There are two very useful ways of studying any section of the Bible: the panoramic method, in which we take a broad survey over a large section of scripture; and the microscopic method, where we make a detail examination of a small section. This study will be microscopic, for we are to study part of Titus 2:13 and the whole of verse 14. As we adjust our microscope, by mixing prayer,faith and spiritual alertness, we shall see seven aspects of truth gathered up in this one fragment of scripture, and we shall see something that ‘ the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, has done. We shall, in fact, see certain things that only ‘ a great God ‘ could do.
- ONLY A ‘GREAT GOD COULD GIVE.’
Titus 2:13 reads, ” The great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave …” All other gods demand and have to be placated or appeased, and the suppliant must give something – maybe money or food; but with our God it is different, for He gives. It is His nature and prerogative to give – look up and compare John 3:16; 1 Tim.6:17. What a mercy this is, because we can give nothing to Him that is acceptable to Him till we have first receive what He has given to us – look up Psm. 116:13!
2. ONLY A ‘GREAT GOD’ COULD GIVE HIMSELF.
In the N.T. we read seven times that Christ gave Himself for us – look up Luke 22:19,20; Gal.1:4,2:20; Eph.5:2,25; 1 Tim.2:6;Titus 2:14. Here are three questions:-
1. Who gave Himself ? Our Saviour Jesus Christ (v:13)
2. Why did He give Himself ? ” our Saviour ” He is our saviour who brought us to God. look up 1 Tim. 1:15 ; 1 Pet. 3:18.
3. How did He give Himself ? He gave Himself voluntarily. Psm. 40:7,8; John 10:18 and vicariously , ( Isa. 53:5,6 ; 1 Pet. 2:24 ) For whom did He do this ? The answer is given in our key-verse – He did it for us.
3. ONLY A ‘ GREAT GOD ‘ COULD GIVE HIMSELF FOR SINNERS.
He gave Himself for us. To whom does this ‘ us ‘ refer to?
1. He gave Himself for the world. ( 1 Tim. 2:6 ; 1 John 2:2) He gave Himself to make salvation available to all people.
2. He gave Himself for the church. That is, He gave Himself in a special way for believers, for Christians, as Eph.5:25 tells us.
3. He gave Himself for me. This is what we read in Gal. 2:20, and the fact that Christ gave Himself for ” me ” tells me that He died as my substitute and died to make me HIS OWN !
MORE TO COME