Who Is This Jesus? Lesson 2

Jesus shared equality with God the father

• That equality Jesus shared was lowered when he took on human form. There was a reason why he took human form. He had to become like us, live in the flesh to suffer and experience human death. The assertion of being "one" with the Father is a profound declaration of Jesus' divinity. The Greek word for "one" (hen) used here implies unity of essence or nature, not merely agreement or purpose. Every quality that is in God the father is also in God the son.
• Philippians 2:5-8
  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!
• John 1:14
  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
• 1 John 1:1-2
  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

The equality of Jesus with God was a problem

• The Jews misunderstood the union and relationship of God the father and God the Son. So, they tried to kill him, because he made himself equal with God.
• John 10:30-31I and the Father are one.” Again, his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
• John 5:18
  Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
• John 17:21-23
  That all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one. I in them and You in Me that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

The father is greater than the son

• This phrase has been the subject of much discussion. It emphasizes the functional subordination of the Son to the Father during His earthly ministry, without implying inequality in essence or nature. This aligns with the doctrine of the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal. The statement reflects Jesus' humility and obedience, where He willingly submits to the Father's will.
• John 14:28
  “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
• 1 Corinthians 11:3
  But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
• Luke 22:42
  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Jesus is the image of the father

• Jesus is the precise imprint of God's essence. The Greek term used here refers to an engraving or stamp, indicating that Jesus embodies God's character and attributes fully. This describes Christ as the image of the invisible God. It underscores the belief in the Trinity, where Jesus is distinct yet fully God. The phrase Jesus is the image of God, emphasizes the unique nature of Jesus Christ as the perfect representation of God. In biblical context, "image" implies a likeness or representation. Jesus embodies the fullness of God, making the invisible God known to humanity. When Jesus responded to Philip, that he should show him the father, he was looking at what God the father is all about, and looks like in divine qualities. It is not that Jesus and God the father are the same person.
• John 14:9
  Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still, you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
• Hebrews 1:3
  Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
• Colossians 1:15
  The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Things the father knows but the son does not know

• During the time when the son took on flesh, he lowered himself. Thus, there were things only the father in the relationship knew. That does not dimmish his divinity. This final phrase asserts the unique authority and knowledge of God the Father. It emphasizes the distinct roles within the Trinity, where the Father holds certain knowledge and authority. This aligns with the biblical portrayal of God as the ultimate sovereign, who alone determines the times and seasons. The exclusivity of the Father's knowledge serves to remind believers of the need for trust and faith in God's perfect plan and timing, encouraging them to live in a state of readiness and anticipation for the fulfillment of His promises.
• Matthew 24:36
  “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
• Acts 1:7
  Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.

Jesus was worshipped

• Worship is reserved for God. Since Jesus was worshiped and accepted it, that makes him God, and equal with God.
• Matthew 4:10
  Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
• Matthew 2:11
  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
• Matthew 28:8-9
  So, the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
• Matthew 14:33
  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus was before Abraham

• People and religious leaders who heard Jesus misunderstood him. They saw him as mere human. They did not understand that he was God dwelling among men. He existed before he came to earth. That was difficult for people to understand.
• John 8:56-59
  Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Jesus was sent

• Jesus was sent to earth to do the work of the father. In the relationship that exist in the trinity, there is a sent and a sender. The sender is not the sent, and the sent is not the sender. They are two distinct persons but they work as one.
• John 6:38-39
  For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
• John 4:34
  Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.
• John 8:29
  He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”
• John 14:26
  “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father he will testify about me.
• John 15:26
  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Jesus and power

• Power and authority were given to Jesus. Who gave him the authority? The giver of power is not the same person who is receiving power. At the end, he will give back that authority.
• Matthew 28:18
  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
• 1 Corinthains 15:24
  Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

Jesus is called God

• The scriptures confirm that Jesus is God. He has all the fullness of God in him. He cannot be God and a created being at the same time.
• Hebrews 1:8
  But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
• Isaiah 9:6-7
  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Jesus existed before creation

• Jesus was there before anything or anyone was created. A decision was made for him to be the sacrifice for sin. He did not choose himself to be the sacrifice for sin. When Adam fell, things were set in motion for him to come to the world.
• 1 Peter 1:18-21
  For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
• John 1:29
  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
•  Jesus is the ruler and origin of God’s creation
  Creation came from Jesus He brought creation into existence. He rules creation. Therefore, he is the creator.
• Revelation 3:14
  “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Origin of the creation of God, says this:

The sonship of Jesus

• God has many sons. All persons born and brought into the world are called sons of God. Both men and women are called sons of God. Jesus is a special son. John called him the only begotten. The Greek word monogenes is used, and it means; only begotten, one of a kind or type, unique, one and only. That is used to distinguish Jesus from man, and the unique relationship he has with the father.
• John 3:16
  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
• 1 John 3:1
  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
• Romans 8:14
  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Physical and spiritual sonship of Jesus

• The relationship between God the father and Jesus, has been misunderstood, misinterpreted and twisted, to teach something that the bible does not support. God physically did not give birth to a son. God did not create Jesus. Jesus is creator. He was alongside God creating the world. God is speaking figuratively of the relationship he and Jesus have. A father and son relationship.
• Hebrews 1:5
  For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"?
• Psalm 2:7
  I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.

When was Jesus made a son?

• This question has been a source of debate. There are many questions. Isaiah predicted that he would be a son. The angel Gabriel announced the conception and birth of a son. God acknowledged and confirmed the sonship of Jesus at his baptism. Was he a son while in heaven and before he came to the world? Was he made a son when he was born of Mary? Was he declared a son when he was baptized?
• Isaiah 9:6
  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
• Matthew 1:21
  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
• Matthew 3:16-17
  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
• Isaiah 7:14
  Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
• Luke 1:31
  Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.

Jesus is greater than the created

• Only God is to be worshipped. Since angels worshipped Jesus, he was greater than the created angels. He created them. So, they worshipped him. He is not Michael the arch angel. Michael the arch angel was created.
• Hebrews 1:6
  And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
• Luke 2:13-14
  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Jesus is creator and God

• Jesus is God and creator. Any teaching and belief that says or teach other wise is false, twisted and contrary to sound doctrine and scripture. He is God and creator.
• Colossians 1:16
  For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.