Ten letters that are everything: Jesus is God

Not everything that is commonly known is worth saying or repeating. Consider two examples.
Feel free to finish the sayings.
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe...
...then whipped them all soundly and put them to bed. Really? When did we start condoning child abuse?
Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater...
...Put her in a pumpkin shell. And there he kept her very well. What? Restraining your wife who wants to get away? Sounds like someone is going to jail.
Much more serious note, we can see how statements about Jesus can be easily mistaken. A survey of questions about who Jesus is might reveal very weak theology. Popular opinions about Jesus define him as: a good man, a great teacher, or a miracle worker.
Understanding who Jesus is becomes a critical part of our faith. Ten letters capture it all: Jesus is God. Ten letters. Three words. Our faith depends on the truth of this phrase.
Jesus made the unmistakable claim to be divine. He said, “Before Abraham was born, I Am!” (John 8:58)
The religious establishment understood that Jesus was using the divine name of Yahweh to refer to Himself. They responded with a desire to stone Him to death.
Jesus gave a similar thought on other occasions. In John 10:30 he said, “I and the Father are one.” Jesus made no effort to hide His knowledge that during His time on earth He was God.
Other Biblical authors echoed Jesus’ statements. Two Scripture references make this truth clear.
Colossians 1:15-19
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of
his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
The Bible leaves no room for doubt. Jesus is God. There is never a time when Jesus was not. If Jesus’ claims to be God are not true, then either He was deluded or He was a deceiver. If Jesus is not divine. He is either crazy or crafty. If He is not who He says He is that makes Him either a maniac or manipulative.
Or He is God. From the moment of His conception Jesus was 100 percent divine. He stayed God in flesh until He ascended into Heaven. Then He sat again on His throne beside the Father.
He resumed that position He had from all eternity. Since He is divine His death on our behalf is meaningful. Because He is God in flesh, He powerfully intercedes on our behalf before the Father.
Most who read these words easily accept Jesus’ divinity. Others struggle to accept this monumental truth. I offer seven proofs of His divinity.
A more detailed description, complete with Biblical references can be found on our web site. Calvary Baptist Church - Study With Calvary (calvarybaptistperryville.com)
Jesus is All Powerful (Omnipotent)
When storms brought fear, Jesus calmed them. When stomachs growled in hunger, Jesus fed them. When death brought pain, Jesus raised Lazarus. In every setting Jesus demonstrated that He had the power of God.
Jesus is Eternal
Jesus’ self-identification as existing before Abraham was is echoed throughout Scripture. As Scripture winds down Jesus is identified as the Alpha and Omega. He was God before creation and will be God when He welcomes us home to our home in heaven.
Jesus is All Knowing
In multiple settings Jesus demonstrated His great knowledge.
Dr. Mike Friesz is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Perryville. He may be reached by email at drmikefriesz@sbcglobal.net. Read more online at http://www. calvarybaptistperryville. com/blog.