Anchor My Faith

The Uniqueness of Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 16:16

We ended the previous lesson with Peter saying to Jesus, Mt 16:16 “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This set Jesus apart from others as he is the Son of the living God, unlike the pagan gods who are dead. We also began to document the uniqueness of Jesus by quoting from Matthew 1:21 – 23. We will continue to document his uniqueness in this lesson.

Because of threat on the life of Jesus as a child, his parents took his to Egypt “and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”’ (Matthew 2:15 ESV).

At the baptism of Jesus “a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”’ (Matthew 3:17).

While in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the devil and responds to command to turn stones into loaves of bread by saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). “Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”’ (Matthew 4:5 – 6).

Jesus identifies God as his Father when he said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21).

Even the demons refer to Jesus as the Son of God: “And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”’ (Matthew 8:29).

We must acknowledge Jesus before men: “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32 – 33).

Jesus is in control of everything: “At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Matthew 11:25 – 27).

Again, referring to God as his Father: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50). “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.” (Matthew 15:13). “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35).

Jesus will one day have a kingdom to rule: “He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”’ (Matthew 20:23).

Jesus will return: “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36).

Just before being arrested Jesus “fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”’ (Matthew 26:39).

And finally, the great commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Conclusion

I thought it would be useful to see what Matthew had to say about the uniqueness of Jesus. It is he and he alone who divides all of humanity into two groups: Those who humbly believe and submit to him and are born spiritually and have eternal life, and those who deny him and are left spiritually dead and on the path that leads to eternal death and continued separation from God. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV). There is only one way to eternal life! Are you going the right way?