Christ's Divinity

Background Scripture: Matthew 2; Isaiah 9:1–7
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 2:14–15;

Introduction

Jesus once asked Peter, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Peter’s answer was comparable to the diversity of answers that many would give today. “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets” (Matt. 16:14). Jesus then asked, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter’s second answer rings out through the ages as the only acceptable reply, the one that all men need to give in order to be saved, and which brings joy to the true believer: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). This answer separates the Christian from the world and strengthens him in his spiritual battle. What will our answer be?

Key Verse

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:6–7).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Our lesson scripture is comprised of various settings in Jesus’s life: The prophecy given before His birth (Hos. 11:1), the beginning of His ministry, His miraculous power displayed on the Sea of Galilee, and, finally, the time of His crucifixion. Many other examples could have been used, including Pilate’s admission of Jesus’s kingship and the disciples’ experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. Indeed, the intense fear that the priests expressed when they heard the soldiers’ story of the resurrection of Jesus was an indicator that they thought it very possible that Jesus was divine. The blind man who received his sight asked those who confronted him if anyone had ever seen someone who could open blind eyes. Why would they doubt that Jesus had come from God?

In all these accounts there is a potent question that must be answered, Is Jesus man or God? Is He mortal or immortal, earthly or spiritual? No doubt Mary and Joseph also pondered the divinity of Jesus, although they were not skeptical like those who only heard about Mary’s visit from the angel. Even John the Baptist asked, in a time of uncertainty, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” (Matt. 11:3). This question remains to be answered by each individual who comes to the age of understanding. The answer when given from the heart makes the difference between an eternity in heaven or hell. The divinity of Christ is central to the Christian faith.

Practical Truths for Today

It is noteworthy that Jesus never commanded anyone to honor Him as the Son of God. He said to Satan, “It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Luke 4:8), but Jesus left it up to Satan to interpret who He is. He frequently referred to Himself as the Son of Man, likely for several reasons. He acknowledged Mary to be His natural mother, and He realized that He had taken upon Himself the form of man. He also wanted to get close to fallen man so that He might draw him to Himself. He longs to hear the sinner’s contrite confession of truth coming from the depths of his heart.

True belief in Jesus is without substitute. Romans 11:17–23 gives an illustration of an olive tree. It compares us to wild branches, grafted into a good stock. This account speaks clearly both of those who never joined because they did not believe and of those who once believed but were broken off because of unbelief caused by offense, pride, or selfishness. It is very clear in this passage that unbelief severs one from the Vine. Unbelievers will have no place in heaven.

The Ethiopian asked Philip what hindered him from being baptized. “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest” (Acts 8:37). And the eunuch “answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” The requirement for baptism was not whether his understanding was fully developed or if he had confessed all his sins. His answer was simple and clear, and upon that confession he was baptized.

In Revelation 5, John wept much because no one could open the book that was sealed with seven seals. This book had been closed by evil. Then John greatly rejoiced that the mighty slain Lamb, and He alone, was able to open it. This is a powerful picture symbolizing our salvation through Jesus Christ, the singular source of saving power. This cannot be overemphasized, and language is insufficient to fully portray this truth. The illustration of saints in heaven casting themselves and their crowns down before Jesus serves as a proper example of reverence.

Because “we see through a glass darkly,” we often fail in our attitude toward Jesus. It is crucial to victorious Christian living to believe in Him as our Lord and Savior, whether we are rich or poor, young or old, in the valley or on the mountain. A vibrant faith in Jesus saves to the uttermost.

In the general society of North America, it is commonplace to use the Savior’s name as a swear word. Why are no false god’s names used in this way? It appears that the name of Jesus, though often abused, is still considered supreme. The name of God the Father or Jesus the Son must never cross our lips in any way except in deep reverence. We end our prayers in Jesus’s name, realizing that it is only through His blood that our petitions are worthy to come before a great and holy God. Jesus “is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Eph. 2:14).

Satan allows people to call Jesus a prophet, a good man, a worthy example, or any other title, as long as He is not identified as the eternal, omnipotent Son of God. Some false religions of the world acknowledge Jesus as an outstanding historical figure but fail to adore and worship Him as supreme. They do not recognize Him as One who is present with us, living, loving, interceding for our sins, and guiding us by His Spirit. Though Satan goes to great effort to deceive people, he nevertheless believes in the divinity of Jesus and trembles in this truth.

The incarnation of Jesus remains a great mystery. Menno Simons felt vulnerable when his opponents attacked him on this point. Even though there may be things about Jesus we do not fully understand, we know that to deny His divinity is to deny the truth of the Bible. The angel announced to Mary that she would bring forth a son, should name Him Jesus, and that he would be called the Son of God and the Son of the Highest (Luke 1:31–32, 35). John the Baptist stated “I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34). At Jesus’s baptism, a voice from heaven announced, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). Peter, in his great confession said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16).

This doctrine has been clearly set out in The Thirty-three Articles of Faith. It states that “The Father is the true Father, who begat the Son before all time, and from whom the Son proceeded and came” (Article 4). And again, “His flesh or body became flesh, not of Mary or of any created substance, but only of the Word of life which had come down from heaven” (Article 14).

Isaiah prophesied of Jesus’s divine conception and virgin birth, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14). In modern terms, Jesus’s earthly DNA was not that of Mary or any other particular person, but an eternal body from heaven. He took upon Himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7). His physical being drew nurture from her, just as He later drew nourishment from the same food that others ate. He was true God and true man, and thus He alone was entitled to bridge the mighty gulf between fallen man and a holy God. May we not hesitate to believe that Jesus is a real person, and may we give Him the place that He deserves in our daily life so we can praise Him forever in eternity.

Questions

1. Jesus chided those who believed Him only because of the loaves and fishes. Are we too eager for tangible evidence that Jesus is a real person?
2. “With the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10). Are we willing to confess Christ as our personal Savior today, even if it brings us ridicule or death?
3. Does our outward appearance and walk of life portray our belief in Christ? What could we change to become more Christlike?
4. Discuss the meaning of the second question of our baptismal vow: “Do you believe in Jesus Christ, as the only begotten Son of God, that He is the Savior of mankind, that He died upon the cross as a ransom for our sins, and that through Him we have eternal life?”
5. Unsubscribe

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).