And
the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth. John 1:14 For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
Science
is amazing! Man can travel to the moon and beyond, but not without
accident. Digital science can put sound, picture, and words in the
palm of your hand and then scatter it to the four winds of the earth.
But the chip can crash in a moment to worthlessness.
Greater than these is the divine relationship between God the Father
and His Only Begotten Son, which is eternal and shall never crash
and leave you destitute. Without this relationship, we could never
have a relationship with God; there would be no hope of eternal salvation;
and we would be destitute of all the blessings of God.
Who are we that Christ should identify with us? The only Begotten
Son of God, the unique one, has chosen us, and died for us, that we
might share with divinity a relationship that is so unique, it far
surpasses any relationship and communication of mankind.
Jesus is different from any being in the heavens, on the earth, or
under the earth. There is none like him. Believers in Christ share
their identity with Christ; but Christ, the only begotten of the Father,
never shared His unique identity.
When we truly believe in the Son of God we declare boldly without
shame his true identity. John the Baptist declared that Christ came
with all grace and truth (v17). John the Baptist believed in the Son
of God when the dove descended at His baptism (John 1:32-34). Nathaniel
believed when Jesus revealed the knowledge of himself under the fig
tree (1:47). Martha declared her belief in the Son of God (11:27)
and Jesus never denied that He was the Son of God (10:36). John's
purpose in writing the gospel was that we might believe on the Son
of God and have life through His name (20:31).
Believing in the true identity of Christ is the crux between faith
and condemnation. If we believe, we are saved. If we fail to believe
in the Son of God, then we are condemned (3:18).
What makes the Father-Son relationship so unique? We can attempt to
compare it to the existence of only one key that will open the door
to a room full of treasures, life's secrets, riches, and eternal pleasures.
Jesus is that only key to the Father and all the blessings the Father
has for us. No man has seen the Father except the Only Begotten Son
He was in the bosom of the Father in eternity. (18) Christ alone qualifies
to be the sacrificial lamb for our iniquities and the only one who
could truly fulfill the will of the Father. Our relationship with
God the Father depends upon our relationship with Christ. We can be
sure of our Identity because Christ was sure of His identity. If we
are not sure of His identity then ours is in vain. But the mystery
has been declared. Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God.
Hypothetically, let us image that the Queen of England knocked at
your front door; but because she was disguised in manly clothing and
unkempt, you did not recognize her, so you just slammed the door in
her face and told her to go away. Similarly the Jewish people did
not recognize who Jesus as Messiah because he came with humility rather
than with kingly power; so they refused Him. "He came unto his
own and His own received him not" (11).
However, if the Queen knocked at your door appearing as you know her,
you would bow, curtsy, or honor her in the most appropriate way. It
should be no different with Jesus. When we truly know Him as the unique
Son of God, we shall bow in His presence; we shall reverently worship
in his presence; and we shall respect His holy Name.
Belief in the only Begotten Son acquires an awe and reverence in worship
that is unequivocal to any earthly form and ritual respect. Worship
must surpass any human dimension or relationship and be transfigured
into a divine communication of God's glory. The gods of this world
must be smashed until Jesus stands alone before you upon the mount
of transfiguration.
On the mount of transfiguration the disciples struggled to know completely
the uniqueness of Christ. Moses and Elijah were transformed before
them with Jesus Christ. Peter wanted to build three tabernacles, one
for each prophet. What an insult to the Son of God!
Man has not changed today. How many believers have established tabernacles
of ideals that have elevated man's will and opinions to equalize God's
will and desires? How many have elevated another man, the Mother of
Jesus, or a famous saint to a place of worship that Christ alone should
have? How many worshippers have constructed courts of worship that
follow their own making and have failed to give total honor to Christ?
When we fully understand the Uniqueness of the Son, no tabernacle
shall be erected; but Christ alone shall stand before you clothed
in all the glory of the Father.