ODJ: incredible claim

March 15, 2015 

READ: John 10:22-42 

The Father and I are one (v.30).

People frequently leave advertisements on my doorstep for services such as landscaping, gutter cleaning and pest control. One day I found a different sort of pamphlet on my welcome mat—one full of Bible verses, all of which seemed to be correct. The leaflet also identified Jesus in its copy. But as I looked closer, however, I noticed that the words did not describe Him accurately. The publisher of the pamphlet denied that Jesus is truly God.

Jesus confirmed His deity when one of His disciples said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied” (John 14:8). Jesus responded, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” (v.9). To further explain, He said, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (v.11). Passing along this information was safe in the presence of His followers, but dangerous in other settings.

In a temple in Jerusalem, a group of people encircled Jesus and questioned Him about His identity. He said, “The Father and I are one” (10:30). His words ignited a murderous spirit in the crowd. “The people picked up stones to kill [Jesus]” (v.31). Facing His enemies, Jesus questioned their violent motives. They explained, “We’re stoning you for . . . blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God” (v.33).

Jesus encouraged His would-be attackers to consider the miracles He had performed. If they wouldn’t believe His words, they could believe His works. For He had restored a blind man’s vision, healed a man who couldn’t walk, walked on water like dry land and miraculously multiplied one lunch to feed thousands of people.

Although Jesus’ accusers refused to believe in Him and even plotted to kill Him, they never disproved His incredible claim to be God. Christ was and is “the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day plan: Ruth 1:1-22

MORE
Read Matthew 1:23 to see what the name “Immanuel” means. Look up John 8:58 to learn about how Jesus’ existence in eternity past testifies about His identity as God. 
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How does Jesus’ claim to be God set Him apart from other spiritual leaders and prophets? What would you say to someone who doesn’t believe that Jesus is God?