MIND BENDER
Bending To The Truth
Q's: "Did Jesus Ever Say He was God? I do believe that Jesus was a real person and a good teacher, but how can he be God? Why is it so important to Christians that Jesus is God?"
Our A:These are all very important questions. So let us dive into to it head on. As you read what jesus said about himself it soon becames apparent that he was making shocking and startling statements about who he really was. He began to identify himself as far more than a remarkable teacher or prophet. He began to say clearly that he was Deity. He made his identity the focal point of his teaching. Jesus clearly claimed powers which only God has. But first lets see what others who followed him said:
Did he ever identify himself as God? According to the Bible...absolutely! Below are some of his statements made while on earth, in their context.
"Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad." The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!" John 8:56-58
Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark." John 12:44-46
"No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!"
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show Him to you?" John 14:6-9
"...that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he then said to the paralytic--"Rise, pick up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God..." Matthew 9:6-8
He said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins." John 8:23,24
"For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father." John 5:21-23
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." John 11:25
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." John 10:27,28
"For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:40
"The Father and I are one." Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. Jesus said, "At my Father's direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?" They replied, "We're stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God." John 10:30-33
If you are wanting a secure hope, you need to choose the God who exists! How can we know this is the real God? We know by looking at the facts, by looking at what God has revealed about Himself. For help, see the article Beyond Blind Faith or other articles on this site.
You may want to understand more about God the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit
To grow in your knowledge of God and His will for your life, read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible. Follow this link and start with John
For info on having a relationship with God, see Knowing God Personally.