-THE LIFE OF CHRIST - Introduction
-When Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephesus, He made reference to the great privilege that had
been afforded Him of preaching “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8, KJV). He also
made reference to “the love of Christ which passeth knowledge” (Eph 3:19).
-Thanks to Jesus, we have the opportunity to receive the grace and mercy of God; therefore, the
forgiveness of our sins. Jesus is not only at the heart of the scriptures, He is the heart of the
scriptures. When one considers the grand themes of God’s word – love, grace, mercy,
forgiveness, redemption, justification, reconciliation, atonement, adoption, peace, assurance,
confidence, hope, salvation, etc. – Jesus is there. If Jesus was removed from God’s masterful
plan of redemption, every one of these grand themes would become mere apparitions and we
would be lost now and doomed for all eternity.
-Indeed, a study on the life of Christ is one of great benefit! As one studies the life of Christ,
he/she cannot help but grow in love and admiration of our Saviour and the Father who sent Him.
As we come to a greater knowledge and understanding of how much Jesus endured and gave for
us, we will be better motivated to give and endure more for Him.
-Matt 11:28-30 (vs 29 – “learn of me”)
-2 Pet 3:18
-It is through studying the scriptures that we learn more of Jesus – John 5:39. It is in the
scriptures that we find the life of Christ revealed to us – His perfect example, His words, His
actions, His sacrifice on the cross for us, His teachings that we are to follow (2 John 9-11).
-We should have a deep desire to learn more about Jesus so that we can apply what we learn and
become more like Him.
-“Changed Into the Same Image” – 2 Cor 3:18
-“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the
same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18).
-“beholding as in a glass” – (Strongs) – “to mirror oneself, i.e. to see reflected”
-When we look into a mirror, whose reflection do we see? our own
-However, with this mirror, we don’t see our own reflection (with its imperfections). Instead, we
see the reflection of the glory of the Lord.
-What is this mirror? The word of God
-Jas 1:22-25
-Not only do we see the reflection of the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image.
-Here’s the idea: If we look into this mirror long enough our reflection will become more
like Christ’s image. In other words, we’ll become more like Him.
-Moses and the Veil
-We see a comparison being made by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:13-18.
-Ex 34
-The face of Moses was a reflection of the glory of God.
-Moses had been in His presence for 40 days and 40 nights.
-But, the people were afraid.
-They had never seen anything like that before.
-Moses’ face was reflecting the glory of God before the people who had already complained
on several occasions and had previously built the golden calf and worshipped it. Now they
were receiving God’s law which pointed out sin (Rom 3:20).
-Moses had the veil on his face, but there was another veil involved – vs 14-15.
-The people had a veil on their heart – separating themselves from the glory of God.
-Conclusion/Summary
-Let’s not put a veil on our hearts.
-We have a wonderful privilege of living under the Gospel with “all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3) available to us.
-We can have an open (unveiled) face and look directly into the word of God and see the
reflection of the glory of Christ.
-It is not covered up or hidden. It is available for all to see and imitate.
-Therefore, we can grow “in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” and strive
to be more like Him.
-“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the
same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18).
-Hopefully, this study can help us to do just that.