We sometimes hear people say that they consider Jesus a great teacher or a prophet, but nothing more. It’s difficult to say what they mean by that; I suspect that many haven’t thought through the implications of what they’re saying, so they aren’t really clear themselves what they mean by it.

But when you actually read what Jesus said and taught, you have to conclude that He was either God made flesh, or a raving lunatic, because He Himself clearly claimed to be God. Anyone who makes that claim had better be able to back it up, for example, by doing miracles that no one else can do, or by rising from the dead. If they can’t, we should write that person off as a nut case and pay no attention to anything he says.

The Jewish authorities in His day refused to believe that Jesus was who He claimed to be, in spite of all the proof that He offered. They decided that He had to be killed in order to preserve the integrity of the nation of Israel. By engineering His death they provided the opportunity for the final proof of His claims, because He did rise from the dead, right on schedule, three days later.

…that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
John 5:23

There is no middle ground. Either He is who He claimed to be, or He should be written off as one more poor deluded madman in the dust heap of History. But if He is who He claimed to be, I’d better pay attention to everything He said!

Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to us back then, and for revealing Yourself to me, now. I know that You are who You said You were and so I believe Your words are true: my sins are forgiven, my chains are gone, and I’m free to live for You, today. Thank You, Lord! Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles