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Jesus, the Man to Behold

 Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"
John 19:5

Jesus is the second Adam, the man who began his ministry in the wilderness and ends his ministry in the garden of Gethsemane. This is just the opposite of the first Adam’s process, which began in the garden of God and ended after he was cast out into the wilderness.

If we are to learn but one truth concerning the man we know as Jesus, if we are to remember just one aspect of the man who has been presented to us through the gospel accounts, it would be this: Jesus of Nazareth is the man who willingly put aside his fleshly desires[1] in service[2] to the will of his God.[3]

Jesus’ ministry began in service, with the temptation in the wilderness experience,[4] and upon the last night of his ministry[5] it ended in the garden of Gethsemane, “the oil press,” where his will was tested to the full.

On that last night, we hear Jesus in the garden, crying out, as our brother[6] and fellow companion,[7] "not my will, but your will be done."[8] There we witness the man of sorrows beseeching the Father to remove, if possible, the cup required of him.[9] There in the garden[10] we behold the heart of the man of God, the one who truly sought the face of God.[11] There in the garden, the Will of God was clearly manifested for the man of sorrows.

The will of God is the cup, the necessity that the son of man die so he might be lifted up.[12] Jesus drank of the cup in his obedience to God and in his desire to do the will of God, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.”[13] For this reason, the tree was prepared,[14] where God laid upon Jesus the sin of His people.[15]

It was for God’s providence which “pleased the LORD to bruise him: He has put him to grief.”[16] Jesus’ grief became our joy when, as the Lamb of God, he willingly allowed himself to be nailed to the cross.[17] There upon the tree and in the knowledge of the Father's will, Jesus drank the cup and took our sin upon himself,[18] and became the sacrifice that satisfied God’s justice.[19]

The necessity of Jesus’ death is understood by using typology. This picture of the necessity of Jesus’ death was played out thirty-four centuries ago, when Moses, to save the people from God's wrath,[20] first made[21] and then lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness. What Moses accomplished by the making of the brazen serpent prefigured Jesus as the son of man.

Jesus pointed us back to Moses when he said to Nicodemus the Pharisee, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up.”[22] Clearly, in saving his brethren from the wrath of God, Jesus has become for us the antitype of the brazen serpent Moses lifted up for the people to behold if they were to be saved. As the Hebrew author reminded us, it is in the today[23] of our salvation that “we see Jesus.”[24]

As the antitype of the brazen serpent, Jesus, when he was hung upon the tree, is thus understood to have become—taken on or absorbed—a curse.[25] The purpose of the type points us back to the garden scene with the promise of the woman’s seed. When Jesus was hung upon the tree, the serpent's head[26] was bruised (crushed), bringing salvation and deliverance for those who in faith look toward (upon) Jesus.[27] God’s seed promise to the woman[28] was completed when Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of man, was lifted up from out of death and the grave. The “completion” of God’s promise was revealed when Jesus, the seed of the woman, with his last breath uttered the words, henceforth recorded, “It is finished.”[29]

 

Perhaps more than any other single point, it is important to understand that God is pleased with Jesus, the one who bore the sin, all the iniquities, “For it was the LORD who laid upon him the iniquity of us all.” [30] In the knowledge God is satisfied with the sacrifice of his soul; Jesus is also satisfied[31] as the Righteous One who made it possible for the many to be made righteous.[32]

As we behold the Son of man who has been lifted up into heaven itself, we see Jesus, who was declared “the express image of God.”[33] The glory of God is thus revealed in the man God raised from the dead.[34] Through the resurrection, we understand that God did not leave the soul of Jesus in death,[35] “but was made a life-giving spirit.”[36] The heavenly host can be heard crying out, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”[37]

It is comforting to know God the Father is pleased with His obedient servant.[38] Through God’s forbearance and foreknowledge, deliverance from the curse of the serpent was made possible by the one found obedient, the one who went willingly to his death upon the cross.[39] When Jesus surrendered to being lifted up upon the tree (cross) at Calvary, he became cursed, for, just as it is written in the Law of Moses, “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”[40]and is to be understood through the symbolic connection with the serpent. By willingly becoming cursed on our behalf, Jesus crushed the serpent's head.[41]

