Who Is Jesus?
One day when Jesus was alone with His disciples, He could ask them, “Who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15. What a great question! Jesus is, by far, the most famous and influential man who ever walked the earth. But who was he? Peter, responding to Jesus, answered the question, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” Matthew 16:16. In ten words Peter perfectly summarized who Jesus is. A full, adequate answer to this question would be incredibly long, so we will only focus on a few basic truths concerning Jesus.
Jesus was a man who lived around 2000 years ago near Israel, on the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea. This is a historical fact and is disputed by nearly no one. The question is not if Jesus was a real man, but rather, is Jesus God. The Bible gives a clear and definite answer, YES! John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “The Word” is speaking of Jesus, so this verse tells of three things concerning Jesus.
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“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus)” - Jesus is eternal. He has no beginning and will have no end.
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“The Word (Jesus) was with God” - Jesus was in eternal fellowship and communion with God the Father and God the Spirit.
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“The Word (Jesus) was God” - Jesus is God. He always has been and always will be.
Jesus could affirm his deity numerous times throughout His life. He once said, “I and the Father (God) are one.” When asked by Caesar if He was the Son of God, which is another name for God, Jesus answered, “You say that I am” Luke 22:70. Throughout the Bible, it is made very clear that God is one being in three separate co-equal and co-eternal persons - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. Jesus is God the Son, the Son of God. So, if Jesus is God, then He is all-powerful, eternal, infinite, creator, and holy.
Hebrews 1:2-3 gives seven incredible truths concerning Jesus, “God has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Jesus is not only the most famous person in all of history, but He is also God.
John 8:58 “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
Titus 2:13 “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”
1 Corinthian 8:6 “Yet for us, there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist”
John 1:14 says, “The Word (Jesus) became flesh, and dwelt among us.” Around 2000 years ago, the Son of God became a man and was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-25). Throughout His life, Jesus never sinned, disobeyed the law, and was perfect in every way. At around 30 years old Jesus was baptized and began His public ministry. During his public ministry, Jesus demonstrated numerous miracles proclaiming His power and affirming His deity. The Bible tells us He healed the sick, turned water into wine, walked on water, and even raised people from the dead. But even though He lived a perfect life and did so much good, the religious and political leaders hated Him. They were jealous of Him and plotted to kill Him. Jesus was falsely accused and led to Calvary, and the religious leaders thought they were in control, however, Jesus could say, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:18. Jesus was in full control
Jesus was led to Calvary and was nailed to a cross between two criminals, and there He suffered and died. After He was confirmed dead, His body was removed from the cross and laid in a tomb that had never been used before. Then we see one of the most remarkable things concerning Jesus, “He (Jesus) rose early on the first day of the week” Mark 16:9 and “He (Jesus) was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:4. Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and is now at the right hand of the Father God in Heaven. The deity was affirmed; the Father raised Him from the dead to prove He really was God and to prove that He accepted Christ’s sacrifices.
The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for sin, and He is alive today! His sacrifice was accepted, and now He willingly saves anyone who comes to Him. Jesus was much more than a good person; He was the Son of God, the Savior of sinners, the “Gift of God” Romans 6:23.