Lesson 8: Son of God. Humiliation, Exaltation, Justification.

The Son of God was humiliated and exalted so that he could die for our sins. First we will discuss his humiliation. Philippians 2:6-8 refers to the humiliation of Christ. "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!"

The first step of humiliation was Jesus' Conception. Matthew 1:20 describes the power of the conception of Christ. "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

The second step of humiliation was Jesus' Birth. Let's look at Luke 2:6-7, one of the famous birth passages. "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn"

The third step of humiliation was Jesus' Suffering. Jesus suffered greatly for us because it was how he was able to pay the price of hell in our place. Mark 15:15 describes his suffering. "Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified"

The fourth step of humiliation was Crucifixion. Crucifixion is the method in which Christ shed His blood and died for us. Luke 23:33 describes his crucifixion. "When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-one on his right, the other on his left"

The fifth step of humiliation is His death. When Jesus died on the cross, it was finished. Matthew 27:50 describes his death. "When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit"The sixth step of humiliation is His burial. Mark 15:46 describes Christ's burial. "So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb"

Christ suffers humiliation to take our place, and His humiliation means we are forgiven. 2 Corinthians 5:12 declares "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God". But let's also look at a couple verses from Isaiah 53, a powerful Old Testament prophecy. "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed"

After His humiliation, Jesus was exalted. Jesus was exalted to guarantee our salvation. What were the steps of His exaltation?

The first step of exaltation is His descent into Hell. Hell is a real place where souls that have died without Christ are kept in a prison for spirits, to suffer. 1 Peter 3:18-19 declares "For Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison". When Jesus preached to the spirits, this does not mean that He gave them forgiveness and gave them a second chance. Instead, he declares to the spirits that He has won the battle, and the wicked have lost. And by not accepting Him, they now suffer in Hell. Hebrews 9:27 declares "Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment". Also when Jesus descended to hell, Jesus didn't suffer more for our sins. This is a heretical teaching that teaches Christ's death on the cross wasn't enough, even when He said "It is finished".

The second step of exaltation is His resurrection. Christ resurrection assures us that He is the Son of God, evidenced in Romans 1:4. "And who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord". Romans 4:25 also assures us forgiveness. "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification". Christ's resurrection assures us that we we will rise to eternal life! As 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 declares, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him".

The third step of exaltation is His Ascension. He ascended to Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. Christ assure us that we will ascend to heaven too, in John 14:2-3. "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, i will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am"

The fourth step of exaltation is that He sits at God's right hand, exercising power and authority. This is evidenced in Ephesians 1:20-22. "He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church."

The fifth step of Exaltation is that He will return to judge the world. This means that we will be exalted along with Christ. When Christ returns, the dead will be resurrected and he will judge both the living and the dead, the righteous and unrighteous. Matthew 25:31 declares "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats".

Last, let's discuss Justification. Justification means that we are declared innocent. 2 Corinthians 5:19 declares "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

How does God justify? Christ took our wounds, our sins, and our curse, evidenced in Galatians 3:13. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a course for us, for it is written: cursed is everyone who is hung from a tree".

For whose sins did Christ pay? Did he die only for a chosen few? God forbid! Christ paid for the sins of everyone on earth! Consider the famous passage, John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". But also consider 1 John 2:2. "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.".

But if Jesus died for the sins of everybody, why isn't everybody going to heaven? Mark 16:16 answers that question. "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned". Apart from Christ, there is no justification.

God's verdict of justification becomes ours through faith in Christ, evidenced in Romans 5:1. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ".

One last thing about Justification is that we are justified by grace. Not by anything we can do. Romans 11:6 declares "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace". There is nothing we can do to be more justified. Roman Catholicism and even Rick Warren's Saddleback Church teach we become more righteous and justified by our works. God doesn't justify us because we have faith. He justifies us simply because it is God's verdict. To be declared "not guilty" is not the same as forgiveness. After God declared us "not guilty" it is up to us to have faith in Him. But when God declared our justification, does that mean the whole world is justified? Certainly not, for outside of Christ no one is justified.

The steps of humiliation and the steps of exaltation is the Gospel. Believe and have faith that Jesus suffered and died for us, and then only to be resurrected and exalted, ascending into heaven to sit at God's right hand. And by His Death and Resurrection, we are justified! Receive Christ's Justification by placing your faith in Him today!