In having achieved the crushing of the serpent's head,[42] Jesus has been declared the glory of God, man standing in the presence of God Almighty.[43] How Jesus could both become cursed and be declared the glory of God, can only be understood through the truth, that God is pleased with His Arm.[44] For Jesus was the man of sorrows, who, through his sufferings and “…the labor of his soul, he sees (and) he is satisfied, through his knowledge give righteousness does the righteous one, My servant, to many, And their iniquities he does bear."[45]

Jesus is the first, the beginning of the new man[46] in the order of the new creation.[47] An essential part of the one who has received power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing is the concept that he is God’s firstborn, the preeminent one. As the glorified man, Jesus speaks in words that we can understand, because He is “the beginning of the creation of God.”[48]

Jesus has been declared the preeminent one[49] because He was the first, from mankind, to be raised from among the dead, who truly escaped the corruption of the grave.[50] Death no longer has dominion over him. All those who had been resurrected from the dead, before and after Jesus, were returned to the grave and experienced corruption.[51]

Not so with Jesus! He was the first man to be raised a life-giving spirit,[52] truly the first man to be raised from the dead, immortal, never to die again.[53] Here, the sure mercies of David found their fulfillment, because David, according to both Peter and Paul,[54] knew the resurrection from the dead meant the fulfillment of God's promise to the fathers.[55]

Just as important to us, the resurrection was the way to the throne of David and the Kingship.[56] The centrality of the apostles’ message,[57] the gospel they believed and died for, was that God raised Jesus of Nazareth, the son of David, from the dead, in fulfillment of the sure mercies of God.

What does this mean for us today? It means that there was a man who was the fulfillment of the seed of the woman, the first of the many promises of God, and who now stands in the presence of God. His name is Jesus, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."[58] He is the Son of man, declared the Son of God,[59] with the standing promise to return as the judge of all men.[60]

As the Son of man, Jesus reveals to creation[61] the consummation of Yahweh’s desire to create man in His image and likeness. To the amazement of the heavenly host, "things angels desire to look into,"[62] the glory of God has been revealed; God and man as one.[63] For this is and has been the goal of redemptive history from the beginning. The goal has been achieved, and is realized in the revelation of God giving Jesus to the world.[64]

 

 

In the final analysis, the theme behind all others throughout the scriptures is Yahweh’s desire for man to be like God.[65] From the very beginning, this truth was revealed to us with God’s desire and decree to make man in His image and likeness. It was also revealed by the two special trees found in the garden of God. The one offered Adam the promise that he could be wise like God,[66] knowing both good and evil. Adam found only the certainty of death when he succumbed to the temptation to be like God by circumventing obedience to God’s command.

The other special tree, the tree Adam did not eat of, held the promise of life.[67] The tree of life was also within Adam’s reach,[68] even as he reached out to grasp the forbidden. But, because of his disobedience to God, Adam was expelled from God's garden and separated from the one tree that could have given him what he needed and would have satisfied his desire.

The two trees represent what man wants and what man needs. The tree of life, which many refuse but which all people need, is still available, and is found in the person of Jesus.[69] If the two trees in the garden are metaphorical, then they were meant to point us to the person of Jesus, a real man, who was sent to us from heaven [70] as the bread of life which a man must eat if he is to escape the certainty of death.[71]

Jesus reveals to us the promise of the sure mercies of God. The sure mercies are the conduit, the means, to fulfill God’s desire to make man in His image and likeness. They have been encapsulated in God's anointed,[72] beginning with Jesus of Nazareth, the last man,[73] who became the first fruits[74] of God’s desire for man to be found in His image.[75]

To be like God, to be found in His image, is the expression of His holiness, righteousness, immortality, the life-giving spirit.[76] Like Jesus, the children of God, who by faith have been granted the authority to become the sons and daughters of God, have been promised that they will possess these qualities and virtues.[77] As sons and daughters of God, His people stand separate from the rest of mankind.[78] No other creature, heavenly, earthly, man or beast; can claim this; it is that place where God and man are one.[79]

 

Today is the day of salvation.[80] If a man is to be saved from the judgment of death,[81] then it must be today. For one to be saved, there simply is no tomorrow, and it must be through Jesus; “for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”[82]

Now is the time to “behold the man” who made it possible to be saved.[83] Jesus of Nazareth is that man, for He is the way to God.[84] And the way to God is to behold the man,[85] the man who now stands glorified as the express image of God.[86]

 

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[1] The temptation, the testing in the wilderness experience, reveals Jesus overcoming the desires of the flesh.
 Matthew 4:1-11 *Deuteronomy 8:1-6 A parallel of what Jesus experienced was that of God's people as He led them to the promised land.

