Who is Jesus Christ?
Who Is Jesus Christ? Understanding His Identity and Deity
The question of Jesus Christ’s existence is not heavily debated; historical records and evidence affirm that He lived in Israel approximately 2,000 years ago. However, the debate intensifies when discussing His true identity. Was Jesus merely a prophet, a great moral teacher, or something much greater? While many world religions acknowledge Jesus as a significant figure, only Christianity recognizes Him as God in human flesh. The Bible is unequivocal: Jesus is not merely a good teacher or a godly man—He is the eternal Son of God, God incarnate, and the Savior of the world.
Jesus’ Claims of Deity
Jesus Christ made bold claims about His identity, leaving no room for ambiguity. John 10:30 (NKJV) records Jesus saying, “I and My Father are one.” While this statement might not seem extraordinary at first glance, the reaction of the Jews reveals its significance. They attempted to stone Him, declaring, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God” (John 10:33, NKJV). Jesus neither corrected their understanding nor retracted His statement, confirming that He indeed claimed equality with God.
In John 8:58 (NKJV), Jesus stated, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” By using the term “I AM,” Jesus applied to Himself the name of God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14 (NKJV): “I AM WHO I AM.” The Jews understood this as a direct claim to deity and sought to stone Him for blasphemy (John 8:59, NKJV).
Biblical Evidence of Jesus’ Deity
The New Testament is replete with affirmations of Jesus’ divine nature:
John 1:1, 14 (NKJV): “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 beheld His glory.”
John 20:28 (NKJV): When Thomas saw the risen Jesus, he declared, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus did not correct him but accepted the declaration.
Titus 2:13 (NKJV): Paul describes Jesus as “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:1 (NKJV): Peter writes about “our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 1:8 (NKJV): God the Father says of the Son, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.”
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV): The prophet Isaiah foretold of the Messiah: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Why Jesus’ Deity Matters
Understanding Jesus’ identity is essential for the Christian faith. If Jesus is not God, then:
Jesus’ claims would make Him untrustworthy. As C.S. Lewis famously argued in Mere Christianity, a man who claimed to be God but was not would either be a lunatic or a liar—not a good moral teacher.
The apostles’ testimony would be false. The foundation of Christianity rests on the witness of those who walked with Jesus and proclaimed His deity.
Our salvation would be impossible. Only a sinless and infinite God could provide an eternal and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 (NKJV) states, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” Jesus, as both fully God and fully man, was uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God.
Jesus would not be the Savior. The Bible declares in Hosea 13:4 (NKJV), “You shall know no God but Me; for there is no Savior besides Me.” If Jesus is the Savior, then He must be God.
Jesus as the God-Man
The Bible teaches that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. This dual nature is essential to His role as Redeemer:
As God, Jesus is sinless and possesses infinite worth, qualifying Him to bear the wrath of God against sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) explains, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
As man, Jesus could physically die, paying the penalty for sin on our behalf. Romans 5:8 (NKJV) says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
As the God-Man, Jesus is the perfect mediator between God and humanity. 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) declares, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
The Only Way to Salvation
Jesus Himself declared in John 14:6 (NKJV), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” His exclusive claim underscores the necessity of faith in Him for salvation. Acts 4:12 (NKJV) affirms, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Conclusion: Recognizing Jesus for Who He Truly Is
The identity of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. He is not merely a prophet, teacher, or moral guide—He is the eternal Son of God, the Creator of all things, and the Savior of the world. Philippians 2:10–11 (NKJV) declares, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Each person must answer the question Jesus asked His disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15, NKJV). Peter’s response remains the confession of every true believer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16, NKJV). Let us affirm this truth, worship Him as Lord, and proclaim His name to a world in need of salvation.
