Having considered the Father, we now turn to Christ the Son. It can be safely assumed that out of the three persons, he is the most well known in the Trinity. The Christian faith, after all, bears his title. While it may be that our understanding of Him is most fully formed, we must be careful that we do not presume that our understanding as complete. Again, this is simply a brief survey.
Jesus is titled the Son (Matt. 3:17; Mk. 15:39; Lk. 1:35; Jn. 11:27). It is an identity with which he holds eternally, and essentially refers to his divinity. It is not a reference to his being made or born by the Father. The Son is the incarnate God (Matt. 1-23; Jn. 1:14; Phil. 2:5-8). That is to say that he entered into it as a man and though God, he is also fully human. He was present and active in creation (Col. 1:16) and upholds and sustains it (Heb. 1:13). He is perfect and sinless (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet 2:22). He is crucified and raised in payment and victory over sins. He is the target of the believer's faith (Acts 20:21; Rom. 3:22; Heb. 12:1-2) and the security upon which the promises are kept (1 Cor. 15:5-26; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). Christ has and shows his love for the world (Rom. 8:35-39; Rev. 4-6). He stands as the prime example of how humanity is to live (Col. 2:6; 1 Jn. 2:6). Christ submits to the Father's will (Matt. 26:42; Mk. 14:36) and along with him sends forth the Spirit (Jn. 14:26, 16:5-7). He mediates between us and God, and does so with a real understanding of our struggles (Heb. 2:14-18; 1 Tim. 2:5). He is the head of the Church (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18) and the one whose example we follow (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Pet. 2:11-21). He fulfils the Law (Matt. 5:17-18; Rom. 10:4; 2 Cor. 1:20). He is the only one who is worthy to usher in the final judgement (Rev. 5) and he will return, and with him comes the Kingdom (Matt. 24:30; Tit. 2:13; Rev. 19:11-16).
In many ways, the Son is the focal point for the Christian faith. This is a natural consequence of his role in the gospel, being that he was the one who came to fulfil it and the person in whom we put our trust and are saved. Perhaps more significantly however is the fact that as the incarnate Son, Christ (and the gospel), reveals God to us. He is the final and full revelation of God, not only of who he is, but also of how we ought to relate to Him (Jn. 1:1-14; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:1-2). It is right then for us to commit a large portion of our devotional lives to a consideration of Jesus. This is not to imply some sort of neglect of the Father or the Spirit or indeed the triune God. Rather we see that as we grow in our understanding of Christ, we come to know God better, and so are enabled to grow in other areas of life and understanding as well.
Christ is the first point of reference and engagement in every aspect of the Christian life. When our lives are considered in light of Him, the proper response is thanks and worship. We are to marvel at his goodness and power, and marvel at the most profound truth that he uses those things to serve us. We are to recognise our need for his atoning work on the cross and give him thanks. At its heart, seeing Christ reveals to us our place, both as sinners in desperate need of a saviour, and sinners whose desperate needs have been met. This is God's grace, and while this ought to arouse humility within, it should also arouse confidence and peace. Christ's completed work has already won a glorious and joyful eternity. Through him we know God, and through him we can live with God now and forever.
In consideration of Christ today, give him praise. Consider him as John does in Revelation 1:5-6, as faithful witness, firstborn from the dead and ruler of all. And give him thanks for what he has done, for loving us and freeing us from our sins by his blood. It is, after all, nothing short of miraculous, the provision of a need which we had no rightful claim. It is what he deserves, and it will be given. For,
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honour and glory and praise!"
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honour and glory and power,
for ever and ever! Amen." (Rev. 5:12-14)
Still to come, a consideration of the Holy Spirit, and of course, the doctrine of the Trinity.