Dave M
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- Oct 2, 2015
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Jesus predicted His death and His resurrection. In Matthew 26, He says,
“31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.””
As we saw above, only God knows the future, and only God has the power to put to death and to give life. Yet again, Jesus claims this power for Himself. John 10 says, “17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.””
That Jesus lived and was crucified is a matter of historical record. Even the Jews could not come up with a credible explanation for Jesus’ resurrection. This is recorded in Matthew 28:
“11 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” 15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.”
If Jesus died and stayed dead, surely his scared disciples would not have had the courage to steal His body from Roman soldiers. Surely the Jews would have been able to find a body. They Jews did not even try to find a false cadaver to counter the fact that Jesus rose from the dead; instead, they came up with the story above.
Perhaps one reason why the Jews stuck to their story is that Jesus’ resurrection was testified to by many witnesses. 1 Corinthians 15 says,
“3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
Only God can put to death and give life.
CONCLUSION
Given the evidence, it’s difficult to dismiss the Deity of Jesus Christ. He claimed deity for Himself. His disciples testified to His deity. His life testified to the fact that He was no mere human, but was indeed God. The only logical conclusion is that Jesus is indeed God. This is a comfort for the Christian, and a warning for the unbeliever. We rejoice with the apostle:
“33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11)
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“31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.””
As we saw above, only God knows the future, and only God has the power to put to death and to give life. Yet again, Jesus claims this power for Himself. John 10 says, “17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.””
That Jesus lived and was crucified is a matter of historical record. Even the Jews could not come up with a credible explanation for Jesus’ resurrection. This is recorded in Matthew 28:
“11 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” 15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.”
If Jesus died and stayed dead, surely his scared disciples would not have had the courage to steal His body from Roman soldiers. Surely the Jews would have been able to find a body. They Jews did not even try to find a false cadaver to counter the fact that Jesus rose from the dead; instead, they came up with the story above.
Perhaps one reason why the Jews stuck to their story is that Jesus’ resurrection was testified to by many witnesses. 1 Corinthians 15 says,
“3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
Only God can put to death and give life.
CONCLUSION
Given the evidence, it’s difficult to dismiss the Deity of Jesus Christ. He claimed deity for Himself. His disciples testified to His deity. His life testified to the fact that He was no mere human, but was indeed God. The only logical conclusion is that Jesus is indeed God. This is a comfort for the Christian, and a warning for the unbeliever. We rejoice with the apostle:
“33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11)
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.
