Do we see this high view of Jesus reflected in his own words and life? Indeed we do. When we look at his life, we find the idea of being God’s Son permeated all he said and did. Consider the following examples:

Jesus Claimed Authority Equal to Scripture

In Jesus’ culture, the Jewish people viewed the Old Testament as being the very words of God. Jesus shared this same view of Scripture. Jesus frequently referred to the Old Testament as “the Word of God.”

While Jesus shared their high view of Scripture, he held a view no observant Jew would have considered. Jesus considered his own words on the same level with Scripture. Six times in his Sermon on the Mount, he said, “You have heard that it was said [in the Old Testament]…But I tell you.” Jesus viewed himself as being able to add to the Old Testament Scriptures.

On another occasion, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) This is equivalent to what the Old Testament says about the Bible’s eternally enduring nature. “Your word, O Lord, is eternal…” (Psalm 119:89)

Another amazing aspect of Jesus’ self understanding is how he saw his presence to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament writings. He believed the Old Testament was written to testify about himself.

Once, when debating with some who opposed him, Jesus said, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me…” (John 5:39) After his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples all he had gone through was to fulfill the Old Testament writings. “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44)

Jesus repeatedly verified his control over the natural world. On one occasion, Jesus and his disciples were crossing a lake in a boat. Without warning, a powerful storm appeared – threatening to sink the boat and drown all on board. Jesus had earlier fallen asleep in the stern of the boat.

When events were at their worst, Jesus’ disciples began to panic. It was then they came, woke him, and begged him to help. When Jesus saw the situation and their panic, he stood up and said to the storm “Quiet! Be still!”” (Mark 4:39) Immediately, the wind and waves became still.

At a wedding, Jesus demonstrated control over the processes that occur in the process of creating grapes and fermenting their juice into wine. John’s gospel reports Jesus transformed water into a fine aged wine. (John 2:1-11)

Jesus encountered no sickness beyond his ability to cure. The Gospels report Jesus repeatedly cured a wide variety of illnesses – blindness, mental illness, deafness, and leprosy are among some of the conditions he cured. Some of the strongest authentications of Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God were the miracles he performed.

Jesus also demonstrated complete authority over death. Many times Jesus demonstrated his power over death by resuscitating persons who had died – in one case the person had been dead over four days.

Another manner in which Jesus demonstrated his unique self understanding was how he claimed the authority to forgive sins.

On one occasion, Jesus was presented with a paralyzed man. The paralyzed man’s friends had taken great pains to get him to Jesus. They went to the extreme measure of digging through a roof and lowering the man through the hole – to be placed right in front of Jesus! The Bible says when Jesus saw their faith, he forgave the man of his sins. This shocked the crowd – because only God can forgive sin! (See Mark 2:1-11).

This was not a unique event, as Jesus claimed the authority to forgive sins on many occasions.

Jesus also claimed to be God’s Son. Today, this might be a phrase loosely used in some religious circles. “We are all,” it is said, “children of God.” This would never have been said in Jesus’ cultural setting. The term “Son of God” was simply not used to describe one’s relationship with God. Jesus said, “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
(Matthew 11:27)

Jesus declared that he is God. In our own society, many religions claim we are all part of God. We need to understand this idea was not part of what Jesus was communicating. The idea we are all part of God was offensive to the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day. To the Jewish mind, God is utterly separate from his creatures. God is totally unique.

Jesus claimed the Hebrew name for God (“I Am”) for himself. “’I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’” (John 8:58) Other examples are plentiful. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.” (John 14:7) “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

Jesus claimed to be the Son of God – a person totally unique in all of human history. That Jesus claimed to be God is a fact beyond any doubt. Either this claim was accurate, or it was not.

When investigated, every aspect of Jesus’ life lends credibility to his unique claim. Consider the unparalleled moral authority of his teachings, the impeccable quality of Jesus’ life, and the miracles Jesus performed. All of which point to the truthfulness of Jesus’ unique claims.

There is also Jesus’ death to consider. Jesus claimed his death would pay the debt every person owes to God for their sin. This is so that everyone who turns to Jesus as Lord and Savior can be forgiven of their sins. He said, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [i.e. crucifixion] that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15)

Finally, we must consider Jesus’ resurrection. What better evidence of the truth of Jesus’ claim could there be than his resurrection from the dead? Jesus said, “No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18)

Links Below will Open New Windows

Steps to Peace with God