[2] "…even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 ESV

[3] Psalm 22:1-2, 10 "my God, my God," cited in Mark15:34 Psalm 40:8, 17 69:2 John 20:17
*see Revelation 3:12 "...I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God..."

[4] The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Matthew 4:1-11 See Deuteronomy 8:3 for the type.

[5] Matthew 26:36-39

[6] Psalm 22:22, cited in Hebrews 2:12 See also John 20:17, Luke 8:21

[7] Psalm 45:7, cited in Hebrews 1:9 See also Psalm 119:63, *122:8, 9 John 20:19 "Peace be with you."

[8] Matthew 26:42 Hebrews 10:9 Psalm 40:8 143:10,

[9] Psalms 40:7-8 The entire Psalm is about the anointed one's prayer before God.

[10] The two central men in redemptive history can be understood through the relationship they have with God.
 The one begins in a garden, revealing his disobedience to God, the other ends in a garden, revealing his obedience to God.

[11] Psalms 17:15 "I will behold your face in Righteousness..." Psalm 31:16, 41:12, 80:19, 89:14

[12] Jesus tells Nicodemus, "…the Son of Man must be lifted up" John 3:14b The resurrection is the lifting up of Jesus into heaven,
 where He has now been declared both Lord and Christ. Romans 1:4

[13] Hebrews 12:2

[14] 1Peter 2:24 Acts 13:39 The tree is the symbol of both life and death.
Seen in the beginning are the two trees in the garden of God, the tree of life, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

[15] “…and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-6 2Corinthians 5:21 Romans 3:25

[16] Isaiah 53:10

[17] Colossians 2:14

[18] 2Corinthians 5:21

[19] Romans 3:24 4:5

[20] Numbers 21:5-9 John 3:14

[21] 2Kings 18:4 Numbers 21:8-9

[22] John 3:14

[23] Hebrews 3:7-11 Psalms 95:7-11

[24] Hebrews 2:9

[25] Jesus"...made a curse for us." Galatians 3:13, in fulfillment of Deuteronomy 21:23

[26] Genesis 3:15

[27] "But we see Jesus..." Hebrews 2:9, 12:2-3. In type, the people under Moses looked upon the brazen serpent Moses lifted up,
 if they were to be delivered from the wrath of God's judgment in the fiery serpents sent among them.

[28] Genesis 3:15 Galatians 4:4

[29] "It is finished." John 19:30

[30] Isaiah 53:5-6

[31] “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied…”  Isaiah 53:11 ESV
There is some ambiguity at to the one who is doing the “seeing.” Is it Yahweh, or the servant?
 Only by careful examination of the text, in the different translations, can anything like a determination be made.
 Here it is preferred that it is the servant, Jesus, who, out of the anguish of his soul, from all that Yahweh required of him,
 “he sees,” and “is satisfied, in the knowledge” that all is for the good coming from the God who does all things well. 

[32] Acts 13:38-39 Romans 5:15-19

[33] 2Corinthians 4:4 Colossians 1:15 Hebrews 1:3

[34] Acts 2:32, 5:30, 10:40, 13:23, 30 Romans 10:9 Galatians 1:1

[35] Psalm 16:5-10 "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption."

[36] 1Corinthians 15:45

[37] Revelation 5:12 see also Revelation 5:9,13

[38] "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 12:18, 17:5, 2Peter 1:17

[39] *Philippians 2:8 Hebrews 5:8

[40] Galatians 3:13 Deuteronomy 21:23

[41] The serpent's head was crushed, the promise fulfilled. Genesis 3:15

[42] Did Jesus crush the serpents head or not; yes or no? The correct answer to the question determines what one believes is the serpent.
 Is the serpent an entity, a fallen angle, the devil, who today runs around, with his minions (demons) seeking to destroy people’s lives
 by keeping them from the truth of God and the gospel of the Lord Jesus? Or, is the serpent in scripture symbolic, representing that thing which lies within every man (and woman).

