If you ask random people you with get random answers. People say he is: a historical figure, a great teacher, a prophet sent by God, a myth, a good man, a creation of God, a righteous man, the Son of God and God in flesh. Some of these are true, and some of these are not. They can’t all be true if they contradict one another, but the most important ones vital to the Christian faith are: Jesus being the Son of God and God in flesh. People don’t have a problem with evidence for Jesus existence, nor do they have a problem with him being a good man or great teacher. The problem comes when Jesus claimed to be God and from God.
The problem people have with Jesus’ claims is the nature of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). How can God be three parts but one whole? Trying to answer that question will make your brain hurt; it’s making mine hurt just thinking about it. But, what we have to understand is that if we take our preconceived notions of reason—“God can’t be three and one”—and place them on God, then we are forming who we think God “should be.” Instead, what we should do is let God’s Word shape our understanding of who He is. After all, He is the divine being, creator, life-giver, and we are His creation.
Mark 1:9-13: When Jesus is baptized, we see the distinct presence of all three members of the Trinity, without the mention of the word “trinity.” A voice speaking from heaven (the Father), the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Son who is being baptized. When we read through the Gospels, it becomes clear that this Jesus isn’t just: a righteous man, a good man, a great teacher or a historical figure. Evidence for the New Testament would show that Jesus wasn’t a myth, he was a human being who died on a cross.
So, it boils down to this: do you believe the words Jesus spoke about himself? Do you believe the Gospel, that Jesus is the Son of God and Emmanuel?
A few of Jesus’ claims:
- John 14:5-11: “Philip if you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”
- John 8:58: “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
- Matthew 28:18: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
- Matthew 9:2-7: “your sins are forgiven…authority on earth to forgive sins” (Only God was able to forgive sins.)
- John 8:23: “You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be you will indeed be in your sins.”
- John 5:21-23: “has entrusted all judgement to the Son that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.”
- John 10:28-30: “…I and the Father are one.”
- John 10:38: “…that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
If Jesus wasn’t divine, how is there adequate atonement for sin? His perfection was essential in being the spotless Lamb. There is no authoritative power in His death on the cross if He isn’t Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus became a man, to represent men before God. He fulfilled all the requirements that our relationship with God demanded, and now He invites us into fellowship with Him.
If you’re still curious about Jesus being Emmanuel, read the book of John, and see who Jesus says that he is. With Jesus’ wisdom, His birth, His miracles, His death, His resurrection from the dead and His ascension, I am a believer in Jesus being the Son of God and Emmanuel.