Probably one of the most important questions humanity has ever asked is this: Who was Jesus? Even secular historians admit that at the very least, he was one of the most impactful people in history. The world changed suddenly and drastically during his life. But the majority of people misunderstand who exactly this impactful character was. Quite often, that’s because the truth of who he was is too earth-shaking and offensive for them.
The truthful answer to that all-important question is this: Jesus is the Son of God, the all-powerful, eternal king of the universe, who dwells in holiness but came down with astounding humility into our filth to save the people he loves from death by humbly, lovingly accepting death himself. Because of that, he reigns now in heaven with glory, holiness, and all authority, and for us he is the sole dividing line between life and death. This is a radical answer indeed! There’s always a worldly fear of understanding Jesus this radically, but chances are, none of our understandings of Jesus are radical enough!
But it indeed is offensive as well, because if Jesus is who the Bible says he is, it changes everything. Understandably, the world doesn’t want a Jesus that changes everything. Some think he was an immoral criminal, but in fact he was the sovereign Lord who invented goodness itself. Some think he was a respectable teacher of mere peace and kindness, but in fact he was a revolutionary who offended people with an infinitely superior kind of love. Some think he was a champion of one political party or the other, but in fact he proclaimed the politics of the kingdom of heaven which transcend all little worldly values. There is no getting around the fact that who Jesus is changes everything about the world and about every human life.
Paul writes the letter to the Philippians to show what the effect of the identity of Jesus should be on Christians. We reflect his example of humility and selfless love for our brothers and sisters in the church; we rest with contentment and hope in the Lord who supplies our every need; and above all, we rejoice, rejoice, and rejoice again. Let us be careful to never downplay Christ’s mighty divinity, his humble humanity, or his beautiful gospel of love and joy. He is far too beautiful to take lightly!
