In the gospel, God has revealed Himself in the person and work of Christ Jesus. (Col 1:15). He has done this so that there might be no mistake about who He is and what He is like. God is not some vague ‘spirit being’ out there Who chooses to conceal Himself. He is not a God Who refuses to or is unable to communicate with us.
One of the astonishing truths discovered in the gospel is that Christ Jesus is the revelation of God. He is fully God yet fully man. He is in the Father, and the Father in Him (John 10:38). It is in Christ alone that we see the exegesis and full declaration of God (John 1:18). In Jesus Christ we have the express image of the Father’s person (Heb 1:3). Christ is the crossroads between heaven and earth. Don’t think for a moment that it was an angel or a created dignitary who went to the cross for sinners. A created angel could never save depraved and fallen rebels—our sin was too great.
Christ Jesus is as one man said "God spelling Himself out in language we can understand. " So what is God like? Is He humble? Yes He is, one look at the feeding trough in which Jesus was born shows us that. Is God Holy? Yes He is; one look at Christ cleansing the Temple confirms that. Is God gracious? Yes He is; Christ’s conversation with the adulterous woman who was hijacked and dragged before Him demonstrates that. Is God compassionate? Yes He is:; the Lord Jesus on the Mount of Olives weeping for Jerusalem displays that. Is God loving and yet just? Yes He is; the Lord Jesus, at the cross, hanging between heaven and earth like a disinherited son makes that clear. Is God powerful? Yes He is; the empty tomb fully illustrates that.
Christ is the revelation of God. If we, like Philip, say, "Show us the Father, and it sufficeth us;" He answers, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:8-9). When we look at Christ, it’s as if the Father says, “I have nothing further to reveal about myself than that which I have revealed in my Son. Look unto Him and you will find me.”
Jesus is the way to the Father: no one comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). Too often we use this verse merely as an evangelism text. And yes, it is indeed a good truth to use when talking to the lost, but it is also a verse that helps us grow in our knowledge of God. Listen to what it tells us. It declares that only in Christ Jesus can we comprehend, see and come to an understanding of the Father. It was our God who purchased us! This is good news indeed.
Dearest of all names above, My Jesus and my God!
Who can resist thy heavenly love, Or trifle with thy blood?
While some on their own works rely, And some of wisdom boast, I love the incarnate Mystery, And there I fix my trust.
And that’s the Gospel Truth!