DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Did Jesus Claim to be God?
By Dave Mann
Have you ever heard someone state that Jesus never claimed to be divine and that it was only the church councils hundreds of years after Jesus walked the earth that claimed that for him? The one who says that Jesus never gave evidence of being divine has not read the New Testament attentively. Today’s text is one of many times when Jesus clearly demonstrates divine authority.
In verse 26, Jesus states “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.” All ordinary human beings are given life by their parents. Only God has life in and of himself. God’s self-description is "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14).
When Jesus encountered a paralytic, he not only healed him but also forgave his sins. The Pharisees were astounded that Jesus would claim this authority. The religious leaders were rightly offended, that is, IF Jesus did not have divine authority. But if he was God he was in his appropriate zone (Mark 2:1-12).
When Thomas, the doubting disciple, finally encountered the risen Christ face to face, he fell at the feet of Jesus and proclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus accepted this proclamation of faith as valid. He did not refuse to receive this worship reserved for God only (John 20:27-28). Contrarily, John the disciple fell in worship at the feet of an angel. The angel refused to accept his worship due to God alone (Revelation 22:8-9).
Let us conclude today’s devotional with the words of C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity.
“I am trying to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic–on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg–or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, the second person of the Holy Trinity from before the foundation of the world, you chose to become incarnate in human flesh. You walked this earth, you suffered rejection, pain, crucifixion, and rose again. You give life to all who believe in you. May my heart, body, and soul fall before you, proclaiming you to be my Lord and my God. Amen!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DAVE MANN
I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.
Pastor Dave, you always write something that forces the reader to think and make a decision. This is one of your best. The CS Lewis quote of, "He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” was the perfect mike drop for this lesson!
He leaves no question in this passage.
Thanks for the insight!