke chapter 1: verses 26 to 35).51

A curious fact concerning this passage will be found by the student in the topic titled:

The event narrated in the next biblical passage evidences the fulfillment of the angel's words to Mary [Miriam]:

Luke chapter 2: verses 8 to 11: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”.51

Thus, the preexistent Son came to be part of the human race, resulting in a union of divine nature with human nature, giving rise to a new absolute order of life in Him: a Theanthropic Being (divine human).

Section b): These characteristics of His nature were fundamental in Him who was to be the Redeemer of humanity. For had He not participated in human nature, it would not have been possible for Him to redeem humanity from the guilt of sin because it was essential for Him to die, shedding His blood for it.

If His nature had been solely divine, He could not have died due to its characteristics, for it is spiritual and therefore immortal. However, thanks to His divine nature, He could redeem humanity, being sinless Himself, thus being able to carry out His own resurrection, as He expressed in John chapter 10: verses 17 and 18, saying: Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.51

The characteristic of His human nature also enabled the Messiah to personally experience the sad condition of humanity so that He could sympathize with everyone. Regarding this, let us consider what the Holy Scriptures tell us:

Hebrews chapter 2: verses 16 to 18: “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Wherefore 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. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted”.51

Hebrews chapter 4: verses 15 and 16: “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. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”.51

Logically, the fact that He can be exercising this activity with perfect dignity with the Father requires both His divine and human nature.

Section c): Jesus Christ was holy, without guilt and without blemishes, yet God laid on Him the guilt of the sin of all humanity. Regarding this, let’s see what the following biblical passages say:

Hebrews chapter 7: verse 26: “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens”.51

Now, let's see what Isaiah declares in his prophetic allusion about the Suffering Messiah: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah chapter 53: verses 5 and 6).51

Section d): In this way, supported by such a manifestation of God's grace, everyone who believes in Jesus Christ and accepts Him as their Savior, acknowledging such work of love and redemption through a new life separated from sin, will attain eternal life. Let's consider what the following biblical citations tell us:

John chapter 3: verses 16, 17, and 36: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”.51

John chapter 10: verses 27 and 28: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand”.51

John chapter 17: verses 1 and 2: “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him”.51

Regarding the subject, the apostle Paul states in his epistle to the Romans, according to Romans chapter 6: verse 23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.51

The apostle John also tells us: And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (First John chapter 5: verses 11, 13, and 20).51

Similarly, the apostle Jude, according to Jude verse 21, tells us: Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.51

Among the themes that we will study in chapters 9 and 10 of this treatise is the idea explicitly and clearly expressed about how to believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Savior, as well as the other steps and codes of conduct that we must follow as a complement to the divine demands for holiness, which is one of the fundamental factors included in the salvation process, through which we can attain eternal life.

Furthermore, I want to inform the students that these two topics covered in this chapter: the temporary means of redemption and redemption through Jesus Christ constitute the fundamental basis of the theological concept of the Old and New Covenants, a matter which we will consider in detail in chapter 8 of this treatise.