GOD THE SON PRESENTED

Four Gospel writers present four portraits of Jesus.

Mark declares Jesus is more than man—that He is the Son of God—and shows Jesus engaged in actions that only God could do.  “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”  (Mark‬ ‭1:1‬)

Matthew seeks to show to the Jews that Jesus is the promised Messiah.  “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, ‘God with us.’” (Matt.‭1:21-23‬). As such He appeals—as here—to the Old Testament.

Luke did meticulous research interviewing eyewitnesses in compiling his account. “Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.” (Luke‬ ‭1:1-4‬). What Jesus said and what He did are preserved for us with historical accuracy.  How can anyone read them and dispute that the early church believed in the Deity of Christ?

John wrote last and his Gospel was theological and evangelical.  “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John‬ ‭20:30-31).

He presents seven signs—specific miracles—as evidence that Jesus is the Son of God.  He records Jesus making seven “I AM” statements:

"I am the bread of life" (John 6:35,48,51).
"I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).
"I am the door of the sheep"(John 10:7,9).
"I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11,14).
"I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25).
"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
"I am the true vine" (John 15:1,5).

We know that “I AM” is the name Yahweh—the Old Covenant name of God.  Jesus was claiming to be God. “‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’ Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” (John‬ ‭8:56-59‬).  His enemies understood more than many so-called modern scholars who deny Jesus claimed Deity. They didn’t believe Him and so were ready to kill Him for blasphemy, but they clearly understood His claim.

Consider the Old Testament promise and the New Testament fulfillment:

“Hear O Israel: Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one. (Deut. 6:4). ”For us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ , through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” (1 Cor. 8:6).

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32). “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved … For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Rom. 10:9, 13).

“For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’” (Isa. 45:22–23). “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord , to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9–11). Many more might be offered, but just these few are remarkable.

The Book of Acts is Volume Two of Luke’s work. “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:1-3).  Volume One was all that Jesus began to do while He was in His physical body on earth; Volume two is what Jesus continued to do through His spiritual body, the church.

There is a Savior and His name is Jesus!