The answer is revealed in the certainty what the scriptures clearly bear out; Jesus did indeed crush the serpent’s head, having attained the victory over Satan.
 It is this victory that has been preached from thousands of pulpits for thousands of years. The church has gotten that part correct.
 In contradiction to the defeat of the serpent, the devil, Jesus achieved upon the cross, is the teaching that the devil is a person,
an entity, for which the dualism of good and evil have established its place in the religions and philosophies of man.
If and since Jesus defeated the serpent with his death upon the cross, the logical conclusion is that the serpent is metaphorical
 of that which lies within every person. Jesus of Nazareth, the man approved of God, through his obedience to God,
 won the battle and defeated the serpent by crushing its head. It is to the overcomers, (1John 2:14)
 those who are the conquerors (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 3:5, 12, 21) who are enter into the kingdom of God.
 Jesus was the ultimate overcomer, who crushed the serpents head. (Revelation 3:21, 5:5)

[43] Acts 7:55-56 Hebrews 9:11-12

[44] The man God sent was His servant. Isaiah 52:13, 53:1 John 12:38 Romans 10:16

[45] Isaiah 53:11 YLT The Young's Literal Translation was chosen here (although somewhat awkward), because it expresses the Lord's servant to the fullest.

[46] Ephesians 2:15

[47] Isaiah 65:17, 66:22 2 Peter 3:13 *Revelation 21:8

[48] Revelation 3:14

[49] Colossians 1:18c Ephesians 1:22-23 Revelation 1:5

[50] Psalms 16:10, cited in Acts 13:35 See also Psalm 49:15

[51] Psalm 90:3 Ecclesiastes 12:7

[52] 1Corinthians 15:45 ESV, NAS, YLT See also Romans 8:2, 10

[53] Romans 6:9 Acts 13:34 Revelation 1:18

[54] The message of Peter in Acts 2, and of Paul, Acts 13, confirm their collaboration of the gospel.

[55] Acts 13:32-39

[56] Acts 2:25-32 *verse 30

[57] Paul at the synagogue at Antioch. Acts 13:14- "...the good news promised to the fathers"  13:32-35

[58] Acts 4:12

[59] Romans 1:4 Acts 9:20, *13:33 Psalms 2:7 Hebrews 1:5, 5:5

[60] Daniel 7:13-14 Matthew 28:18 John 3:35 Acts 10:42, 17:31

[61] Romans 8:20-22

[62] 1Peter 1:10-*12

[63] John 17:11, 22-23 The goal of redemptive history.

[64] John 3:16 "For God so loved the world...." *Revelation 21:1-5 The goal realized. *The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave to him. Revelation 1:1

[65] Genesis 1:26, Psalm 17:15

[66] Genesis 3:5

[67] The tree of life. Genesis 3:22, 24 Proverbs 3:13-18, 11:30 Revelation 2:7, 22:2, 14, 19

[68] Genesis 3:22

[69] "I am the vine" John 15:5, "I am the bread of life" John 6:48, "You must eat of me…" John 6:53-58

[70] John 6:51-53

[71] John 6:48-58

[72] God's Christ. Matthew 16:20 Luke 9:20 1John 2:22

[73] "…the last man..." 1Corinthians 15:45 *"the last shall be first..." Matthew 20:16

[74] 1Corinthians 15:20, 23 Acts 26:23

[75] 2Corinthians 4:4 Colossians 1:15 Philippians 2:6 Hebrews 1:3

[76] Jesus, the last Adam, became a life-giving spirit. 1Corinthians 15:45 The first among many brethren.

[77] John 1:12 1John 5:1 Galatians 3:26 *Romans 8:14-19

[78] 2Corinthians 6:18 Romans 8:14 Hosea 1:10 Revelation 21:7

[79] The Prayer of Jesus to the Father, John 17 The oneness, *John 17:11, 21

[80] 2Corinthians 6:2, cited Isaiah 49:6 See also Hebrews 3:7, Psalms 95:7

[81] Genesis 2:17 "...in dying, you shall surely die" Revelation 2:12, 20:6, 14, 21:8 The second death.

[82] Acts 4:12

[83] Acts 10:43 1Timothy 2:5

[84] John 14:6, 10:9, 11:25 1John 5:20

[85] Genesis 3:22 Zechariah 6:12 *John 19:5, 14

[86] Genesis 1:27 2Corinthians 4:4 Colossians 1:15 *Hebrews 1:3 "...the express image of His person…"