Messiah: God in Human Form

On three occasions during His earthly ministry Jesus announced to His disciples what He came to earth to do. He came to suffer, die and be resurrected after three days to provide for the forgiveness of our sins.

The first occasion for His announcement was when He asked the disciples who they thought He was. Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Peter professed Jesus to be the only begotten Son of God. His profession identified Jesus as God in human form (Mark 8:31-32; Luke 9:21-22).

Jesus response was, “Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 16:17). Immediately Jesus says that He has come to suffer die and rise again. He wanted the disciples to understand why God had come to earth in human form (Matthew 16:21).

The second time Jesus tells of His passion is to Peter, James and John after His transfiguration (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45). At the transfiguration, Jesus’ appearance was changed to reflect the glory of His deity. And God audibly announces Jesus to be His Son – the second member of the trinity.

Further, the presence of Moses (representing the law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) demonstrated that the Law and the Prophets foretold the coming to earth, the betrayal, death and resurrection of the Messiah – who was God in human form.

An additional detail included in the second account was that Messiah was going to be betrayed by a close companion. The Greek word translated “betrayed” is paradídōmi. It means “to turn over” “from close beside.” Someone close to Jesus would betray Him, one of His disciples - namely, Judas.

First announcement was given after Jesus was identified as God in human form who came to be our Messiah. The second announcement was after Jesus’ transfiguration affirmed His deity and that the Law and the Prophets foretold God was coming in human form to be our Messiah.

The final announcement came as Jesus - as God in human form, was starting the sequence of events that would provide for our salvation. He was betrayed, suffered, was killed and then three days later rose from the dead.

Despite Jesus’ repeated explanations, “the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said” (Luke 18: 31-34). God the Father had revealed Jesus’ identity to Peter. After His resurrection, Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:45-47).

Today, the Holy Spirit helps us to understand who Jesus is and what He has done for us (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit opens our eyes and ears to God’s truth.