Introduction: In my limited exposure to
history and world religions, the claims about Jesus
seem unique. Judaism is either waiting for a Messiah
or has lost interest in the subject. Islam's highest
claim for someone who once lived on earth is
"prophet." The "god-king" claims of many earthly
rulers never seemed to extend beyond their life
here. People expected that the next ruler would
occupy the same spot as "god-king." Jesus makes
unique claims which are backed by the Old Testament
- a book accepted by Jews, Muslims and Christians.
Let's plunge right into our Bible study see what the
Bible has to say about the Deity of Jesus!
1.
Ancient of Days
1.
Read
Micah 5:2.
This is a Messianic prophecy, and we know that Jesus
was born in Bethlehem. What does this text say about
the length of time of Jesus' existence?
(His "origins" are "from old, from ancient
times.")
2.
Read
Isaiah 9:6.
What apparent contradictions do you see within this
verse? (It is filled with contradictions. The "son"
is called "Father." A "child" is called "God." One
who is "born" is called "Everlasting.")
1.
Can you logically resolve these serious
contradictions?
1.
If so, how? (The son/father contradiction is
easy. I am both a son and a father. We have seen in
history children who were called gods.
Born/everlasting is tough. It would have to refer to
someone who existed before they were born.)
2.
Creator of the Universe
1.
Read
Hebrews 1:1-3.
What does this text say about Jesus' existence
before His birth in Bethlehem? How ancient is He?
(It says that God made the universe through Jesus.
He made the place before He was born there!)
1.
Many scientists believe that there is one
grand unifying theory of the universe ("GUT"). I
believe this. God is a law of order, and the most
pedestrian person can see an underlying order to
things. (What do you know, the sun came up this
morning. How unexpected!!) I'm always on the alert
for GUT clues. What GUT clue do we find here, and
what does it have to do with Jesus' Deity? (It says
the word of Jesus currently "sustains" all things.
Some universal word power emanates from Jesus that
sustains all life.)
2.
Read
Hebrews 1:4-5.
Is Jesus a created being like the angels? (The text
clearly says that Jesus is not an angel who was
promoted or adopted to become the Son of God.)
1.
What do you make of the language that Jesus
"became ... superior" and that he "inherited" His
name? (My suggestion is that this has to do with the
incarnation. When Jesus-God became man, lived a
perfect life, died for our sins, and was
resurrected, He got "promoted" in some way. He did
something that no other member of the Trinity had
done. He did something that no one but God could do.
He defeated sin. Surely there is some sort of
recognition for that!)
3.
Read
Hebrews 1:6.
Is this proof that Jesus did not eternally
pre-exist, that He was "born?" (No. We previously
learned that Jesus created the place where he was
born, thus for Him being "born" and pre-existing are
compatible. Note especially that it refers to Jesus
being born into the "world" and not the "universe."
This reinforces the idea of His human birth.)
1.
Read
Colossians 1:18
for another suggestion about the meaning of Jesus
being "born." What new meaning does this suggest for
the term "firstborn?" (Paul refers to the Jesus'
resurrection as "firstborn from among the dead.")
4.
Read
John 3:16
in the King James Version. Is this word "begotten"
proof that Jesus was born and did not eternally
preexist? (The author of the lessons on which these
studies are based goes into a long explanation of
the Greek word (monogenes)and the way John uses the
underlying term. I think that explanation is right,
but I also think there is a much more simple answer:
Jesus was born of Mary. Thus He was "begotten." On
the other hand, the Bible clearly states that Jesus
existed before He was begotten by Mary.)
5.
Read
Hebrews 1:7-9.
If Jesus is fully God, how can He be "set above" His
"companions" the angels? Why would He need to be
"set above?" (Again, I think the whole series of
texts is arguing that Jesus is given special honor
because He overcame sin. If you look back at
Hebrews 1:3-4
it creates a sequence: Jesus provides purification
for sins and then sits down at the right hand of
God. It seems that at this point some special honor
is conferred upon Jesus. I believe this is what is
referred to in the "set above" language of
Hebrews 1:8.
No angel died for our sins. God died for us!)
6.
Read
Colossians 1:15.
How does Jesus compliment the rest of the Trinity?
(God is invisible. Jesus is the visible image of
God.)
1.
Is this meant in more than a visual sense?
(Yes. When Jesus came to earth He revealed the
character and love of God.)
2.
This text also refers to Jesus being
"firstborn." Does this refer to His birth as a human
or His resurrection?
7.
Read
Colossians 1:16-17.
This text clearly states that Jesus is the Creator
of the universe. Notice the last phrase of verse 16:
"and for Him." How was our universe (including us)
created for Jesus? (If you create something, you own
it. You take pride in it. If you create free moral
agents, you create people who can love you.)
1.
A darker thought passes through my mind. Was
our world created for the purpose of showcasing the
clash between good and evil? Was it intended to be
the ground on which Jesus would show that God was
fair and loving and worthy to be chosen over
Lucifer?
1.
Would the answer matter to your faith?
(Read
Romans 9:20-21.)
2.
Remember my GUT comments? What does the text
mean when it says (
Colossians 1:17)
"in Him all things hold together?" (Jesus emanates
some power which is also the "glue" of the
universe.)
8.
Consider the overall impact of these texts.
What do we know about Jesus? (He is no mere man. He
is no mere angel. He is the Creator who at this very
time continues to sustain the universe!)
3.
Victor Over Sin
1.
Read
Revelation 19:11-16.
Just close your eyes and imagine this scene! Who is
this Warrior? Who is the "King of Kings and Lord of
Lords?" (Verse 13 reveals that His name is "the Word
of God.")
1.
Who is the "Word of God?" (Read
John 1:1-3
and skim
John 1:14-35.
John, who also wrote the book of Revelation,
identifies Jesus as "the Word." The identification
is unmistakable. Jesus is the Warrior on the white
horse, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of
Revelation 19.)
2.
Read
Revelation 19:19-21.
We have learned that Jesus is our Creator. We know
that He died for us so that we can have eternal
life. What other fact do we learn about Jesus? (He
is the "Finisher." He destroys sin, the advocates of
sin, and unrepentant sinners.)
3.
Friend, whose side would you like to be on in the
battle between good and evil? If you have not chosen
to give your allegiance to Jesus as your God, the
time to do so is right now.
The argument for His side is overwhelming.
4.
Next week: The Reality of His Humanity.
