Christ's hidden attributes and first Advent (cont)
In general, Christ's arrival as a suffering servant which should have been clearly understood from Isaiah 53 was largely missed even by the 12 disciples who expected a conquering king. This was to be in the future; as was made clear by the reading of the scroll when Jesus read Isaiah 61:1 and stopped before 61:2 which involves His return. Christ knew what was in the heart of men ( John 2:24-25) so He didn't need anyone to explain themselves to Him. This discernment in the Spirit is a spiritual gift; but with Christ who was God in the flesh He had the fullness of the Spirit without limit ( John 3:34).
Christ also came to forgive men's sins. This was considered blasphemy by the religious leaders who immediately tried to stone Him in John 8:59 after these claims in verse 58 as being the "I am". Clearly; the contentious crowd at His trial before the crucifixion who demanded that He be crucified and Barabbas a murderer released showed the blindness of the condition of an unregenerate human heart. Judas Iscariot recognized through worldly sorrow that Christ was a righteous man that was betrayed ( Matthew 27:4 technically an "innocent man"); but the Centurion showed saving faith ( Matthew 27:54).
These passages demonstrate the importance of recognizing Christ as God the Son; not merely a good teacher or righteous man (see Matthew 16:13-20). The hidden significance of these things is still blinding the unregenerate ( 2 Cor. 4:3-4); and the Jews have been blinded until the time of the end as we seee in Romans 11:25. It is "in part" as there are Jews who recognize Christ (called Messianic Jews by some) but until Jesus is returning according to Zechariah 12-14 the nation as a whole won't recognize Him. This is quite remarkable as the world in general knows they are hiding from Christ and God's judgment during the sixth seal. This; no doubt is because of the epicenter of Antichrist's deception there.
In general, Christ's arrival as a suffering servant which should have been clearly understood from Isaiah 53 was largely missed even by the 12 disciples who expected a conquering king. This was to be in the future; as was made clear by the reading of the scroll when Jesus read Isaiah 61:1 and stopped before 61:2 which involves His return. Christ knew what was in the heart of men ( John 2:24-25) so He didn't need anyone to explain themselves to Him. This discernment in the Spirit is a spiritual gift; but with Christ who was God in the flesh He had the fullness of the Spirit without limit ( John 3:34).
Christ also came to forgive men's sins. This was considered blasphemy by the religious leaders who immediately tried to stone Him in John 8:59 after these claims in verse 58 as being the "I am". Clearly; the contentious crowd at His trial before the crucifixion who demanded that He be crucified and Barabbas a murderer released showed the blindness of the condition of an unregenerate human heart. Judas Iscariot recognized through worldly sorrow that Christ was a righteous man that was betrayed ( Matthew 27:4 technically an "innocent man"); but the Centurion showed saving faith ( Matthew 27:54).
These passages demonstrate the importance of recognizing Christ as God the Son; not merely a good teacher or righteous man (see Matthew 16:13-20). The hidden significance of these things is still blinding the unregenerate ( 2 Cor. 4:3-4); and the Jews have been blinded until the time of the end as we seee in Romans 11:25. It is "in part" as there are Jews who recognize Christ (called Messianic Jews by some) but until Jesus is returning according to Zechariah 12-14 the nation as a whole won't recognize Him. This is quite remarkable as the world in general knows they are hiding from Christ and God's judgment during the sixth seal. This; no doubt is because of the epicenter of Antichrist's deception there.
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