People frequently leave advertisements on my doorstep for services such as landscaping, gutter cleaning, and pest control. One day I found a different sort of pamphlet on my welcome mat—one full of Bible verses, all of which seemed to be correct. The leaflet also identified Jesus in its copy. But as I looked closer, however, I noticed that the words did not describe Him accurately. The publisher of the pamphlet denied that Jesus is truly God.
Jesus confirmed His deity when one of His disciples said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied” (John 14:8). Jesus responded, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” (John 14:9). To further explain, He said, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:11). Passing along this information was safe in the presence of His followers, but dangerous in other settings.
In a temple in Jerusalem, a group of people encircled Jesus and questioned Him about His identity. He said, “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30). His words ignited a murderous spirit in the crowd. “The people picked up stones to kill [Jesus]” (John 10:31). Facing His enemies, Jesus questioned their violent motives. They explained, “We’re stoning you for . . . blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33).
Jesus encouraged His would-be attackers to consider the miracles He had performed. If they wouldn’t believe His words, they could believe His works. For He had restored a blind man’s vision, healed a man who couldn’t walk, tread on water like dry land, and miraculously multiplied one lunch to feed thousands of people.
Although Jesus’ detractors refused to believe in Him and even plotted to kill Him, they never disproved His incredible claim to be God. Christ was and is “the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ruth 1:1-22
More:
Read Matthew 1:23 to see what the name “Immanuel” means. Look up John 8:58 to learn about how Jesus’ existence in eternity past testifies about His identity as God.
Next:
How does Jesus’ claim to be God set Him apart from other spiritual leaders and prophets? What would you say to someone who doesn’t believe that Jesus is God?
Gary Shultz on March 15, 2015 at 7:06 am
Even as Jesus demonstrated His power in healing the sick, He said, He must preach, that’s why He came. God is way to big for me to prove. if we in compassion speak the words of life to a person God’s work must still be done in the heart, a choice must be made. We may be able to join or compliment the work God will do in a heart, but the faith connection is still the miracle of love that must be chosen. So all of this to ask what would I say? I would speak the truth from my heart and live to prove the words were true. Thanks
Mike Wittmer on March 15, 2015 at 10:54 am
Thank you for this warning, Jennifer. I’m sure the people who wrote the pamphlet are nice people, but they illustrate a problem when it comes to Jesus. We can praise him a lot and not praise him enough. If we say he is not on the same divine level as the Father, then we haven’t praised him enough.