Who is Jesus? - Part 1

John 5:19-23 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

Last Week, Pastor Obie continued in our Sunday sermon series through the book of John. He told the story of how one night at sea, a ship’s captain saw what looked like the lights of another ship heading toward him on a collision course. He had his signalman blink to the other ship: “Change your course 10 degrees south.” The reply came back, “Change your course 10 degrees north.” The ship’s captain answered, “I’m a full captain – change your course south.” To which the reply was, “Well, I’m a seaman first class – change your course north.”  This infuriated the captain, so he signaled back, “I said change your course south. I’m on a battleship.” To which the reply came, “And I say change your course north. I’m in a lighthouse.”

It is vitally important to know who you are talking to and can lead to monumental consequences when you don’t. In these passages of John chapter 5, Jesus undoubtedly declares His deity and reveals His identity as the Son of God. Christ refers to God the Father in a personal way here, being equal to God. First, Jesus claimed to be equal to God in His wisdom, possessing supernatural knowledge and discernment before they happened and as they were thought. He knew all things, having all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom. Second, Jesus claimed to be equal to God in His works. What the Father does, the Son does likewise, mirroring His holy Word, Will and Way. The source of life gives life and we find that the heart of God the Father is seen through the works of God the Son.  Third, Jesus claimed to be equal to God in His worth, through His time, resources, and actions. We find total worship through the acts of worship, as in obedience, prayer, gratitude, devotion, fellowship, giving and the care of others in heart, soul and spirit.

John 5:24-29 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Fourth, Jesus claimed to be equal to God in His Authority. John 3:35 tells us, “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.”  All authority, to execute judgment and give life to whom He will. Only God can judge; Jesus Christ is God. Judged on our sinful works, we fail. But, believers are judged on Jesus’ works.

Let's continue Pastor Obie's message on Jesus Christ in the next post.

In Christ, Brian