Course:  Jesus the eternal Son of God

Section Two:  Jesus is God the Son.

Lesson Three

Lesson Title: Jesus claimed to be the Son of God.

 

Text: John 5:18, 'Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.'

 

Introduction:  Jesus claimed to be God.

The Jews understood that Jesus made Himself equal with God. 

This was why they tried to kill Him. 

John 10:30-33  'I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.  Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?  The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.'

 

Introductory Illustration:  Paul Little wrote 'As we face the claims of Christ, there are only four possibilities.  He was either

1)    a liar,

2)    a lunatic,

3)    a legend, or

4)    the Truth'.[1]

 

 

Main Points:

1.    Jesus said things that only God could say  (Mark 2:5-12)

 

a)    He forgave sins

He was accused of blasphemy because He claimed to have the power to forgive sins. 

'When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, your sins be forgiven you.  But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why does this man speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?'  (Mark 2:5-7).

Jesus deliberately told the man his sins were forgiven so that they would be confronted with the truth of who He is.

 

b)    Jesus did not deny that only God can forgive sins.  

He claimed that the power to heal confirmed that He had the power to forgive sins.

His argument was that it is no easier to heal a paralysed man than it is to forgive sins. 

'And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason you these things in your hearts?  Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?  But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (he said to the sick of the palsy,)  I say unto you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house.  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.'   (Mark 2 8-12).

 

c)    The miracles were signs that bore witness that Jesus is God.   

The Holy Spirit confirmed the testimony of Jesus.

 

If Jesus Christ was not God then He was guilty of blasphemy.  

If Jesus had been speaking with a delegated authority then He was deceiving the people. 

If Jesus was not God then the judgement of the scribes that He deserved to be stoned would have been a right judgement according to Jewish law.

 

  

2.    Jesus accepted worshipped and encouraged people to worship Him

 

a)    Blind man who Jesus healed came and worshipped Him. (John 9:38)

The children in the temple gave Him praise (Matthew 21:15-16).

Even when Jesus was a child He was worshipped.  The wise men came and worshipped Him.  (Matthew 2:11)

The reaction of Jesus to those who worshipped Him was that He encouraged it. 

He maintained that it was right for people to worship Him.  

Jesus could only accept worship because He is God.

 

 

b)    When God's servants have been offered worship they have always rejected it.

Acts 14:14-18, Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes

Revelation 19:10, God's messenger refused to accept the worship of John. 

He told him only to 'worship God'. 

 

If Jesus is not God then He should have reacted in the same way and prevented it.

 

 

3.    Jesus claimed to be the I AM

Jesus is called I AM many times in John's Gospel

The Jews understood that when Jesus called Himself I AM He was associating Himself with the great name of God, YHWH (Jehovah).

I AM THAT I AM (2 Moses 3:14)

 

i)      The self existing God. 

ii)    Life in Himself.

iii)   The One who is who He is.

iv)   The unchanging God. Hebrews 13:8  'Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.'

 

 

The I AM's in John's Gospel

 

i)      I am that bread of life  (John 6:48)

ii)    I am the light of the world (John 8:12)

iii)   Before Abraham was, I am  (John 8:58)

iv)   I am the door  (John 10:9)

v)     I am the good shepherd (John 10:11)

vi)   I am the Son of God? (John 10:36)

vii)  I am the resurrection, and the life (John 11:25)

viii)I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

ix)   I am the true vine (John 15:1)

 

Judas and those who came for Jesus fall down when He says ‘I AM’.

John 18:5-6  'Jesus said unto them, I am. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am, they went backward, and fell to the ground.'

 

Jesus is the LORD (Jehovah). 

The names of Jehovah can be seen through Psalm 23 and each revelation of Jehovah applies to Jesus.

 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd.

Jehovah Rohi - The Lord my shepherd (Psalm 23:1).

Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

 

I shall not want

Jehovah Jireh - The Lord my provision (Genesis 22:14)

Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29; 36).

 

He leads me beside the still waters

Jehovah Shalom - The Lord my peace (Judges 6:24).

Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)

 

He restores my soul

Jehovah Ropheka - The Lord my healer (Exodus 15:26).

Jesus bore our sicknesses (Matthew 8:17)

 

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names sake.

Jehovah Tsidkenu - The Lord my righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:17).

Jesus is our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)

 

I will fear no evil for You are with me

Jehovah Shammah - The Lord is there (Ezekiel 48:35)

Jesus said 'I will never leave you, I will not forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5).

 

Your rod and staff comfort me.

Jehovah Tsebaoth - The Lord of hosts (Isaiah 6:3)

Jesus is my helper (Hebrews 13:6).

 

You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies

Jehovah Nissi - The Lord my banner (Exodus 17:15).

Jesus is the baptiser with the Holy Spirit, (John 7:37-39)

 

You anoint my head with oil.

Jehovah Makaddesh - The Lord my sanctifier (Exodus 31:13).

Jesus is our sancifier (John 17:17-19).

 

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Jehovah Eleyon - The Lord most high (Psalm 7:17; 47:2; 97:9). 

Jesus has prepared a place for us (John 14:2-3).  See also Psalm 91:1.

 

 

Summary:

We must conclude that either Jesus is the Son of God or He was a deceiver of the people.

1)    He claimed to have the power to do things that only God can do.  He claimed to have the power to forgave sins.

2)    He accepted worship.  Only God is to be worshipped (Matthew 4:10).

3)    He claimed to be the I AM.  The highest name associated with God.

 

 



[1] Paul Little, Know Why You Believe, Victor Books:Illinois, 1980, p.34.