Saturday, June 30, 2012

Triune Christ: Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer


Last week we looked at the triune nature of Jesus Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King, worthy of our worship, loyalty and submission. Because He is pure, holy and just, He is filled with righteous anger and wrath at sin (Jeremiah 10:10; John 3:36; Romans 1:18)

Yet the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14; 19:16) is also a God of love (1 John 4:7). He has a gentler, more nurturing side, also described in three aspects as our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer.

The Creator spoke us and the universe into existence (Colossians 1:16); the Sustainer satisfies all our physical and spiritual needs to maintain life (Ephesians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 9:10-12); and the Redeemer or Deliverer (Romans 11:26) bought us with the price of His own shed blood, freeing us from the bondage of sin and death (Romans 3:23-25).

Names of Jesus reflecting His creative powers include Maker, Builder, and Author. Jesus is the just, pure, and righteous Maker (Job 4:17; 36:3) of all men (Proverbs 22:2), of the heavens and earth (Isaiah 51:13), and of the Holy City (Hebrews 11:10)

Our Maker is therefore worthy of our worship (Psalm 95:6), respect (Isaiah 17:7), and obedience (Isaiah 45:9).

He is the Master Builder Who places us on His sure foundation (Hebrews 3:3; Matthew 16:18), and the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

As the Sustainer, Jesus Christ feeds us. He is the Bread of Life (John 6:32-:51) Who came down from Heaven, the Living Water, and the True Vine (John 15:1,5) Who nourishes us as a vine brings life-sustaining nutrients to its branches.

The roles of Jesus as the Sustainer, Who upholds all things (Hebrews 1:3) include Physician or Healer, Teacher, and Bridegroom (Husband and Spouse). The Physician heals our diseased bodies, casts out demons, cleanses us from our sins, and heals our troubled souls (Matthew 8:16; 9:12; 10:8;  Mark 2:17; Luke 4:23).

The Teacher taught from the Scriptures, in parables, and by example. His teachings are the words of eternal life (John 6:68; I John 1:1).

The Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15; 25)  is the perfect Husband (Isaiah 54:5), Who loves us with self-sacrificing agape love (Ephesians 5:25), Who will always be faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9) and Who will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

We are further blessed that our Spouse is the fairest and chiefest of ten thousand (Song of Solomon 5:10). His matchless beauty (Isaiah 33:17) is compared to that of three plants: the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley (Song of Solomon 2:1), and the glorious Branch of the LORD (Isaiah 11:1; 4:2;  Zechariah 6:12;; Jeremiah 33:15, 23:5).

The sustenance of Jesus Christ is the only source of everlasting life from the Father, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one can come to the Father except by Him (John 14:6).

Three roles of Jesus befitting His nature as the Truth (Revelation 3:7) are the Faithful and True Witness (the Amen; Revelation 3:14; 1:5; 19:11; Isaiah 55:4), a Covenant of the people (Isaiah 42:6) in that He is the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Messiah, and the Testator (Hebrews 7:22; 9:16,17) Whose death allowed all believers to be joint heirs with Him.

The Sustainer also guides us on our journey through life, for He is not only the Way (John 14:6), but also the Light (Isaiah 9:2; Luke 2:32; John 1:4,9, 8:12, 12:35,46), and the  Shepherd Who leads us out of danger and to safety (Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34:23; John 10:11,16; Zechariah 13:7; Isaiah 40:10-11; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4) because He Himself is the Door of the sheep (John 10:7).

Even the selfless love and care of Christ the Shepherd has three progressive stages. He is the Good Shepherd Who knows His sheep and lays down His life for them (John 10:14-16). The power of His resurrection makes Him the Great Shepherd Whose blood is the everlasting covenant (Hebrews 13:20). When we see Christ in His glory at the judgment seat, He shall be as the Chief Shepherd  (1 Peter 5:4).

As the Light, Jesus is described as the Morning Star; as the Dayspring (dawn’s first light; Luke 1:78), and as the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2). The Morning Star, which refers to Venus or other bright planet when visible in the east before sunrise (Revelation 2:16,28), is also known as the Star (Numbers 24:17) or Day Star (2 Peter 1:19. These names remind us that His Light is always there to guide us, faithful as the sun rising every morning, brightening our days, and giving us hope when darkness seems to surround us.

The Sustainer also guards and protects us with His infinite strength (Joel 3:16), which is like a strong Tower (Proverbs 18:10) or Fortress (Psalm 31:3; 71:3) protecting us from the storms (Isaiah 25:4; 32:2) or our enemies (Psalm 31:2, the spiritual Rock of our salvation (Matthew 16:18, Psalm 61:2; 62:7; 71:3; 94:22; 2 Samuel 22:47; 1 Corinthians 10:4), and a Foundation or precious and living chief Corner Stone (Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Peter 2:4,6).

Praise God that He is not only our Creator and Sustainer, but that He is our Redeemer (Job 19:25; Psalm 19:14; 78:35; Isaiah 41:13; 43:14, 44:6,14), Who set us free from sin and death! (Romans 3:23-25). He is known as the Redeemer, Deliverer (Romans 11:26), and Arm of the Lord (Isaiah 51:9; 52:10; 53:1; 62:8), mighty to save but tenderly protecting us (Isaiah 40:11).

He paid the price in full for our freedom, giving every drop of His precious blood to pay our sin debt in full. We are saved by grace through faith in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) as the completed work to buy our liberty from the bondage of hell. Praise God that whosovever believes in Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, and Himself the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, has everlasting life! (John 3:16).

This post is featured as Reader's Choice this week at What Joy is Mine! Thanks so much to Naomi and to your readers!



