Jesus Christ is one of the most pivotal and discussed figures in history. To understand who He truly is, we must delve into the Scriptures, where Jesus reveals His divine nature and purpose. Key verses such as John 8:58 and Psalm 110:1 provide profound insights into His identity.
Jesus as the Eternal “I Am”
In John 8:58, Jesus declares:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
This statement is profound because it connects directly to Exodus 3:14, where God reveals Himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM.” By using the phrase “I am” (Greek: ego eimi), Jesus asserts His pre-existence and equality with God. This declaration was so striking that it led to accusations of blasphemy from the religious leaders, as they recognized its implication: Jesus was claiming divinity.
Jesus as the Messiah in Psalm 110:1
Psalm 110:1 states:
“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’”
This verse is a prophetic dialogue between God the Father (“The LORD”) and the Messiah (“my Lord”). Jesus references this psalm in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 22:44) to demonstrate that the Messiah is not just a descendant of David but is exalted and divine. By sitting at the right hand of God, Jesus is shown to possess authority, power, and an eternal role in God’s plan.
Jesus as the Creator
The New Testament further identifies Jesus as the Creator of all things. Colossians 1:16 proclaims:
“For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.”
This verse underscores Jesus’ role in creation, affirming His pre-existence and divinity. He is not merely a human teacher or prophet but the divine agent through whom the universe was made.
Jesus’ Dual Nature: Fully God and Fully Man
Understanding Jesus requires acknowledging His dual nature. He is both fully God and fully man. Philippians 2:6-7 explains:
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
This passage reveals Jesus’ humility and willingness to enter the human condition to fulfill God’s redemptive plan.
What Does This Mean for Us?
1. Jesus as Savior
Jesus’ divinity assures us that His sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to atone for humanity’s sins. Only a perfect and divine Savior could bridge the gap between God and humanity.
2. Jesus as Lord
Acknowledging Jesus as Lord means submitting to His authority and aligning our lives with His teachings. As Philippians 2:10-11 declares:
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
3. Jesus as the Source of Life
John 14:6 affirms:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus provides the way to eternal life and a restored relationship with God.
Conclusion
Jesus’ identity as the eternal “I Am,” the prophesied Messiah, and the Creator underscores His divinity and central role in God’s plan for salvation. He is not merely a historical figure but the living Savior and Lord. Recognizing who Jesus is transforms our understanding of God and calls us to a life of faith, worship, and obedience.
Let us reflect on the words of John 8:58 and Psalm 110:1, embracing the truth of who Jesus is: our Creator, Redeemer, and King.
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