Tag: gospel of John

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Who Do You Think You Are?

When God introduced himself to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, he spoke from a bush that was on fire and told Moses to remove his sandals because he was on holy ground.

When Moses asked how God wanted to be identified, God said, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). This is a way of saying, “I am the one who exists. I was, I always will be, and I am always the same.” This is related to the name Yahweh, or Jehovah. This name for God means that he is the eternally self-existent God.

Jesus Christ used this name of himself in the gospel of John (John 8:42-59). When some religious leaders objected to his teachings, they said, “We are descendants of Abraham. Who do you think you are?” They accused him of being a Samaritan (a despised outsider) and demon-possessed (crazy).

In reply, Jesus made an astounding claim, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad. . . .  Before Abraham was born, I AM!” This is clearly a claim to deity. The name “I AM” implies eternal existence. Jesus was saying that he existed before Abraham was born.

Jesus knew what he was saying. He knew that the name “I AM” was recognized in Israel as a title of deity. He was claiming to be divine and his opponents knew it. That is why they picked up stones to stone him to death for blasphemy. Jesus did not deny that that is what he meant to say. His enemies were right. He was claiming to be God in the flesh.

“You are from below,” Jesus had said to them. “I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23). “I am the one I claim to be” (John 8:24, 28).

Statements such as these, if they are not true, must be the babblings of a person with serious mental problems. But Jesus’ powerful miracles and good deeds are not the works of a crazy person with delusions of grandeur. The wisdom of his teachings refutes the false idea that he was out of touch with reality. Multitudes were attracted to his compassion and composure. They recognized the inherent truth and authority of his words. They witnessed the power of God in his miracles.

The fact that Jesus took the divine name for himself meant that he and he alone could meet the deepest needs of human beings. He audaciously made himself the center of his teaching,

He said, “I AM the bread of life” (John 6:35). He used bread as a metaphor for eternal salvation. If people will eat the spiritual bread God provides, they will live forever, he said (John 8:51, 58).

“I AM the light of the world,” Jesus said (John 8:12). Darkness pictures ignorance, sin and death. Light pictures salvation. “God is light” (1 John 1:5).

“I AM the gate” (John 10:7-9). “Whoever enters through me shall be saved.”

“I AM the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). The shepherd of Israel was the Lord himself (Psalm 23:1). “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

At the graveside of his friend Lazarus Jesus announced, “I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies” (John 11:35). Then he proceeded to raise Lazarus from the dead. This happened in the presence of eyewitnesses. Even Jesus’ enemies could not deny or refute this miracle (John 11:45-48).

“I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He could not make a claim like this and not be divine. He was saying “I am your only way to God. I am your only way to heaven.” Why would he say this? Because he is truly the son of God and God the son.

Then he said to his disciples, “I AM the true vine” (John 15:1,5). You are the branches. Remain close to me (abide in me) and draw your life from me and you will bear fruit.

If you were to ask Jesus, “Who do you think you are?” he would calmly reply, “I AM.”

He is the one who was, who is, and who always will be. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). As the eternally divine son of God, Jesus has the authority to give eternal life to those who put their faith in him. He said so and I believe him. Do you?

Pastor Randy Faulkner

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Jesus and You in 2022

Recently I read the claim, put forward by a clergyman, no less, that Jesus never stated that he was the divine son of God. This writer would have us believe that what we have are Jesus’ “daily and constant declarations about how to be human and how we are to imitate him in his humanity.”

Jesus was most certainly human. But to imply that this cancels his claim to deity is is to misread the New Testament and to misunderstand Jesus’ plain words about his divine nature. If we take the Bible seriously we cannot escape the conclusion that it teaches us that Jesus is both God and man.

Even our Lord’s favorite name for himself, “Son of man,” is a messianic title taken from the Old Testament. It implies his ideal and perfect humanity. It also teaches his lordship, kingship, and ultimate rule over the whole world in a divine kingdom that will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-15).

So as we enter a new year let it be with the intention of keeping Jesus in the central place in our lives. “In all your ways acknowledge him” (Proverbs 3:6). “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11). Jesus even said that we are to honor him in the same way that we honor the Father in heaven. “Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him” (John 5:23).

In responding to his critics in John chapter 8, Jesus repeated the claim that he came from the Father, God, who sent him. “I stand with the Father who sent me” (v.16). “My other witness is the Father who sent me” (v. 18). “He who sent me is reliable” (v. 26). “The one who sent me is with me” (v. 29). “I have come from God” (v. 42). “He sent me” (v. 42).

Jesus also stated that his teachings came from God. “What I have heard from him I tell to the world” (v. 26). “I speak just what the Father has taught me” (v.28). “I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence” (v. 38). “I know him (the Father) and keep his word” (v. 55).

In John 14 Jesus said that we are to believe in him with the same faith that we reserve for God. “You believe in God; believe in me” (v. 1) “No one comes to the Father except through me” (v. 6). “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (v. 9). “I am in the Father and the father is in me” (v. 10). “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).

These are astounding claims. If they are true then in this new year of our Lord 2022 we must respond with some resolutions. With the disciple Thomas we must worship him as “my Lord and my God” (John 20:28). We must obey him as he told his followers, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching” (John 14:23). When we pray to God, we must approach him in the name (on the authority) of Jesus. “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 15:24). Added to these is the great commandment: “Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

Many African American churches have “watchnight” prayer services on New Years’ Eve. There is testifying, singing, preaching and, and as midnight approaches, fervent prayer for the new year that is ahead. What a great way to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus in the new year! It would not be a bad idea if every new day in 2022 began with our heartfelt declaration: “Jesus Christ is Lord!”

Pastor Randy Faulkner