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Who is Jesus?

John 8:25-30
‘Who are you?’ they asked. ‘Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,’ Jesus replied. ‘I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.’ They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.’ Even as he spoke, many believed in him. (NIVUK)

There was no doubt that Jesus was a very remarkable person.  John the Apostle, having observed Jesus’ life, death and resurrection was sure that Jesus is the Son of God (John 1:34; John 20:31), as Jesus Himself claimed (John 19:7).  Jesus was not afraid or ashamed to say that He is fully united with the Father, and authorised by Him to be the life-giver to the world (John 5:24-27) having previously lived with Him in heaven (John 6:38).

Jesus claimed to know the Father intimately (John 10:30) and claimed to be the only person who could lead people to heaven (John 14:6).  He said that those who believed in Him would not be condemned, but those who refused to believe were condemned already (John 3:16-18).  In many ways, His words and miracles proved that He was God in a human body.  The cross and resurrection were to prove that He was the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world (John 1:29).
 
And yet His critics continued to ask Him, "Who are you?"  What more could He say?  He had already claimed His divine identity.  But because they were not willing to accept His authority, it made no sense to them.  Neither did they understand when He was speaking about Father God.  So, He pointed them forward to His crucifixion as the reason for His life.  He spoke with quiet assurance that He and the Father were working together (John 5:17).  It mattered to Jesus that the Father was pleased even if the religious leaders were not.  However, not everybody disbelieved.  Many of the people who heard Him that day put their trust in Him.
 
It is the same in our age.  Jesus is the centre of all that God does in this world.  Those who refuse to believe can neither understand the identity of Jesus nor the character of God.  But there are many who are willing to listen to the truth about Jesus and believe who He claimed to be.  Although Jesus continues to polarise opinions, human judgement can never change His identity, but what people believe about Him will determine their destiny.  In our responsibility to spread the gospel of Jesus, it is most important to focus on His identity - otherwise He just becomes yet another remarkable teacher.  But He is far more.  He is the Saviour of the world, the judge of all people, the Creator God and the friend of sinners.  The more we let people know who Jesus is, the more some of them will be drawn to Him and put their trust in Him.

Prayer 
Father God. I am so grateful that You have made Yourself known to me in the scriptures and particularly through Jesus Christ. Thank You that I have come to know and trust Him and be made a child of God. Although I know something of the unique importance of Jesus, I am sorry that I have not been so active in recommending Him to my family, friends and colleagues. Please help me to freshly grasp His wonderful divine nature and please open opportunities for me to speak about the divine identity of my Saviour. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams