Jesus' Entitlements

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The status of born-again Christians in God's family circle is that of an
adopted child. (Rom 8:15, Gal 4:5, Eph 1:15)

Jesus' status is many times more superior than theirs because he's in God's
family circle as a paternal child; in point of fact, as God's one and only
paternal child. (John 1:14 John 1:18 John 3:16, John 3:18, 1John 4:9)

Regardless of how people believe Jesus might've obtained his paternal
status, and regardless of whether his paternal status is actual or
administrative, the status entitles Jesus to be known as God's direct
descendant-- a position whereby the rules of heredity entitle Jesus to be
known by his Father's name, which most everybody knows is Jehovah, a.k.a.
Yahweh. (cf. Heb 1:4-5)

Now if God was to actually father a direct descendant, the result would be as
divine as Himself just as when a man fathers a direct descendant, the result
is as human as himself, i.e. more of his own kind. So then, in his status as
God's direct descendant, Jesus is entitled to be known as deity, i.e. the one
true deity.

NOTE: I'm not suggesting that Jesus' relationship with God is biological. The
thing is: I don't know how else to explain their situation except in terms
familiar to us all.
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[bdavidc]

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The status of born-again Christians in God's family circle is that of an
adopted child. (Rom 8:15, Gal 4:5, Eph 1:15)

Jesus' status is many times more superior than theirs because he's in God's
family circle as a paternal child; in point of fact, as God's one and only
paternal child. (John 1:14 John 1:18 John 3:16, John 3:18, 1John 4:9)

Regardless of how people believe Jesus might've obtained his paternal
status, and regardless of whether his paternal status is actual or
administrative, the status entitles Jesus to be known as God's direct
descendant-- a position whereby the rules of heredity entitle Jesus to be
known by his Father's name, which most everybody knows is Jehovah, a.k.a.
Yahweh. (cf. Heb 1:4-5)

Now if God was to actually father a direct descendant, the result would be as
divine as Himself just as when a man fathers a direct descendant, the result
is as human as himself, i.e. more of his own kind. So then, in his status as
God's direct descendant, Jesus is entitled to be known as deity, i.e. the one
true deity.

NOTE: I'm not suggesting that Jesus' relationship with God is biological. The
thing is: I don't know how else to explain their situation except in terms
familiar to us all.
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I see your effort to bring together the biblical teaching of Jesus being the Son of the Father and His equality with the Father and the idea of believers also being adopted as sons of God (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5). But let’s be clear that, while Jesus is called the “only begotten Son” (John 1: 14; 3:16), we should be extremely cautious about importing human concepts of biological descent or hereditary status into the Word of God. The Bible repeatedly tells us that the term “only begotten” (monogenēs) in Greek means “unique” or “one of a kind” and has nothing to do with the concept of “biologically produced.” The Bible is very clear that Jesus is God and has always existed (John 1: 1; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”). This was not a state that He came into, but a state that He has always been in. Hebrews 1: 8 says God the Father called the Son “God” when He said to Him, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever” (Hebrews 1:8). It’s also clear from Scripture that the name Jehovah (YHWH) was not delegated to Jesus because of status or descent. In Isaiah 42: 8, the Bible tells us that God will not give His glory to another. Yet, in Philippians 2: 10–11 we read that every knee will bow to Jesus and every tongue will confess Him as Lord. The reason people are bowing to Him and confessing Him as Lord is not because He inherited a title, it is because He is God. We can get ahead of ourselves and try to rationalize divine realities with these simple human analogies, but in the end, we need to let the Word speak and the Word clearly says Jesus is eternally divine, one with the Father, and worthy of all honor, not because of a delegated role, but because of His nature.

 

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It doesn't take long for most Bible readers to realize that much of the
information we're given relevant to the Word's incarnation doesn't
harmonize; and I suspect that's because we're looking at an incarnation that
is both human and divine, viz: an incarnation who is temporal and eternal
simultaneously; which can be very confusing. In point of fact, Jesus often
antagonized his opponents by sometimes speaking of himself as deity and at
other times speaking of himself as human.
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● Isa 52:13 . . Behold, My servant will prosper, he will be high and lifted up,
and greatly exalted.

In recognition for the unusual extent of his dedication to God and man, Phil
2:6-11 says God gave Jesus the name that is above every name. Well; those
of us schooled in the old testament know that the name above every name
is spelled with the four-letter tetragrammaton YHWH and/or YHVH.

