A lot of people have different opinions about who Jesus is. However, the best evidence of who Jesus is comes directly from Jesus himself. Jesus made seven statements about himself that are recorded in the Bible. No one else in history ever made the kind of statements that Jesus made. Here they are:
- Jesus repeatedly said that he came down from heaven. The Gospel of John contains at least six instances where Jesus said this. Jesus didn’t just say that he saw heaven, but that he originated and came down from there.
- Jesus said that he alone is God. In John 10: 30-33, Jesus says the he and the father are one, making himself equal with God. We further read that this is exactly why the Jews (Pharisees) wanted to kill Jesus and was so vigorously opposed by them.
- Jesus said that his miracles proved that he was God. In John 10: 36-39, Jesus points to his miracles as proof of who he is.
- Jesus says he is without sin. In John 8: 46, Jesus asks who would convict him of sin, implying his sinless and holy nature. This is an astonishing claim, as we are all aware of our own faults. Jesus says he has none.
- Jesus says he could forgive sin. In Mark 2: 5, Jesus tells the paralytic man his sins are forgiven. The Pharisees heard this and a debate ensued, as they said that only God can forgive sins…and they were right.
- Jesus said he is the only way to Heaven. In John 14: 6, Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can reach the Father in heaven except through him. Salvation then, is not by means or works of man or any religions; salvation is only by and through Jesus himself.
- Jesus predicted that he would be killed and that he would rise bodily from the dead. Jesus predicted his own death and bodily resurrection in John 2 and Mark 10:33-34.
The question for us today is: who do you think Jesus is? Jesus asks us this question in Matt 16:15 when he says “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus invites us to repent and come to him in faith for only the life he can give….eternal life.
Bibliography:
Mark Driscoll, sermon entitled “Vintage Jesus”, given at the Crystal Cathedral, August 23, 2009. The entire message is available at this link:
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