Who is Jesus?

Many people like to think that Jesus was a good teacher, but not divine. However,

(1) Jesus most definitely claimed to be divine.

(2) The facts only add up if his claim was true.

(1) This section about Jesus' claim to divinity is based on my belief in the accuracy of the Bible, which I addressed in my last post.

Some of Jesus' sayings may be misunderstood by us, who are reading them in a different language than the original, at a different time, in a different place, and ignorant of the religious and cultural context.

The Pharisees of Jesus' time, however, understood the context well, and understood his claims as blasphemy, so serious as to merit his death. In one situation, Jesus is talking to the Pharisees about his special relationship with God and his role on Earth. He ends by saying, " 'I and the Father are one.' "

"Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, 'I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?' 'We are not stoning you for any good work,' they replied, 'but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.' "

-John 10:30-33

Another instance of Jesus' claim to divinity appears in every gospel, again and again, when he calls himself the Son of Man. To some, this self-designation seems to support Jesus' humanity. However, the phrase "Son of Man" is actually a reference to a passage in Daniel 7:13-14:

"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

In case anyone thinks it's a leap of faith to assume that Jesus is referring to this passage when he calls himself the son of man, let's see what he says when he is on trial before the high priest before his crucifixion:

"The high priest asked him, 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?'

'I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'

The high priest tore his clothes. 'Why do we need any more witnesses?' he asked. 'You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?'

They all condemned him as worthy of death."

-Mark 14:61-64 (See also Matthew 26:63-66)

In the gospels of both Matthew and Luke, Jesus asks his disciples who other people say he is and who they think he is:

" 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'

Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'

Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.' "

-Matthew 16:15-17 (See also Luke 9:20-27)

Three gospels record an incident where Jesus heals a paralyzed man, and in so doing, makes it clear that he is on the same level as God:

"When Jesus saw [the] faith [of the man's friends], he said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'

Now some of the teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 'Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?'

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Get up, take your mat and walk"? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.' So he said to the man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!"

-Mark 2:5-12 (See also Matthew 9:2-8 and Luke 5:20-26)

These are just a few examples showing that, yes, Jesus was a good teacher, but at the heart of his message was his identity as the Son of God (Matthew 11:27) and the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

I will address point #2 in my next post.