Without beginning and without end, Jesus you are. Without you nothing that exists ever existed. Jesus you are the creator of all that is created, and without you nothing is created. How wonderful it is to recognize our creator. The Author of Life has been made known.
All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
Matthew 11:27 World English Bible
Sometimes words remain hidden to me, then a light is switched on, and I discover something new I have never noticed. At times for me it is a specific word that draws me in. While reading Matthew 11:27, the word “ἐπιγινώσκει” stands out. This in Greek means to know, or to recognize. To know on a personal level, fully acquainted, or to know thoroughly; Strongs 1921. In modern Greek “γνωρίζει” is used.
Additionally, if it were rendered with the word recognize instead, it may present a different perspective. I ask myself often while reading the Old Testament if I recognize Jesus’ presence. For some time, I was obsessed with highlighting specific references to Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah. However, since beginning to read the Septuagint and N.T Greek I recognize the use of the English translation of LORD. LORD is used for the covenant name Yahweh, or the tetragrammaton YHWH. In Greek the New Testament writers wrote the name “κύριος” when referring to Jesus Christ. Without explanation and unapologetically, the apostles boldly confessed that Jesus Christ is κύριος. I am sure you have heard many Christians say, “Jesus is LORD”. Sadly, I do not hear, “Jesus is Yahweh”, as often. I aim to break the tradition of Babylon in which the Hebrews stopped saying Yahweh. Why would I hold to a tradition that originated from captivity?
I and the Father are one. John 10:30 World English Bible
No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. John 1:18 NLT
I put the two verses above for a reason. To show the relationship of the Father and the Son as One God. Secondly, to bring recognition that no one has ever seen God the Father except the Son. I like the New Living Translation’s use of the word “unique one”. This is significant to me because the Greek word that is commonly translated as “begotten Son” comes from the word “μονογενὴς”. Mono meaning only, or alone. Genos meaning offspring, family, race, nation, or kind.
From a single verse I recognize Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. He is Yahweh and always was. By Grace Jesus Christ came and delivered many in the Old and New. By Grace He revealed God the Father and Himself in the New Testament. I want to leave you with something else to chew on. Currently there are at least eight translations that say Jesus saved the people out of Egypt in Jude 1:5. To note, the NLT, ESV, and the LSB say Jesus instead of Lord.
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