Jesus said: “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30
TOPIC: Jesus rightfully claimed that he is true God.
BACKGROUND: Jesus was in the temple in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Dedication when he spoke these words in response to a question posed to him, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” (John 10:24).
Twice we read in the gospel of John that the Jews were about to stone Jesus. Both instances were for the same reason—Jesus said he was God. To the Jews, this was blasphemy and punishable by stoning to death. Leviticus 24:16 clearly states, “Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death.”
The deity of Jesus is of great importance to God’s people. If he was not true God our faith is worthless, and our sins could not have been forgiven.
There are many signs that he is truly the Son of God. First, Jesus himself claimed to be true God. In our reference today Jesus claimed that he was of the same essence and nature as God the Father. He also claimed that before Abraham existed, he was already. The I AMs of Jesus are numerous in the gospels. We also witness the many miracles he performed, and his declaration that people’s sins were forgiven.
Jesus’ followers also declared him to be true God. Thomas called Jesus his Lord and his God. They risked death to spread the message that Jesus was true God. They believed that as such he raised himself from the dead just as he said he would.
As true God Jesus led a perfect life, he defeated Satan, he rose from the dead, and he promises to return for us one day. We join Titus when he writes in Titus 2:13, “We wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER THOUGHT: by Horatius Bonar
Praise ye the Word made flesh!
True God, true man is He:
Praise ye the Christ of God!
To whom all glory be:
Praise ye the Lamb that once was slain,
Praise ye the King that comes to reign.
PAUL WRITES ABOUT JESUS: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15
From At the Feet of Jesus by Reynold R. Kremer