Book: Understanding the Bible 101 – Chapter 8: The Person and Work of Jesus
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- Jun 11
- 7 min read
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." , Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
If you’ve been following along in this series, you know we’ve spent a lot of time talking about the "bones" of the Bible, how it’s structured, where it came from, and why we can trust it. But eventually, you have to stop looking at the map and start looking at the destination. You have to stop analyzing the frame and look at the portrait.
In the Christian faith, and specifically within the pages of Scripture, that destination is a Person.
Everything in the Old Testament is pointing forward to Him. Everything in the New Testament is pointing back to Him (and forward to His return). If the Bible were a symphony, Jesus would be the recurring melody that ties every movement together. If it were a locked door, Jesus would be the only key that fits.
But who is He, really? Was He just a good teacher? A misunderstood revolutionary? A divine being pretending to be a man? Or was He something far more complex and beautiful? To understand the Bible, you must understand the Person and the Work of Jesus Christ.
The Mystery of the Person: Fully God, Fully Man
When we talk about the "Person" of Jesus, we are stepping into what theologians call the Hypostatic Union. Now, don't let the fancy Greek terms scare you off. It’s actually a beautiful concept that explains how Jesus can be the bridge between a holy God and a broken humanity.
To be our Savior, Jesus had to be two things at once: fully divine and fully human.
1. He Is Fully God (The Deity of Christ)
The Bible doesn't mince words about this. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Later in that same chapter, it clarifies that the "Word" became flesh and dwelt among us.
Jesus wasn't a "god-like" man or a created being who was promoted to divine status. He is the eternal Son of God. He was there at creation. He possesses all the attributes of God: He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. In the Assemblies of God, we hold firmly to the Statement of Fundamental Truths, which declares the Lord Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God, sharing the same nature as the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Why does His deity matter? Because only God has the authority to forgive sins. Only God has the power to conquer death. If Jesus were just a man, His death might have been inspiring, but it wouldn't have been saving.
2. He Is Fully Man (The Incarnation)
At the same time, Jesus was a real human being. He didn't just "look" like a man or "possess" a body like a ghost in a shell. He was born of a woman. He had a human DNA sequence. He grew tired. He felt hunger. He experienced localized pain. He wept at the grave of His friend.
The Virgin Birth is the miraculous mechanism of the incarnation. It was the moment the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, allowing the eternal Son to enter time and space without inheriting the "sin nature" that has plagued humanity since Adam.
He had to be human to represent us. He had to live under the same Law we fail to keep. He had to suffer the same temptations we face, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
The Work of Jesus: Why Did He Come?
If the "Person" of Jesus describes who He is, the "Work" of Jesus describes what He did. His mission wasn't just to give us a better moral code or to show us how to be nicer to our neighbors. His mission was a rescue operation.
The Life of Christ: The Second Adam
Jesus lived the life we were supposed to live. In theology, we often refer to Him as the "Second Adam." Where the first Adam was placed in a perfect garden and failed God's one command, the Second Adam was placed in a fallen wilderness and perfectly obeyed every command.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus didn't just talk about the Kingdom of God; He demonstrated it. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead. These weren't just "party tricks" to get a crowd; they were signs that the King had arrived to put the world back together. For us in the Pentecostal tradition, we see Jesus’ Spirit-empowered ministry as the blueprint for how we are called to live and serve today.
The Cross: The Heart of the Gospel
Everything in Jesus’ life led to the cross. It wasn't a tragic accident or a plan gone wrong. It was the very reason He was born.
When Jesus died on the cross, something cosmic happened. We call this Substitutionary Atonement.
Substitutionary: He stood in our place. He took the bullet meant for us.
Atonement: He made "at-one-ment" between God and man by paying the debt of sin that we could never afford.
On the cross, a "divine exchange" took place. Our sin, our shame, and our death sentence were placed on Him. In return, His righteousness, His standing before the Father, and His life were given to us. This is the "Good News", that salvation is a finished work, not a wage we earn.
