Many religions will acknowledge that Jesus was a prophet, a good man, a gifted teacher, even a spiritual man, but that’s as far as they go. God’s Word predicates a whole different scenario. Throughout His ministry Jesus never hedged His claim to be God. He even said, “If you don’t believe My words then look at My deeds and believe.” In John’s gospel, one of His clearest statements about the deity of Christ is, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and The Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:1-3) John’s gospel records 7 statements of Jesus – all beginning with “I am” which reveal His divinity: I am the bread of life,” (John 6:48); I am the light of the world (John 8:12); I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7); I am the good shepherd (John 10:11); I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25); I am the way (John 14:6); and I am the true vine (John 15:1).
Many skeptics have made it their mission to prove Jesus Christ never rose from the dead. When the data is gathered from all the various professional sources the evidence is overwhelming. Jesus died from brutal physical torture and asphyxiation. The spear thrust into His side proved that He was dead when it broke the sack around His heart and water and blood spilled out. The proof goes further when after the resurrection Jesus appeared to all of His disciples and over 500 other believers (1 Cor. 15:1-8). If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is also. If the resurrection is a hoax then all of Christianity is like a house of cards that will collapse. We believe it is true and there is no greater decision in the world! The tomb could not keep Him, and death could not defeat Him! God’s holiness demanded justice, and God the Father had the perfect solution. It was a holy blood sacrifice in which His Son was the Lamb. You talk about a God who loves! Wow! This thought hit me recently as I was reflecting on these truths in Isaiah 53:10 – But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering. God’s love sent Jesus, His justice killed Jesus, and His mercy exchanged Jesus for me! I’m in awe! How about you?
I remember an inmate who came to Polk County Jail, recommitted his life to Christ, and became a strong influence for Christ in his housing unit. One day he noticed a fellow inmate who was downcast. He approached him and said, “Are you okay? It seems that you are troubled about something.” The man said he was going to court and looking at 25 years. The Christian said, “Can I pray for you?” The man said, “I don’t care what you do, I’m an atheist. Go ahead if it makes you feel better.” The Christian prayed for him, and he left for court. When the man returned later in the day, he came into the unit, ran to find his new friend who had prayed and said, “You won’t believe it! I was looking at 25 years, but the judge dismissed my charges and I’m going home! I don’t know what you have but I want it,” and the Christian led him to Christ! The Gospel is truly transformational and revolutionary! Amen!!
