What is the Point of Jesus, Part 3

~ 30 A.D. - John the Baptist proclaims to the gathered masses looking for something with greater sustenance than the regulatory existence of their Judeo life:

"I baptize you with water, but one is coming who is mightier than I...

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire"

~33 A.D. - Jesus, preparing his followers (and probably himself) for His quickly-coming crucifixion, attempts to provide comfort:

"I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper that He may be with you forever, the Spirit of truth...He abides with you, and will be with you." "I tell you the truth, it to your advantage that I go away; ... I will send Him [the Helper] to you." "He... will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; ... He will guide you into all truth."

~ a few weeks later, having returned from the dead, Jesus leaves his followers a few more notes:

"John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit

not many days from now."

~and Jesus was right. Shortly thereafter, as the early followers of Jesus were watching college football one Saturday, the unusual, unique, bizarre and intimidating happened:

"...there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house... and there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.

And they were filled with the Holy Spirit."

~ the distinct introduction of the 3rd person within the Trinity - as ol' King James named the Holy Ghost. And this was a sealing, a connection between God and man more radical in concept and promise than we can fear to comprehend. A furtherance of the aim of Jesus: to have man abide in God.

To be led by God

to be convicted, encouraged, taught, Fathered...

to take comfort in the myriad of promises throughout scripture,

to begin to understand the nature of creator God.

What is the Point of Jesus, Part 1

It is 40 A.D.

Jesus has fulfilled the desires of His Father, Jehovah God. He has served as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, and completed the work of reconciliation. That which we ignorantly trusted in ten years ago has been brought to fruition.

Before, we trusted that God would provide a means to overcome our sins and separation from Him.

Now, we trust that Jesus' sacrifice is the means by which to bring about justification.

This justification is the foundation of the Christian Salvation promise. By faith in the works of Jesus and the promise of Jehovah, we are brought into relationship with God.

In some manners, it is now easier to trust God; we have the teachings of Jesus and an additional Testament to share His works. In contrast, there is a greater challenge: to face the One who has sacrificed on our behalf. And this causes us difficulty, as we dislike the specifics of our salvation. No longer are we allowed to generically trust in the work of Jehovah, we must accept the work of Jesus.

All of this without Jesus

It is 30 A.D.

You are able to relate to Jehovah God in the following fashion: as one who sees God for who He is and yourself for who you are. In recognition, you seek the mercy of God to reunite [reconcile] yourself to Him. Positionally, you (a marred creation) are withdrawn from the presence of God. You need to be made right [justified] in relation to God to be found in His presense.

Without knowledge of Jesus or comprehension of how God will go about fairly bringing the two of you together [reconciled], you (in faith) are made right [justified] with God.

The result of this justification:

• Access to Jehovah God,
• Presence of Holy Spirit,
• Recognition as 'son of Abraham',
• Expectation of eternity with God in heaven.

All of this without Jesus.