“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” – Isaiah 6:3
Understanding Jesus’ Holiness
As we reflect on Jesus being holy, we find ourselves in awe of His perfection and purity. His holiness is a defining characteristic that sets Him apart from us. When we see Jesus, we are reminded that He offers us a glimpse into the heart of God. We understand that His holiness is not just about being morally perfect but is also about being completely other, totally separate from sin and the darkness of the world. It’s through His holiness that we can grasp the depth of God’s love and grace. We glean from the scriptures that Jesus, through His holy life, came to redeem us, and we can delight in the fact that He invites us into a relationship with Him, a holy relationship.
Luke 1:35
“The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; so the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'” – Luke 1:35
John 1:14
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
1 Peter 2:22
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” – 1 Peter 2:22
Hebrews 7:26
“Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” – Hebrews 7:26
Revelation 3:7
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” – Revelation 3:7
The Call to Holiness
Being aware that Jesus is holy, we are also called to align our lives with His holiness. This call is not about living in perfection but about longing for transformation and seeking purity in our lives. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to pursue holiness, much like Jesus did, as stated in 1 Peter 1:16, “Be holy, because I am holy.” Embracing a holy lifestyle involves choices that reflect our faith and allow the Holy Spirit to shape our behavior and attitudes. We are reminded that, through our relationship with Jesus, we can strive towards holiness by leaning on His strength and grace, allowing us to reflect the character of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:7
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:7
Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Ephesians 1:4
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” – Ephesians 1:4
2 Timothy 1:9
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” – 2 Timothy 1:9
Jesus’ Holy Sacrifice
Jesus’ holiness is beautifully illustrated in His ultimate act of love—His sacrifice on the cross. Through His willingness to endure suffering, sin, and rejection, Jesus did not compromise His holiness. Instead, He demonstrated it in the most profound way by offering Himself as a perfect lamb for our sins. His blood, which is holy, purifies us and grants us reconciliation with God. Each time we reflect upon the sacrifice Jesus made, we are encouraged to appreciate the fullness of His holiness and acknowledge the grace that He extends towards us. It’s through His sacrifice that we are made clean and invited into fellowship with our Holy God.
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7
Hebrews 9:14
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” – Hebrews 9:14
Colossians 1:22
“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” – Colossians 1:22
Ephesians 5:25-27
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” – Ephesians 5:25-27
The Holiness of Jesus in Our Lives
Understanding Jesus as our holy Savior also shapes how we live our daily lives. His holiness provides a blueprint for our behavior, character, and interactions with others. We often find ourselves reflecting His purity as we navigate challenges and temptations, choosing to respond in ways that honor Him. By inviting Jesus into our circumstances and focusing on His holy nature, we can cultivate a lifestyle that reflects Him, becoming a light in the darkness. We are called to be representatives of His holiness, using our words, actions, and decisions to glorify Him and point others to the truth of His love. Let us choose to live in such a way that embodies the holiness of Christ in everything we do.
Philippians 2:15
“So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation, then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” – Philippians 2:15
Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'” – 1 Peter 1:15-16
Matthew 7:20
“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:20
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
The Holiness of Jesus Through Worship
As we worship Jesus, we should do so with a deep recognition of His holiness. Our worship becomes a response to the understanding that we are in the presence of the Holy One. This perspective enriches our prayers, songs, and acts of service. When we corporately lift our voices in adoration, we join together in acknowledging His beauty and worthiness. Worshiping Jesus impacts our spirits, transforming us and drawing us closer to Him. It allows the importance of His holiness to seep into our very beings, prompting us to live lives that reflect that holiness beyond Sunday mornings. Let us continually strive to give Him the glory He deserves and honor Him in all aspects of our lives.
Psalm 29:2
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” – Psalm 29:2
Isaiah 12:5
“Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.” – Isaiah 12:5
Romans 15:11
“And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.'” – Romans 15:11
Revelation 4:8
“Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.'” – Revelation 4:8
Psalm 95:6
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” – Psalm 95:6
Sharing Jesus’ Holiness with Others
As we strive to understand Jesus being holy, we also recognize our responsibility to share this truth with others. Our lives become testimonies of His grace, and we have the opportunity to tell others about His holiness. By sharing our experiences of how Jesus has brought light into our lives, we can encourage those who are searching for hope. Moreover, we are called to point others to the holiness of Jesus by living our lives in ways that reflect His character and message. Let our actions and words be intentional, showing others the love and truth found in His holy presence. We are to embody His holiness for others to see, thereby inviting them into a loving relationship with Him.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20
1 Corinthians 9:22
“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:22
2 Corinthians 5:20
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” – Mark 16:15
John 13:15
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” – John 13:15
Final Thoughts
When we consider Jesus being holy, we see the immense gift we have in Him. The holy nature of Christ invites us into a transformative relationship and encourages us to embrace holiness in our own lives. It is through His holiness that we are called to reflect God’s love and grace to others. As we strive for holiness, let us remember that it is not about our own strength but relying on Jesus who empowers us. Our worship and our witness are strengthened as we constantly center our hearts on His holiness. Together as His followers, we can light up the world around us, proclaiming His holiness with love and joy.
If you enjoyed learning about Jesus’ holiness, I encourage you to explore other topics like friendship with Jesus and deepen your understanding of His character further. All these topics can enrich our faith and deepen our connection with Him.