The correct pronunciation is currently unknown. Sometimes it's pronounced
Yehovah, sometimes Jehovah, and sometimes Yahweh. The appellation is so
sacred among pious Jews that they make every effort to avoid speaking it
except under very special circumstances.

Anyway, because Jesus has that name, he is entitled to be worshipped and
revered by everyone up in the sky, everyone down on the ground, and
everyone under the ground, viz: the full round of nature; and then some,
even the angels. (Heb 1:6)

I'd imagine there will be some very bitter folks who will resist bending the
knee in reverence to Jesus' name; nevertheless they will, and possibly by
force if necessary because the dignity of the name has to take priority over
their personal feelings about Jesus.
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[bdavidc]

It doesn't take long for most Bible readers to realize that much of the
information we're given relevant to the Word's incarnation doesn't
harmonize; and I suspect that's because we're looking at an incarnation that
is both human and divine, viz: an incarnation who is temporal and eternal
simultaneously; which can be very confusing. In point of fact, Jesus often
antagonized his opponents by sometimes speaking of himself as deity and at
other times speaking of himself as human.

The tension you are sensing isn’t from the Bible, it’s from applying human logic to something that the Scripture itself is already clear about. The Word of God doesn’t contradict itself when it comes to who Jesus is. He is both fully God and fully man. That’s not a contradiction, that’s the truth of the incarnation.

John 1:1 reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” But then verse 14 says, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” That’s not a tension, it’s a revelation. When Jesus came in the flesh, He didn’t give up His deity. He added humanity to His divinity. Philippians 2:6–8 puts it succinctly: Jesus existed in the form of God, but He emptied Himself and took the form of a servant and became human. He did not stop being God, He humbled Himself to walk among us.

When Jesus spoke like a man, that was because He was a man. When He spoke like God, that was because He is God. There’s no “flip-flopping” there. In fact, when He said in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am”, He was flatly claiming to be eternally God using the very name that God gave to Moses in Exodus 3:14. His Jewish opponents didn’t misunderstand Him there, they knew exactly what He was claiming, and that’s why they were scooping up stones to kill Him.

No, the Bible doesn’t contradict itself, and Jesus wasn’t being deceptive. The only reason it seems like a tension is if you’re trying to make Scripture fit your own mental system instead of just believing what it says. You either receive the Word as it is, or you try to make it something it’s not. Jesus is the eternal Son of God, who became flesh for our salvation. That’s what the Bible says, point-blank.

 

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In the old testament economy, it was customary for a father's eldest son to
inherit the entirety of his estate. In time, it became a law for Moses' people
whereby the custom was revised a bit so that all of a father's sons could
inherit something except that his eldest should receive at least twice as
much as the junior siblings. (Deut 21:15-17)

Jesus has quite an advantage in this area of his association with God. The
thing is; according to John 1:14 John 1:18 John 3:16, John 3:18, and 1John
4:9, Jesus is God's one and only paternal descendant. So then Jesus has no
challengers in regard to his Father's estate, viz: Jesus has no paternal
siblings so he's entitled to the whole shebang.

● Heb 1:1-2 . . In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the
prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has
spoken to us by His son, whom He appointed heir of all things,

We're talking about more than material wealth here, we're also talking about
political superiority.

● 1Pet 3:21-22 . . Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's
right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

It is very difficult to estimate the extent of God's estate seeing as how it
takes in the whole cosmos-- all of its forms of life, matter, and energy. And
that's only the portion of God's estate with which I'm familiar. There's more
yet. (John 16:15)
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[bdavidc]

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In the old testament economy, it was customary for a father's eldest son to
inherit the entirety of his estate. In time, it became a law for Moses' people
whereby the custom was revised a bit so that all of a father's sons could
inherit something except that his eldest should receive at least twice as
much as the junior siblings. (Deut 21:15-17)

Jesus has quite an advantage in this area of his association with God. The
thing is; according to John 1:14 John 1:18 John 3:16, John 3:18, and 1John
4:9, Jesus is God's one and only paternal descendant. So then Jesus has no
challengers in regard to his Father's estate, viz: Jesus has no paternal
siblings so he's entitled to the whole shebang.

● Heb 1:1-2 . . In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the
prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has
spoken to us by His son, whom He appointed heir of all things,

We're talking about more than material wealth here, we're also talking about
political superiority.

● 1Pet 3:21-22 . . Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's
right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

It is very difficult to estimate the extent of God's estate seeing as how it
takes in the whole cosmos-- all of its forms of life, matter, and energy. And
that's only the portion of God's estate with which I'm familiar. There's more
yet. (John 16:15)
_

Your post begins with Scripture but then plunges into man’s speculation that goes far beyond Scripture.

