“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matt 13:45

Jesus’s Identity Revealed (In Two Questions) 1) Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 2) Who do you say that I am? 1) Thou art the Christ 2) Thou art the Son of the living God

Question of Identity 1) Jesus is the Christ 2) Jesus is the Son of God 3) Jesus is the Son of Man

The Son of Man Jesus title for Himself (Messianic title) 88 x’s in the N.T. (only 4 x’s outside the gospels) Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 7:13-14 “I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.” “And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve Him.” “His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.”

The Son of Man Jesus title for Himself (Messianic title) 88 x’s in the N.T. (only 4 x’s outside the gospels) Daniel 7:13-14 John 5:25-27

John 5:25-27 “Truly, truly, I say to you, and hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live.” “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave life to the Son also to have life in Himself;” “… and gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.”

The Son of Man Jesus title for Himself (Messianic title) 88 x’s in the N.T. (only 4 x’s outside the gospels) Daniel 7:13-14 John 5:25-27 The Son of Man is the Son of God This title speaks to His identity with God, man and the Messiah (Christ)

What is the Incarnation? “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, …” John 1:1,14 Incarnation = the act of being made flesh

What is the Incarnation? “For in Him (Jesus) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” Col 2:9

The Incarnation How was He Incarnated? Luke 1:26-38 & Matthew 1:18-25 How shall this be since I am a virgin? (1:34) The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God (1:35) Mary was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit (1:18) that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit (1:20) Immanuel = God with Us (1:23)

The Incarnation Why was He Incarnated? 1) Put God on exhibition (revealed His glory to us) “… the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, …” John 1:14 “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He (Jesus) has explained Him.” John 1:18

The Incarnation Why was He Incarnated? 1) Put God on exhibition (revealed His glory to us) “And He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, …” Col 1:15 “And He (Jesus) is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His (God) nature, …” Heb 1:3

The Incarnation Why was He Incarnated? 1) Put God on exhibition (revealed His glory to us) “Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’” “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?’” “He who has seen Me has seen the Father; …” John 14:8-9

The Incarnation Why was He Incarnated? 2) Transform our lives (revealed His glory in us) “But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” II Cor 3:18

The Incarnation Why was He Incarnated? 3) Provide a sacrifice for sin (glorify His Father in heaven) “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ” (John 1:29) “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately.” (John 13:31-32)

The Incarnation Why was He Incarnated? 4) Establish a new entity (reveal His glory through us) “… upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. ” (Matt 16:18) “… to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Eph 3:21)

The Transfiguration (Matt 17:1-8) 1) He was transfigured before them (metamorphosed) His face shown like the sun His garments became as white as light 2) Moses & Elijah appeared to them (talking w/Jesus) Moses represented the Law Elijah represented the Prophets 3) A bright cloud overshadowed them A voice came out of the cloud This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!