The King Who Brings the Good News

Session Focus

If the gospel is good news, it must be about a person. At the center of Christianity is not a system of ideas or a set of moral teachings, but Jesus Christ Himself. The good news is that God has acted in history by sending His Son—the promised King—who reveals God perfectly and reigns with all authority. To understand the gospel, we must see clearly who Jesus is.

Doctrinal Affirmations: The
Person & Work of Christ

Jesus Is Fully God

Scripture presents the person of Jesus not merely as a teacher or prophet, but as truly and eternally God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God” (John 1:1). He is not a created being, but the eternal Son, sharing fully in the divine nature.

The New Testament consistently affirms this. Christ is “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15), the one in whom “all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form” (Col 2:9). He does what only God can do—He forgives sins (Mark 2:5-7), exercises authority over creation (Mark 4:39-41), and receives worship (Matt 14:33).

To see Jesus is to see God (John 14:6-9). He does not merely point us to God—He is the full and final revelation of God.

Jesus Is Fully Man

At the same time, Jesus is fully and truly human. “Now the Word (eternal Son) became flesh and took up residence among us” (John 1:14). The eternal Son did not cease to be God, but took on a complete human nature (1 John 1:1-4). In theology, He is referred to as the Incarnate Son.

He experienced hunger (Matt 4:2), weariness (John 4:6), sorrow (John 11:35), and temptation (Matt 4:1-11), yet without sin (Heb 4:15; Heb 5:7-8). He lived a real human life in full dependence on the Father (John 5:19; John 6:38).

This is essential for our salvation. Only one who is truly human can represent us, obey in our place, and stand as our substitute. Jesus is the last Adam, succeeding where the first Adam failed (Rom 5:18-19; 1 Cor 15:45).

The Incarnate Son Comes as Prophet, Priest, and King

Because Jesus is fully God and fully man, He is uniquely qualified to fulfill the roles through which God brings salvation. The Old Testament anticipated a coming figure who would speak for God, represent the people before God, and reign over God’s people. In Jesus, these roles come together perfectly.

As Prophet, Jesus reveals God to us. He is not merely a messenger of God’s Word—He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). God has spoken fully and finally in His Son (Heb 1:1-2). To hear Jesus is to hear God.

As Priest, Jesus represents us before God. He offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin and continually intercedes for His people (Heb 7:25-27; Heb 9:11-14). Because He is both God and man, He alone can reconcile us to God.

As King, Jesus reigns with all authority to accomplish and apply salvation. From the beginning, Scripture anticipates a ruler who will establish God’s kingdom (Gen 3:15; 2 Sam 7:12-13; Isa 9:6-7). Jesus announces that this kingdom has arrived: “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

His life, miracles, authority over demons, and power over creation all reveal that He is the promised King. After His resurrection, He declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18). He is not merely a Savior to be considered—He is the reigning Lord who demands our allegiance.

Jesus Alone Brings Salvation

Because of who He is—the eternal Son made flesh—and because of what He does as Prophet, Priest, and King, Jesus alone is able to save. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human” (1 Tim 2:5).

·        As Prophet, He reveals God to us.

·        As Priest, He reconciles us to God.

·        As King, He brings us under God’s saving rule.

There is no other mediator, no other Savior, and no other name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

The gospel, therefore, is not about what we do for God, but about who Jesus is and what He has come to accomplish (Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10). Everything the gospel offers flows from the person and work of Christ! As Charles Wesley has celebrated in Hark! The Herald Angels Sing:

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.

Devotional Rhythms: Fixing Our Eyes on Christ

  The Meaning

The Christian life is sustained as we continually fix our attention on Jesus Christ. We do not grow by turning inward to ourselves, but by beholding Him as He is revealed in Scripture (Heb 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18).

As we see Christ—His authority, humility, obedience, and glory—our hearts are drawn to trust Him, love Him, and follow Him.

The Practice

During your Daily Quiet Time this week, focus on seeing Christ in each passage you read.

Whether in the Gospels, the Psalms, or the Epistles, ask:

• What does this reveal about Christ—His identity, authority, or reign?
• How does this passage point me to Him?
• How should I respond to Him today?

Continue working on your Scripture Memory verse. Repeat it throughout the day, reflecting on how it reveals Christ and calls you to trust and follow Him.

The Rhythm

Begin learning to return to what you read throughout the day. Let the truth about Christ stay before you—shaping your thoughts, guiding your responses, and deepening your attention to Him.

Over time, this steady focus on Christ—through reading, remembering, and reflecting—will deepen both your understanding of Him and your love for Him.

For further help, see Appendix: Bible Meditation

Discipling Others: Pointing People to Christ

Share

Help others understand clearly who Jesus is. Many people are familiar with His name but unclear about His identity. Open Scripture with them and show that He is not merely a teacher or example, but the eternal Son of God who has come in the flesh and now reigns as King.

Use simple, clear passages such as John 1:1-14 or Col 1:15-20 and explain what they reveal about Him. Keep the focus on Christ Himself—His identity, authority, and worth.

Model

Model a life that is consciously centered on Christ. Let others see that your thinking, decisions, and responses are shaped by who Jesus is, not merely by circumstances.

Let them hear you speak about Christ naturally. Refer to Scripture. Return to your memory verse in conversation. Show that knowing Christ is not an abstract idea, but a living reality that shapes how you live.

Guide

Guide others to behold Christ for themselves in Scripture. Read the Gospels with them and help them ask: What does this show us about Jesus? What does this mean for us?

Encourage them to begin Scripture Memory with you. Memorize a verse together, repeat it regularly, and talk about what it reveals about Christ. Help them see that God’s Word is not only to be read, but to be remembered and lived.

Ask simple but direct questions: Who do you say Jesus is? What do you see in Him? How should you respond to Him?

Discipleship begins by seeing Christ clearly and grows as we help others see and daily remember Him.

Questions for Discussion

1.       Who is Jesus according to Scripture?

2.      Why is it important that Jesus is both fully God and fully man?

3.      What does it mean that Jesus is King?

4.      How does understanding who Jesus is shape how we respond to Him?

5.      What stands out to you most about Jesus from this session?

Go Forward

With Christ

Spend time this week in Gospel passages, focusing on who Jesus is, and thank Him daily for revealing God to you.

With Others

Share one truth about Jesus with someone else this week.

On Mission

Look for an opportunity to speak about Jesus naturally in conversation.

Scripture Memory (SM)

Col 1:15
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

Recommended Resources

J. I. Packer, Knowing God
A classic introduction to knowing God personally through Christ and not merely knowing about Him.

Jen Wilkin, None Like Him
A helpful exploration of God’s attributes that clarifies how God is unlike us and worthy of our trust.

R. C. Sproul, The Holiness of God
A compelling presentation of God’s holiness that helps us understand the significance of Christ.

Tim Keller, Jesus the King
An accessible and insightful look at the identity and mission of Jesus through the Gospel of Mark.

John Stott, Basic Christianity
A clear and compelling explanation of who Jesus is and why He matters.