Who is Jesus?
Many people have heard the name of Jesus, yet still wonder who He truly is and why His life matters today. Was He simply a wise teacher, a prophet, or something more? The Bible presents Jesus as the Son of God who came in love to forgive sin, restore broken lives, and invite each person into a personal relationship with Him. Take a few minutes to consider what Jesus said about Himself—and what His love means for you.
Historically and today, people-both religious and non-religious- have offered several different answers to the question, “Who is Jesus?” If you asked people around you, you might hear that Jesus was a first-century rabbi, a historical figure who gathered disciples and preached about the kingdom of God. Others might say a prophet, the Messiah, a miracle worker. Still others might say, a Jewish teacher crucified by Rome or a holy teacher and spiritual guide. In modern secular
thought, He may be described as a moral philosopher, social reformer, or radical ethical teacher.
However, according to the Bible, Jesus did more than claim to be a teacher or prophet. He claimed authority, identity, and honor that belong to God alone. Certainly, His followers concluded that God had come among them in the person of Jesus Christ. So, who is Jesus and what claims did He make about Himself?
Jesus and the "I AM" claim
First, Jesus uses God’s divine name – “I AM.” This is the name that God gave to Moses when Moses asked for His name. Exodus 3:14 In John 8:58, Jesus said, “Before Abraham was born, I am.” This statement is one of the clearest examples of His divinity.
This is extremely significant because the phrase “I AM” echoes the divine name God revealed to Moses: “I AM WHO I AM.” So the Jewish listeners immediately understood Jesus’ unthinkable statement as a claim to divinity. As a result, they picked up stones to stones to stone Him for blasphemy. John 8:59
He Claimed Unity With God
In addition, Jesus said: “I and the Father are one” John 10:30 Once again, the response of the listeners shows how they understood Jesus’ statement as they replied to Jesus: “You, being a man, make yourself God.” John 10:33
He claimed authority to forgive sins
Furthermore, Holy Scripture teaches that only God can forgive our sins. Yet Jesus said to the paralyzed man: “My Son, your
sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 The teachers of the law said, “What? This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?” Mark 2:5-7 Then Jesus healed the paralyzed man and told him to pick up his mat and walk.
This leads us to the heart of the gospel: Christ died for our sins just as the Scriptures said. As the sinless Son of God, He took the punishment for sin so that those who believe in Him can have their sins forgiven.
Jesus was buried and raised from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 John 1:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:13-14; Matthew 26:28
He claims to be the judge of the world
Moreover, Jesus claimed a role that belongs to God alone. After Jewish leaders began to harass Him for healing a paralyzed man on the Sabbath, Jesus said, “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgement to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. But if you refuse to honor the Son, then you are certainly not honoring the Father who sent him” John 5:22-23 In other words, Jesus claimed the same honor as the Father. His fuller response can be read in John 5:17-47
Jesus accepted worship
Not only did Jesus make these claims, but He also accepted worship. In scripture, worship belongs only to God. Yet those in the boat worshipped Him when He calmed a severe wind storm. “Those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” Matthew 14:33
Likewise, when Thomas saw the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and feet and the wound in His side, he said, “My Lord and My God.” Jesus accepted this confession. The apostle Peter declared in Matthew 16:16 “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” and Jesus affirmed this statement.
Similarly, after Jesus healed a blind man, He asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, Who is he, sir, because I would like to. Jesus replied: “You have seen him, and he is speaking to you!” The healed man replied “Yes Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Jesus. John 9:35-38
More examples can be found in Colossians 2:9; John 1:1,14; Matthew 28:8-9; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10
Importantly, Jesus never rebuked people for worshiping Him.
Divine works of Jesus- Things He did that only God does
Beyond His words and the worship He received, Jesus did things that only God does:
- Jesus created all things. John 1:1-4
- He controls nature. Mark 4:39
- He raises the dead John 11:32-45
- Jesus has authority over eternal life. John 11:25-26
- One with God. John 14:9
- Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with something to be used to his own advantage….Philippians 2:6-11
Taken together, these truths show that the Bible presents Jesus as fully human, fully divine, the Son of God and the Savior who died and rose again.
Why these claims matter
Therefore, Jesus’ claims force us to make a decision about Him.
C.S. Lewis, a Christian writer, summarized the logical possibilities: Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or truly Lord. Jesus asks each of us, “who do you say that I am?”
Indeed, the New Testament does not simply say Jesus was a prophet or teacher. It repeatedly takes Old Testament passages about Yahweh and applies them to Jesus, strongly suggesting that the earliest Christians believed Jesus shared in the identity and authority of God Himself.
Jesus said in John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
Discover His Love and Invitation!
Ultimately, a personal relationship with Jesus begins when we realize His great love and sacrifice for us; when we realize our brokenness and sin. He is the Messiah who chose to take on human flesh and come as our Lord and Savior.
From the beginning, the Old Testament showed that forgiveness of sin requires a blood sacrifice. Animals – often lambs without blemish – were sacrificed for the sins of the people. But Jesus came into the world to fulfill that purpose once and for all. He became the final sacrifice for sin because Jesus is the sinless, perfect Lamb of God who died so that we can receive forgiveness of sin and have a loving relationship with Him for eternity.
Because of this great love, Scripture says: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone (your name) who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no judgement awaiting those who trust Him. John 3:16,17
Finally, He invites us to believe in Him and receive eternal life. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…Romans 10:9 for ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:13
Further Reading on Jesus love and His plan of salvation.
The Biblical Way of Salvation: God’s Plan from Start to Finish | Bible Study Toolbox
