What does the Bible say about Jesus?

Written by: Mario Carranza

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

Matthew 16 records one of the most important exchanges in all of scripture. Jesus is inquiring with His disciples regarding what the people are saying about His identity. The people had mixed opinions regarding who He was, but most believed that He was one of the prophets of old. In response to their report, Jesus asked, what is easily, one of the most important questions that anyone has ever asked. He asked His disciples “But who do you say that I am?” More than 2000 years have passed since this exchange took place and this question continues to echo through the generations; summoning men and women from every nation on Earth to come forth and give their response. Every one of us will have to face that question at one point or another in our lives and our answer will, in no small part, determine the fate of our souls.

WHO IS JESUS OF NAZARETH?

The person of Jesus of Nazareth has intrigued scholars and historians for centuries; both religious and secular alike. William E. H. Lecky, an Irish historian who lived in the 19^th century, said the following about Jesus:

“The character of Jesus has not only been the highest pattern of virtue, but the strongest incentive in its practice and has exerted so deep an influence that it may be truly said that the simple record of three short years of active life has done more to regenerate and to soften mankind than all the disquisitions of philosophers and all the exhortations of moralists.”

Lecky’s assessment of the impact and influence of Jesus’ life is an excellent one. Many others have expressed the same sentiment over the centuries. Considering the enormity of His influence, the transcendence of His message, and the sacrificial devotion of His followers, we can safely say that we are not discussing an ordinary man. So, who did Jesus claim to be? What did His followers believe about Him? Most importantly, what does the scripture say about Him?

DID HE CLAIM TO BE GOD?

Many major religions teach that Jesus was a prophet or a good teacher or a wise man. But the Bible tells us that Jesus was infinitely more than any of those things. The Apostle John begins his gospel account with a declaration that leaves no room for doubt. He writes: 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1,14). 

There are some who claim that because Jesus never explicitly called Himself “God” that therefore He never claimed divinity. Nothing could be further from the truth. In John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” There was no misunderstanding from the Jews regarding this statement. They immediately picked up stones and were ready to stone Him for what they understood to be a blasphemous statement. They said:

“For a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” (John 10:33 emphasis added)

This isn’t the first time the Jews attempted to cast their stones of judgment. In John 8:58 Jesus made a stunning declaration that, again, was not misunderstood by the Jewish leaders. Jesus said, “Before Abraham was born, I am.” The Jews, upon hearing Him, clearly understood that He was claiming preexistence. More serious than that, they were appalled to hear Him appropriate the memorial name of God. Jesus called Himself “Yahweh” the great “I AM” of Exodus 3:14.

The Apostle Peter addresses his second letter “to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1 emphasis added). These passages along with many others testify that the writers of the New Testament unanimously agreed and vehemently believed that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh.

HOW DO WE KNOW IF HIS CLAIMS ARE TRUE?

The greatest proof of Jesus’ divinity and the only reason for our blessed hope of eternal life is His resurrection from the dead. This was the moment that changed everything. No other event in human history is of more importance than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote the following to the church in Corinth:

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.” 

(1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Paul states four important facts in this text:

1. Christ died for our sins.
2. Christ was buried,
3. Christ was raised on the third day,
4. Christ appeared to His followers.

He prefaced these facts by saying that they were of “first importance” meaning that they are central and cardinal tenets of the gospel message.

It’s interesting to note that the Jewish belief regarding the Messiah did not include him dying, and certainly not by crucifixion. In fact, according to Jewish law, the manner of Jesus’ execution showed him to be nothing more than a criminal cursed by God (Deuteronomy 21:23). Their beliefs about the Messiah said nothing about him coming back to life. The Jews only believed in a general resurrection at the end of time (see John 11:24)

How, then, did the disciples come to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead despite all of their beliefs and traditions saying the opposite? 

Something happened that radically transformed them into the courageous men that would later endure severe persecution and suffer horrendous deaths for refusing to deny their faith in Christ. 

What happened to them? THEY SAW HIM ALIVE! 

They held on to His feet (Matthew 28:9-10). 

They ate with Him (John 21:1-25). 

They touched the wounds on His hands and body (John 20:26-29). 

They saw Him ascend to Heaven (Luke 24:50-53) 

They saw Him! 

Paul stated that the resurrection was God’s vindication of Jesus and all His claims. He ends his discourse to the Athenians at Mars Hill with these words:

“[God] has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man who He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31, emphasis added)

SO WHAT’S YOUR ANSWER?

Given the totality of evidence and the weight of scripture in support of His claims, there is only one answer to Jesus’ question. It is the answer given by Simon Peter: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It should be noted that Peter made this declaration before many of these events took place. Jesus had not yet been crucified, much less raised from the dead. So, how did Peter know the right answer? Jesus said:

“Blessed are you Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17)

May the Holy Spirit do the same in your life. May He give you a revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ that is so powerful and transformational that you too will boldly declare “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

May this revelation of Jesus Christ drive you into His mission. May you run into the nations to declare that He has risen so that many from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation may also believe and declare “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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