Who Is Jesus

Many, many people have heard of Jesus. But many people really do not know who Jesus is. Was he some ancient sage? Was a he merely a religious teacher? Who is this Jesus? Many have an opinion about Jesus. But do you know how much my opinion is worth? It is worth no more than your opinion. In fact, it is worthless compared to the only authority for who Jesus is, which is God's word. Not my word, not your word, but God's word. So, we will look at what God's word says about Jesus.

1) Jesus existed before his birth

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. ...And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, 'This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me''." (John 1:1-15)

This passage makes it clear that Jesus was there with God in the beginning. This could explain why God says "Let us make man in our image" instead of "Let me make man in my image" in Genesis 1-2. There is also another passage that speaks of the existence of Christ before his birth:

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2)

This was a prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6). Notice the affirmation that Jesus existed from "the days of eternity."

" 'Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.' The Jews therefore said to Him, 'You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.' " (John 8:56-58). Jesus was around before Abraham. He didn't say I was, but I am.

2) Jesus is God

This is a difficult concept to grasp. How could Jesus be God? The Bible teaches that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:1-3). Does this mean there is more than one God if Jesus is God too? The answer is no. According to Ephesians 4:6, there is "one God and Father over all . . .". But notice in Ephesians 4:5, it says that there is "one Lord . . .". Is this talking about one and the same thing? The answer is no. The term Lord was often used in the New Testament as a Title for Jesus. The term "Father" is never used for Jesus. Jesus and the Father are one, but they are not the same. Consider the following passages of scripture:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. ...And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, 'This is He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me." (John 1:1-3, 14-15) This passage tells of the "word" who was with God and was himself God. He created the universe and later became "flesh" and lived among us. John the Baptist prepared the way for the Word that had become flesh.

"No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him" (John 1:18); "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:7); "...You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world." (John 8:23); "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30); "...He who has seen Me has seen the Father..." (John 14:9). Jesus, the "only begotten God" has explained God in his life. The word became "flesh", and if man wants to know God, they must know Jesus. Jesus is God become flesh, but he is not the Father.

"But of the Son he says 'Thy Throne, O God, is forever and ever..." (Hebrews 1:8) The first chapter of Hebrews is talking about how Jesus is better than the Angels. The term here used of Jesus is "God".