There are things in life that are confounding mysteries that are difficult to understand.
“Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” He *said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?””
(Matthew 16:13-15, NASB20)
Do you think Jesus’ identity (who Jesus is) is an important question that demands an answer?
•Answer: Absolutely!!
Why:
•Because we absolutely have got to get Jesus right! Another way to put this- If you get Jesus wrong it doesn’t matter what you get right.
A lot of people get Jesus wrong. . .
- Buddhist-“Enlightened teacher, man.”
- Islamic- “Prophet of God, man.”
- Jehovah Witness- “Archangel Michael implanted in Mary’s womb.”
- Mormons- “Man who became a god-eternal progression.”
- Unitarianisms- “Great example, still just man.”
Truth:
•The testimony of Scripture reveals who Jesus is- the eternal creator God Himself in human flesh.
Who is Jesus?
•He is God.
1. Characteristics of God found in the Old Testament that are attributed to Jesus in the New Testament.
2. Conclusions made by the disciples that Jesus is God.
3. Claims made by Jesus that he is God.
1. There are characteristics/names of God in the Old Testament that are attributed to Jesus in the New Testament.
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
Exodus 3:14-15 ESV
“I AM” = State of being.
- I was (past)
- I am (present)
- I will be (future)
Tetragrammaton is the unpronounceable Hebrew four-letter name of God.
Lord
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isaiah 40:3
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying i the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'”
Matthew 3:1-3
Creator
Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
Isaiah 44:6
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,
Revelation 1:17
Savior
I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.
Isaiah 43:11
waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:13
King of Glory
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!Psalm 24:10
He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.
I Corinthians 3:8
Shepherd
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
Colossians 2:9
2. Conclusions made by the disciples that Jesus is God.
After the resurrection, the disciple’s Jewish lens of who they thought Jesus was were removed. Their conclusion: Jesus is God.
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:28
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1, 14
3.
Claims made by Jesus that He is God.
“Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus *said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.”
(John 14:6-11, NASB20)
51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
John 8:51, 56-58
You must conclude for yourself. . . . .
•Do I get Jesus right or wrong. .
Bow in submission and worship Jesus by saying and believing . . .
•”My LORD and my God.”