Divine Healing: A Benefit of the Atonement
A distinctive part of our heritage is the belief that "deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers" (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16). Because Jesus took our infirmities on the cross, we believe that God still heals today. The "Work" of Jesus isn't just about getting our souls to heaven; it’s about the restoration of our whole being, spirit, soul, and body.
The Victory: Resurrection and Ascension
The story doesn't end at the tomb. If Jesus had stayed dead, we would be, as the Apostle Paul said, "of all people most to be pitied." But on the third day, the stone was rolled away.
The Bodily Resurrection
The resurrection is the receipt that the payment for sin was accepted by God. It proves that Jesus is who He said He was. It wasn't just a "spiritual" resurrection or a "memory" living on in the hearts of His followers. It was a physical, bodily resurrection. He ate fish with His disciples. He showed them His scars.
The resurrection changed everything. It turned a group of frightened, hiding disciples into world-changing martyrs. It proved that death no longer has the final word.
The Ascension and Present Ministry
After forty days of teaching His disciples about the Kingdom, Jesus ascended into heaven. But He didn't go "on vacation." He is currently seated at the right hand of God the Father.
What is He doing there?
Interceding: He is our High Priest, praying for us and representing us before the Father.
Ruling: He is the Head of the Church, directing His body on earth through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Preparing: He is preparing a place for us and waiting for the moment the Father says, "Go get your bride."
Why This Changes How You Read the Bible
Once you see the Person and Work of Jesus, the Bible stops being a collection of disconnected stories and becomes a single, grand narrative of redemption.
In Genesis, He is the Seed of the woman who will crush the serpent's head.
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb whose blood protects us from judgment.
In Leviticus, He is our High Priest and the ultimate Sacrifice.
In Psalms, He is our Shepherd and our King.
In Isaiah, He is the Suffering Servant.
In the Gospels, He is the Word made flesh.
In Revelation, He is the Alpha and Omega, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
If you read the Bible without looking for Jesus, you’re missing the point. You might find some good moral advice or some interesting history, but you won't find life. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
Living in the Light of His Work
So, what do we do with this? Understanding the Bible isn't just about accumulating facts; it’s about transformation.
First, we respond in faith. We recognize that we can't save ourselves. We stop trying to "be good enough" and start resting in the fact that He was "good enough" for us. We repent of our self-sufficiency and put our trust in His finished work.
Second, we live in power. Because of the Work of Jesus, we have access to the same Holy Spirit that raised Him from the dead. We don't have to live defeated by sin or paralyzed by fear. The work Jesus started in us, He is faithful to complete.
Third, we live with purpose. We are now His ambassadors. We carry the message of His Person and Work to a world that is desperately searching for hope. We tell the story of the King who died for His subjects so that His subjects could become His brothers and sisters.
Understanding the Bible 101 isn't just a course; it's a journey into the heart of God. And the heart of God is found in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Reflection Questions:
Why was it necessary for Jesus to be both 100% God and 100% man?
How does the "Divine Exchange" on the cross change the way you view your mistakes and failures?
In what ways does the reality of the Resurrection give you hope in your current circumstances?
If Jesus is currently interceding (praying) for you in heaven, how does that change your prayer life today?
A Prayer of Response: Lord Jesus, I thank You for who You are. You are the Eternal Son, yet You became one of us. Thank You for Your perfect life, Your sacrificial death, and Your glorious resurrection. I choose today to rest in Your finished work. Forgive my sins, heal my heart, and lead me by Your Spirit. Help me to see You on every page of Your Word. Amen.
The 'Zinger' Hook
If Jesus is who He says He is, and if He did what the Bible claims He did, then He isn't just a historical figure to be studied, He is a King to be obeyed. The question isn't just "What do you think of Jesus?" but rather, "What will you do with Him?" Because one day, every knee will bow. Will yours bow in joyful surrender now, or in startled realization then?
Layne McDonald, Ph.D., is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, a father, and a scholar committed to the authority of Scripture and the mission of the Church. With a background in theology and leadership, Dr. McDonald specializes in creating resources that bridge the gap between deep biblical truth and everyday practical living. His work is rooted in the Pentecostal tradition and aligned with the Assemblies of God, focusing on helping people understand the Bible, grow in their faith, and lead with wisdom and integrity.
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