© 2012 Laurie Collett





39 comments:

Donald Fishgrab said...

As we begin to understand these different aspects of Christ, we begin to see him as a real three dimensional being, not the flat dimensionless being many relegate him to today. While he is love, he is also righteous and holy. While he created the entire world, he cares about each individual, not just the overall result. Thanks for the reminder.

Denise said...

Beautiful reminder.

Nadwrażliwiec said...

Amen! Thank You Laurie for this godly note.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, dfish! What the Bible reveals of Him is amazing enough, and how much more amazing it will be when we see Him face to face in glory, and experience Him as He truly is.
Blessings,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Denise! May you have a blessed week in Him.
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Zim!
God bless you,
laurie

caryjo said...

My husband has referred to our Lord as his redeemer so often that it completely buried itself into my heart. I knew it, but didn't always describe Him that way. Had others. But NOW? Oh, YES! He is my Redeemer. The other aspects are very important and descriptive also... but this one flows through me minute by minute and I can rejoice over it.

betty-NZ said...

There is so much awesomeness to Him!

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Caryjo! Because He is our Redeemer, we are free indeed!
God bless,
Laurie

Kim said...

Thanks for sharing this deeper perspective of Christ with us at NOBH. And what a comforting perspective that is!

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Bettyl! May you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

You're very welcome, Kim, and thanks for your kind comment. Praise Him that He is the God of all comfort!
God bless,
Laurie

Wendy @ E-1-A said...

Such a lot of work has gone in to these studies Laurie. You are a true Bible scholar. These are most definitely for printing off and keeping safe.

Wendy @ E1A (new blog)

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much for the kind words, Wendy! The more I study of God's Word, the more I want to know and to share with others. There is always something new and fresh in His Word with each reading, and we could never exhaust its meaning or understand it fully until we see Him in glory.
Love in Him,
Laurie

Frank E. Blasi said...

As Wendy above have already stated; a thoroughly researched post. Well done.

Sandra Heska King said...

Much to ponder here, Laurie. Such an in depth study. I'm really feeling the creator and sustainer aspects today. :)

Anonymous said...

Yes, as Sandra say, much to ponder, much to dive into with the depth of study you have done. Sometimes, it takes placing so many names in one place with references to make me face the Omniscience, Omnipresence, Omnipotence of our God. He is my Shepherd this moment as His guidance is what I need. He is my Healer too. I plan to copy this page and do some in-depth study myself. Thanks.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda (SDG)

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Frank, I appreciate your encouragement!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Sandra! It is amazing that not only did He create everything, but he cares for every hair on our head, sustaining us in our every need.
Love in Him,
laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you so much, Linda. May the Holy Spirit guide your study.
Love in Christ,
Laurie

Charlotte said...

You did a good job of pointing out that He is our everything.
Thank you for sharing on Spiritual Sundays.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Shari said...

Thank you for teaching us about who He really is. Thank you also for linking up!

Blessings~
Shari

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Charlotte, for your kind comment, and for hosting Spiritual Sundays.
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

You're very welcome, Shari! Thanks for your encouragement & for hosting!
Blessings,
Laurie

Amber said...

Great insight Laurie! I have truly been enjoying your posts on all the trinity characteristics! Thanks for linking up to Taste Truth Tuesday! We are moving for the next few weeks so I am taking some time off from blogging! I will let you know when the link up is back up!! Have a great July!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Amber! May God bless your move, and I'll look forward to "seeing" you when you return to blogging!
God bless,
Laurie

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

Thank you for sharing your wisdom and study with us, Laurie. You're a blessing to the online world!

Naomi said...

Laurie...yes, He is our all in all. Amen! This week your post is being featured at WJIM. I'm glad to feature you once more. You were the reader's choice. :o)

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Naomi! Thank you so much for featuring Saved by Grace as Reader's Choice! I am blessed and honored, and I thank you for being such a blessing!
Love in Him,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

You're very welcome, Jennifer! Thank you for your encouragement, which is a great blessing to me!
Love in Him,
Laurie

Judith said...

This is a very thorough study. Thank you so much for sharing it. Amen!! I came over from What Joy is Mine :-)

Unto The Least of These said...

I just stumbled upon this site today and am thanking the Lord for His guidance-for He most certainly led me here! Thank you for all of the time and effort you have invested in this study, and for sharing all the insights God has given you. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God: not only have you painted a beautiful, sweeping portrait of our Savior through His word, you have truly blessed & encouraged my faith!
May the Lord Jesus continue to bless & inspire you with overflowing rivers of wisdom, knowledge, and insight into His word that you might bless many people for His glory. :)

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Judith, for your kind comment and visit! I'm so glad you found me!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Wow, Suzanne, I am so blessed by your comment! I believe the Lord brought you here to encourage me to persevere in this time-intensive ministry, and I am delighted that you were blessed also! There are no coincidences with God, and I always marvel at how He brings people and circumstances together with His perfect timing!
Love in Him,
Laurie

LAURIE said...

Awesome study of the scriptures. I am so blessed to see you today over at THANKFUL THURSDAY sharing His Word. :)

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Laurie, for your kind words, and for hosting Thankful Thursday!
God bless,
Laurie

Ms. Kathleen said...

What a fabulous post on the beautiful and gentle nature of our God... AMEN!

http://theemptynestexpress.com

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you, Ms. Kathleen, for your kind encouragement! Praises to our God of love!
Blessings,
Laurie

Judith said...

He is my sustainer, is one of the things that you mentioned. I have found this to be especially true lately. Thank you.