Dave M
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JESUS’ LIFE TESTIFIES TO HIS DEITY
Continuing our examination of whether or not Jesus is God, we now turn to what He did. If God did appear in the flesh, what would He be like? Surely, He would be able to do things that no mere human could do, including not sinning. He would also know all things (omniscience), He would have power over all things (omnipotence), and be able to be everywhere at once (omnipresence). Does Jesus meet the test?
First and foremost, Jesus was not like any human. He was born of a human virgin, but His Father was God. Because his father was not human, Jesus was born sinless since He was not in the line of Adam, through whom all people are born sinners. Unlike Adam, Jesus lived a perfect life. Hebrews 4:15 says,
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” 1 Peter 2 says, “21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.”
Jesus knows all things. Prior to His death and resurrection, He told the Pharisees to destroy the temple of His body and in three days He would raise it up (John 2:19). He knew men’s thoughts. Luke 5 says,
“21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?”
Luke 6 says,
“7 The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him. 8 But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And he got up and came forward.”
Since He created all things, Jesus had power over all things. He controls nature. In Mark 4 we read,
“36 Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.”
Deuteronomy 32:39 tells us,
“‘See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.”
Only God can give life and put to death, yet Jesus demonstrated this same ability. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus tarried before coming to see him, to ensure he would be dead when He got to him, knowing He would bring him back to life.
“17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days….41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” 44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””
Jesus is also omnipresent. Prior to His resurrection, He did not exhibit this power; He claimed it later. Speaking of God, Psalm 139 tells us,
“7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.”
Matthew 18 says,
“19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.””
Matthew 28 says,
“…20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Only God can be in more than one place at the same time.
www.versebyverseministry.org
Continuing our examination of whether or not Jesus is God, we now turn to what He did. If God did appear in the flesh, what would He be like? Surely, He would be able to do things that no mere human could do, including not sinning. He would also know all things (omniscience), He would have power over all things (omnipotence), and be able to be everywhere at once (omnipresence). Does Jesus meet the test?
First and foremost, Jesus was not like any human. He was born of a human virgin, but His Father was God. Because his father was not human, Jesus was born sinless since He was not in the line of Adam, through whom all people are born sinners. Unlike Adam, Jesus lived a perfect life. Hebrews 4:15 says,
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” 1 Peter 2 says, “21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.”
Jesus knows all things. Prior to His death and resurrection, He told the Pharisees to destroy the temple of His body and in three days He would raise it up (John 2:19). He knew men’s thoughts. Luke 5 says,
“21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?”
Luke 6 says,
“7 The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him. 8 But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” And he got up and came forward.”
Since He created all things, Jesus had power over all things. He controls nature. In Mark 4 we read,
“36 Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.”
Deuteronomy 32:39 tells us,
“‘See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.”
Only God can give life and put to death, yet Jesus demonstrated this same ability. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus tarried before coming to see him, to ensure he would be dead when He got to him, knowing He would bring him back to life.
“17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days….41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” 44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””
Jesus is also omnipresent. Prior to His resurrection, He did not exhibit this power; He claimed it later. Speaking of God, Psalm 139 tells us,
“7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.”
Matthew 18 says,
“19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.””
Matthew 28 says,
“…20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Only God can be in more than one place at the same time.
Is Jesus Really God? | Verse By Verse Ministry International
Investigate the pivotal question of Jesus' divinity. Analyzing historical accounts and scriptural evidence, understand why many believe Jesus claimed to be God and the profound ramifications this has for faith and belief.
