Did Jesus Claim to be God?
The 7 Statements of Jesus on the cross explore the words of the Christ as He spent His last hours suffering and dying for our sins.
Was Jesus God?
Did Jesus claim to be God? People today may have trouble believing that, but the religious leaders in Jesus’ day were quite clear about it and wanted to stone him for it. We read in Mark, chapter 2,
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:5-7)
Jesus said many things about himself that only God could say. Here are six of the statements Jesus made.
Authority to Forgive Sins
First, Jesus said he had authority to forgive all sins, not just sins against him. Imagine that someone broke in and stole your computer. Then I walked in, smiled at everyone and said to the thief, “I forgive you for stealing that laptop. Off you go.”
You might tell me, “Off you go – you’re off your rocker.” You and I can’t forgive a sin that was done to someone else. Yet this is exactly what Jesus claimed he could do. Jesus’ is basically saying that all sins are against him, because he is the God whose laws have been broken.
He Could Give Eternal Life
Second, Jesus claimed that he alone could give eternal life, though God alone has the right to give or take life.
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40)
Jesus Claimed to be the Truth
Third, Jesus claimed not just to know or bring truth, but to be the Truth itself. “Jesus said to him,
“I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
He is the source and center of all truth.
Jesus is Completely Sinless
Fourth, Jesus is completely sinless. He challenged anyone to point out a single sin he had committed:
“Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46)
Jesus Claimed the Right to be Worshiped
Fifth, Jesus assumed the right to receive the same worship and honor as God the Father. Jesus said,
“Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (John 5:23)
Jesus Claimed He Would Judge
Sixth, Jesus declared that we will be judged by his words.
“The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” (John 12:48)
Only God has both the infinite knowledge and the right, as Creator and owner, to judge every person. This makes it very personal for you and me: We will be judged in the end by whether we have believed on Jesus, the divine Savior.
The Greatness of Jesus, the Son of God
That could cause us to fear the greatness of Jesus, the Son of God. Can I give you a verse that can change fear into faith? The apostle Paul told a group of people who believed in Jesus,
“You are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:10)
That is so amazing. You and I can stand before the throne of almighty God, complete in Jesus. How can that happen? Paul said to those same believers,
“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ … since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus.” The Apostle Paul
Have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Do you believe Jesus claimed to be God? Share with us. Contact us at HopeStreamRadio, or comment below.
Brian Stapley
Brian Stapley is the husband of Margaret and “Christian-proud” father of Tabitha, Ben, Jeremy and Joel. He has been director of the Boys JIM Club of America since 1981 and a “JIM Clubber” since 1958, the year he became a Christian. The mission statement of the JIM Club is, “Discipling boys to love Jesus deeply and express him vividly.”
He has been an educator since 1970, primarily as a high school English Teacher. (Don’t dangle your participles.) He has been in fellowship at Scottlea Gospel Chapel, St. Catharines, since 1976 and travels to preach about three dozen times a year, in Ontario and New York State. He is a ventriloquist, in company with Casey, Theodore, Dodo, Grumpa, and a menagerie of others. Also, a bit of a magician.
Leave a Reply