| |
Who
Is Jesus?
Names and Descriptive Phrases of Jesus - Part
12
By Allan E. McNabb
In this series we’re talking about the names and descriptive phrases
identifying Jesus. Thus far we’ve talked about Jesus as God,
Lord, Savior, Christ, Creator, the Word, the Son of God, the Life, the
Light, the Lamb of God, and the propitiation for our sins.
In this article, we talk about Jesus as the firstborn.
The Firstborn
Under the law of Moses, the term “firstborn” was used literally
and figuratively, expressing a relationship, an inheritance, preeminence,
and privileges.
The firstborn son’s inheritance was a double portion. He
had special privileges as the firstborn male of the family.
- “But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved,
by giving him a double portion of all that he has,
for he is the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right
of the firstborn” (Deut. 21:17).
- God called Israel His firstborn son. This communicates the
relationship He had with Israel, and the preeminence, privileges, and
inheritance He granted the nation.“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus
says the LORD, “Israel is My son, My firstborn”’” (Ex.
4:22).
God calls David, who was a type of Christ, His firstborn. This
communicates the relationship of David with God, looking forward to the
relationship Jesus would have with God.
- “I also shall make him My firstborn,
the highest of the kings of the earth.
In Scripture, God uses the term “firstborn” to communicate
several things about Jesus and Christians, which we’ll investigate
through the remainder of this article.
Jesus: Firstborn, Preeminent
Jesus is the firstborn of all creation.
- “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
of all creation” (Col. 1:15).
The phrase “firstborn over creation” does not mean Jesus
was created by God, because He’s divine and therefore eternal (Jn.
1:1). Rather, it means that He’s preeminent.
- “For by Him all things were created, both
in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones
or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been
created through Him and for Him. He is before all things,
and in Him all things hold together. He is also head
of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place
in everything” (Col. 1:16-18).
- “And He put all things in subjection under His feet,
and gave Him as head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22).
Jesus: Firstborn From The Dead
Jesus is firstborn from the dead. In other words, He was first
to resurrect from the grave, having conquered death.
- “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will
come to have first place in everything” (Col. 1:18).
- “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn
of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To
Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood –” (Rev.
1:5).
Because Jesus conquered death, and rose by the power granted Him by
God (Jn. 10:18), we too will resurrect to eternal life by the power of
God if we obey Jesus (1 Cor. 6:14; Heb. 5:9).
Jesus: Firstborn Among Many Brethren
Paul says that Jesus was the firstborn among many brethren.
- “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become
conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the
firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29).
Since we are flesh, Jesus became flesh to author our salvation, and
save us.
- “But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than
the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering
of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace
of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting
for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all
things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect
the author of their salvation through sufferings. For
both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all
from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed
to call them brethren” (Heb. 2:9-11).
- “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood,
He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through
death He might render powerless him who had the power of death,
that is, the devil, and might free those who through
fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Heb.
2:14-15).
As Christians, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus (1 Pet. 2:24). Therefore,
we are His brethren because we have conformed to His image, making Satan
powerless against us in respect to death (Heb. 2:9-15).
Church of the Firstborn
Since Jesus is the firstborn, His church is called “church of the
firstborn” in Scripture.
- “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who
are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all,
and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect” (Heb. 12:23).
Members of the church of the firstborn have a relationship with God,
an inheritance from God, preeminence in the world as God’s people,
and privileges given to them by God. They’re enrolled in
heaven, and possess eternal life.
If you’re a Christian, you’re a member of Jesus’ church,
the firstborn’s church, and have all these blessings from God.
But if you’re not a Christian, you’re missing out on the
most precious things of life.
To be continued.
|