Jesus has no “paternal siblings” and so is automatically entitled to the whole estate by default, you said. Scripture does not say this. Jesus is not the heir because He has no siblings, but because He is the eternal Son of the Father, appointed by the Father. Scripture says God “appointed” Him heir of all things in Hebrews 1:2. This has nothing to do with an inheritance based on family structure like the one you read in Deuteronomy 21, but everything to do with God’s authority and appointed purpose.

You also referred to Jesus as “God’s one and only paternal descendant” – this also is not biblical language. Scripture never calls Jesus a “paternal descendant.” Scripture calls Jesus the “only begotten Son” in John 3:16, 1 John 4:9. This is a word monogenēs in Greek, which means unique or one-of-a-kind. This points to His eternal, divine identity, not biological or lineage status. The Word is God in John 1: 1, who was with God and who was God. That has nothing to do with inheritance laws or tribal practices.

Finally, you said because Jesus has “no challengers” to the estate, then by default He is entitled to “the whole shebang”. Scripture says believers are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). We do not challenge His inheritance, but share in it because He has adopted us into God’s family by faith in Him. This does not detract from His authority. Rather, it magnifies His grace.

The Scripture is clear. Jesus reigns because He is the eternal Son, appointed by the Father. This is not because of inheritance laws or the absence of siblings. When we move beyond Scripture and try to fill in the blanks with man’s logic, we run the risk of distorting what God has plainly said. Stay with the Word.

 

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As to his identification as the Son of Man, it is very easy to prove the Word's
human origin began with Adam's creation.

● Luke 1:31-32 . . You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are
to give him the name Jesus. . . .The Lord God will give him the throne of his
father David.

Now, before any man can be considered for David's throne he has to be one
of the king's natural descendants; and that's on oath.

● Ps 132:11 . .The Lord has sworn in truth unto David; and He will not turn
from it: "Of the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne"

The new testament verifies Jesus is the fruit of David's body spoken of in
that oath.

● Acts 2:29-30 . . Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the
patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us
unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn
with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he
would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.

● Rom 1:1-3 . . Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
separated unto the gospel of God, concerning His son Jesus Christ our Lord,
which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh

The Greek word for "seed" is a mite ambiguous because it can refer to
spiritual progeny as well as biological progeny; but in David's case; seed
refers to biological progeny because Christ was 1) the fruit of David's body
and 2) of David's loins according to the flesh.

So then, seeing as how Jesus was David's paternal descendant, then of
course Jesus was Adam's paternal descendant too because we all, including
David, descend from a common ancestor.

● Gen 3:20 . . Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the
mother of all the living.

● Acts 17:26 . . He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all
the face of the earth.

NOTE: According to Luke 1:31-33, the Word's incarnation has two paternal
fathers, the one divine and the other human, so that Jesus could speak of
himself as deity and he could speak of himself as mankind. I think quite a
few Bible readers much prefer him one way or the other, rather than both
simultaneously. As someone fully God and fully Man, the Word's incarnation
can be a mite confusing at times.

Having a foot in both worlds gives Jesus a couple of amazing advantages.
On the one foot he's entitled to God's throne, and on the other foot he's
entitled to David's throne so that one day he'll be the supreme man on
Earth just as he's now the supreme man in Heaven.
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[bdavidc]

It doesn't take long for most Bible readers to realize that much of the
information we're given relevant to the Word's incarnation doesn't
harmonize; and I suspect that's because we're looking at an incarnation that
is both human and divine, viz: an incarnation who is temporal and eternal
simultaneously; which can be very confusing. In point of fact, Jesus often
antagonized his opponents by sometimes speaking of himself as deity and at
other times speaking of himself as human.

It only looks like a contradiction because you’re trying to overcomplicate what the Bible plainly says. There’s no contradiction in the incarnation. Jesus is fully God and fully man. That’s not a problem in Scripture, it’s the truth revealed in Scripture. “The Word was God” (John 1: 1) and “The Word was made flesh” (John 1:14). It’s simple.

Jesus didn’t “play dumb” or “antagonize” people when He switched between the two. He showed their unbelief. When He said “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58) He wasn’t being mysterious. He was identifying Himself as the eternal God. The only people that were confused were the ones that wouldn’t believe.

No, the Bible doesn’t contradict itself. You just need to stop trying to read philosophical implications into the plain reading of Scripture and actually believe what it says.