Answers to that question today are varied, indeed. Some call Him a good man. Some call Him an imposter. Others say He was a liar. Even others say that only the Father was God, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit were beneath Him in rank.
Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:14-16). Peter’s powerful confession, Jesus said, would be the foundation of His church.
Seven-hundred years before Christ was born, Isaiah prophesied about Him, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’” (Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23): “And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6b). He will be called Mighty God!
The ruling Jews understood that Jesus was claiming to be God. Jesus told them, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30-38). They were highly offended, and accused him of blasphemy, “You, being a man, make yourself God.” When they heard Him say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven you,” they reasoned incorrectly and correctly, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” The thief on the cross recognized Him as the Son of God, as well as the centurion who witnessed His death (Luke 23:43; Mark 15:39).
The writer of Hebrews gives more insight into, “Who is this Jesus?” He said:
God spoke through Jesus. The Old Testament was communicated through many persons, but in these last days by His Son (Hebrews 1:2).
God appointed Jesus heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2). God declared Him to be His “only begotten Son,” which would entitle him to be heir of all things ( Matthew 3:17; 17:5).
God made the worlds through Jesus (Hebrews 1:2). “All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made” (John 1:3). “For in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible, and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him and unto him” (Colossians 1:16).
Jesus is the very image of God (Hebrews 1:3). When Thomas asked Him to show them the Father, Jesus said, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves” (John 14:10-11). As such, He has the divine right to receive people’s worship, adoration, and obedience. No doubt, Jesus exhibited the glory of God when he was transfigured, His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2).
Jesus upholds all things by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3). This makes Christ the sustaining force of the earth, universe, and beyond. Paul declared, “He is before all things, and in him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17).
Jesus purged our sins with His death, burial, and resurrection (Hebrews 1:3). Paul said, He made purification of sins, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:14).
Who is this Jesus? The apostles came to know him in three short years. They saw his great compassion, astounding works, his humility, and heard his profound teachings. They saw him tenderly take a little child onto his lap and tell about greatness. They witnessed his healing of the sick, restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and his patience with those who were steeped in sin. They watched as he called dead Lazarus to come out of his tomb. They listened as he successfully took on his adversaries, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and ruling Jews. When Thomas doubted that Jesus was risen, the Savior appeared to him and asked him to look at his nail-scarred hands, and put his hand into His side. Thomas said, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28).
The disciples came to know that Jesus embodied one word. Love. “Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (1 John 3:16). No greater love! Why else would God come down to earth to live with dark, sinful men?
On a personal level, Jesus is the one who took the stripes that I deserved. The nails that pierced his hands should have pierced my hands. The crown of thorns on his head should have been pressed into my brow. He took my place. He died for me. He died for you, too. This is the epitome of LOVE!
Today’s Verses: The Father said to the Son, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands” (Hebrews 1:10); “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28a); “And He Himself is the propitiation [payment] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2).
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By Teresa Hampton