Faith & Reason Nexus

One of the most crucial questions you will ever ask yourself is this: Is Jesus God? The answer to this question will determine whether you are truly saved or a believer. The implications of your response are monumental. Today, I want to delve into this topic and discuss its significance.

This confusion and criticism perplexed me, especially when some argued that Jesus is the Son of God but not God Himself. This perspective makes no sense to me and is heartbreaking because it suggests that many people who consider themselves Christians might be fundamentally misunderstanding who Jesus is.

Understanding whether Jesus is God is not just a theological detail—it’s the foundation of Christian faith. The concept of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—may seem complex, but it’s central to Christianity. Without God dying on the cross and paying for our sins, the entire foundation of Christianity crumbles.

Firstly, let’s look at what Jesus said about Himself. The Gospel of John contains seven significant “I am” statements made by Jesus, each reflecting deep Old Testament imagery and implying His divinity. For instance, Jesus says:

• “I am the bread of life” (John 6)
• “I am the light of the world” (John 8)
• “I am the door” (John 10)
• “I am the good shepherd” (John 10)
• “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11)
• “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14)
• “I am the vine” (John 15)

These statements suggest a divine self-understanding, as no ancient prophet or leader in Israel made such claims.

Most telling is in John 8, where Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am.” This echoes God’s self-identification in Exodus 3:14, where God tells Moses, “I am who I am.” By using this name, Jesus is claiming to be God.

Critics often argue that Jesus never explicitly said, “I am God.” However, this reflects a modern expectation applied to an ancient text. The original audience understood Jesus’ claims to divinity through His statements and actions. Jesus’ audience, particularly the religious leaders, recognized these claims and accused Him of blasphemy.

The second angle to consider is why Jesus was killed. For three years, Jesus’ life was constantly threatened. The religious leaders sought to kill Him because He was making Himself equal to God, which they saw as the ultimate blasphemy deserving of death. In John 10:33, they explicitly state, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, being a mere man, make yourself God.”

The fact that Jesus was crucified primarily because of His claims to divinity underscores His understanding of Himself as God and the leaders’ recognition of these claims.

In conclusion, consider these two questions: What did Jesus say about Himself, and why was Jesus killed? Your answer to whether Jesus is God is critical because the entire Christian faith rests on this belief. Jesus cannot merely be a moral teacher or a prophet; He must be God for Christianity to hold its meaning and power. As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 15:19, if Christ is not risen (and thus not God), we are to be most pitied.

So, ask yourself: Is Jesus God?