Can we be really honest for a second? I mean, can we all put away all of our preconceived opinions and look at some facts? Can we have a mature discussion without getting our feelings hurt? After we look at all of the facts it will be easier to make an intelligent, informed determination on what is correct. Are you really interested in determining the truth?
This may sound like a simple question to many of you, but I want to talk about who Jesus is. I’m sure most of you have probably already made a determination about Jesus. I’m sure many of you feel that nothing could change your mind about Him. But I believe there are many out there that have wrong information about who, exactly, Jesus is.
Most people that identify with the Christian faith argue that Jesus is the Son of God. They are relentless about presenting Jesus as God. Muslims would argue that Jesus was a prophet like Mohammad, but he is not God. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus was Michael the archangel before his earthly incarnation. Mormons believe that Jesus is a god, and that we all can become gods too.
With so many different perspectives on whom Jesus is one thing is abundantly clear…we can’t all be right. What can account for the large variety of perspectives and divergent views? Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 11 that false apostles and deceitful workers disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. Paul continues in verse 14, “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” The bottom line is this. Jesus and Paul both warned extensively about people that would try to hide or pervert the truth. Most of these false teachers and prophets appear to be good, honest truth seekers, but that is just wishful thinking. We need to discover the truth. Our very lives depend on what we think of Jesus. John 8:24 says:
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.
In order to discover the truth, we need to read the Bible and let the Bible interpret the Bible. Together, let’s see what the Bible says about Jesus.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
I am sure it would come as no surprise to God-fearing people to hear that God is responsible for creation. The Bible does not just attribute creation to God, however. The Bible specifically identifies Jesus as the creator.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. John 1:1-3
You might be asking yourself at this point “It says the Word was with God, and the Word was God, where is the mention of Jesus?” John explains in great detail the return of Jesus in the book of Revelation. John sees Jesus coming back in all His glory and identifies Him as The Word of God.
His name is called The Word of God… And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:13,16
What else does the Bible say about the Word of God? John 1:14 says:
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.
The book of Isaiah gives some great insight into the true nature of Jesus. Isaiah chapter 9 is a popular “Messianic Prophecy” that gives information to the Jews about the coming Messiah. It says:
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Did you catch that? The child that would be born is called Mighty God and Eternal Father. How can a child be called those names? He cannot, unless that child is God. Not a god, but The God. Some may argue that Jesus Himself never called himself God. Actually, there are many occasions where He did just that. Phillip asks Jesus to show him the Father. Jesus responds:
He who has seen Me has seen the Father
John 14:9
Jesus also stated that “I and the Father are One.” When the religious leaders questioned Jesus about Abraham, Jesus said:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.” John 8:58
This statement was a reference back to Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush. Moses asked God who he should tell the Israelites had sent him. God answered:
“I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” In this very short statement Jesus was able to draw a connection between Himself, and the “I AM” of the Old Testament. The religious leaders of the day did not miss this and wanted to kill him for blasphemy.
Do you know what God the Father said about Jesus? The writer of the book of Hebrews records some statements that God made about Jesus.
But of the Son He says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8
Of Jesus, Colossians 2:9 says “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” It certainly appears that the Bible, religious leaders, disciples, God the Father, and even Jesus Himself recognized Him as a member of the Godhead. Shouldn’t we be able to do the same?
The Bible describes Jesus as the beginning and ending, the first and the last, the Holy One of Israel, I AM, the Prince of Peace, the Angel of the Lord, the Alpha and Omega, the Righteous Judge, the Living One, the Lamb of God, the Rose of Sharon, the Name above every Name, Wonderful, Counselor, Emanuel, God with us, Faithful, True, the Way, the Light, and KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
The Way I See It 