The inspired Scriptures reveal many things about Jesus that make Him extra special to us. Let’s look at a few of these.

Jesus is Deity. He is equal to the Father. Paul wrote of him, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Phil. 2:6). John had earlier declared, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2). A few verses later, John identifies the Word as the one who “was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (vs. 14). And just like the Father, He is the great “I am” (Exod. 3:14; John 8:58).

Jesus is also the Son of God. In fact, He is “the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16; John 1:14; I John 4:9). At His baptism and at His transfiguration God spoke from heaven and acknowledged Him as His Son, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17; 17:5). Paul said of Him, “Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:3-4). “Son” is the “more excellent name he by inheritance obtained,” making Him superior to the angels (Heb. 1:4).

Jesus is the propitiation. He is the appeasing factor in our salvation. Paul, speaking of this, writes of Jesus, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Rom. 3:25). Only by means of this propitiation can God “be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). This is made available to all because, “He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:2). See also I John 4:10. In fact we are told that, “We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9).

Jesus is our Redeemer. Peter tells us that we are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without spot and blemish” (I Pet. 1:18-19). Later in this epistle he writes of Him, “Who his own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (I Pet. 2:24). He came “to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). Jesus willingly gave His life for us. He said, “Therefore doth My Father love Me because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No many taketh it from me, but I lay it down of Myself” (John 10:17-18a). Truly He is our Redeemer. We can say with Job, “I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25).

Jesus is our Saviour. His name declares this. Joseph was told by the angel, “and she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). And it was the “angel of the Lord” that appeared to the shepherds, and said unto them, “Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:9-11). Jesus informed Zacchaeus that “This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke19:9-10).

Jesus is deity, the only begotten Son of the Father, the propitiation for our sins, our redeemer and Saviour. Have you been baptized into Him for the remission of sins, in order that you can profit from His being these things? (Gal. 3:27; Acts 2:38).

Paul M. Wilmoth