Son

Lesson #44

Today our lesson will cover the next word in our collection of eight words, the word Son. We are looking at the section made up of John 3:16 – 18, which contain the famous verse “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). What does it mean for God to have a Son? John Piper points out a problem Muslims and others have with this. As you listen to audio bite 23:14 to 28:25 you will learn about this.

A basic understanding of the Son of God can be obtained from John 1:1, which reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (ESV). This verse tells us three important things about the Word. First, “The Word was God.” Second, “The Word was with God” and therefore distinct from God. And third, “In the beginning was the Word” so he was always in existence and never had a beginning.

To obtain the connection between the Word and the Son and Jesus we need to look ahead to verse 14; “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (ESV). So, the Word that was in the beginning that was with God and that was God became flesh and dwelt among the disciples and was known as Jesus. In verse 14, the Word that became flesh is described as the only Son from the Father. Jesus is therefore the Son of God that has always existed, without beginning. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3 ESV). How awesome is this Jesus who is the exact imprint of the nature of God and by the word of his power upholds the universe. This Jesus, the Son of God was sent to die on the cross to make purification for sins and then rose again to sit down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. We need to come before him and humble ourselves and show him the respect he deserves for the price he paid for our salvation. Everything we have or will ever have of worth is from him. When will we begin to live like we believe that?

Prayer

Father, my heart has been so captured by this lesson to see that Jesus, the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, and you are one God, one divine nature. You are one essence and three persons in an eternal, perfect, joyful relationship and you have chosen from the mass of humanity those you are giving as a gift to Jesus, your Son, to give the gift of eternal life to. This body of believers are many members but one body in which the Spirit of God dwells. Through the work of Jesus on the cross you have brought us into a oneness with the eternal God. Father, I can’t begin to comprehend this and all I can say is Thank you.