Is Jesus really God?
This week’s devotions are based on the Week 5 “Explore God” – Is Jesus Really God? (WATCH HERE)
Who is Jesus?
This question has been around since Jesus walked the earth. People saw his miracles, heard his teaching, and saw his interactions with outcasts. They wondered, “Who is this?” The question has been asked by every generation since and theologians have spent much time wrestling with the question. Is he human? Is he God? Is he both?
Ironically most major world religions will acknowledge that Jesus was a prophet or great teacher. Most are hesitant to equate him with God.
In many people’s mind at Jesus’ day this was blasphemous. In people’s mind today, they aren’t sure at best and don’t care at least.
But the question of “Who is Jesus?” is not just of historical significance, it is of eternal significance. If Jesus is who he claims to be and the Bible says he is, one must then contend with his claims and his teachings and seriously consider their eternal impact. Perhaps the significance of this question leads individuals to just answer, “He was a great teacher.” But even at that, most have not seriously considered his teaching, let alone incorporated all of it into their lives.
So how will we answer this question?
Let’s start with what the Bible says about Jesus.
Perhaps a great statement of clarity was inspired to the Apostle John in the opening verses of his Gospel. As he wrote late in the first century, the challenge that faced many Christians was gnosticism. Many of this belief “adamantly denied that the supreme being came in the flesh, claiming Jesus to be merely a human who attained enlightenment through gnosis and taught his disciples to do the same” (wikipedia.com on gnosticism).
So John opens his Gospel with clear teaching on who Jesus is.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
So that there is no mistake, John continues in verse 14:
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Word is Jesus.
The Word is God.
The Word is Creator.
The Word is Light
The Word became flesh.
The Word is Jesus, therefore Jesus is all of these things.
The amazing reality of the “Word” being a name for Jesus is it puts a flavor on all of the Word of God, the Bible. Every passage and paragraph is a reflection of the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. It makes sense as not only was the word that God spoke at creation the work of preincarnate Jesus, but the words of Moses, the Prophets, and all are pointing to and centering on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
No human being of himself, no matter how many books they may have written or how powerful of an orator he or she is, has the impact and power that God has in his Word…That Jesus, THE Word, has in the lives of people.
There is no question left in John’s mind. Jesus is God. He writes so his first century reader and his 21st century readers will come to the same conviction and conclusion. Jesus is God!
Apply: What makes you certain Jesus is God? What makes you question this claim?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we praise you as God who manifests in the power of the Word of God and in the work of God you came in human flesh to accomplish. AMEN.
Only Christ brings hope!
This week’s devotions are based on the Week 4 “Explore God” – Is Christianity too narrow? (WATCH HERE)
First, a happy birthday to my dad who regularly reads these devotions. 82 years of God’s blessings!
Over the past week the brutal and evil attacks by Hamas in Israel which sparked Israel’s military response has the attention of us and our country. Not only does the conflict create a level of uneasiness as to what will happen next, but also creates a sense of fear as to the instability of the world in which we live. Could this happen in our streets? In our homes? To our families? To our friends?
Perhaps. Every day we live in the realities that Jesus told us about. The events that occur around us and at times to us disrupt our lives and unsettle our souls. However, Jesus in his love warned us these type of things would happen:
Matthew 24:4-14 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
In Jesus’ words I hear his love that a) stand firm and b) everyone needs the Gospel…everyone needs Jesus.
The events of this past week are not unique. The headlines every week indicate to us how much the world needs the forgiving power of God’s grace in Jesus and the transforming work of God’s Spirit in one’s heart.
Only Christianity provides both. There is no other world religion that preaches grace than biblical Christianity. There is no other message other than grace that can transform the heart to produce the fruit of the Spirit:
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
There is one more reality that no other world religion offers: a living Savior who promises eternal life to all who believe.
Atrocities, evil, and death are not fun to live through or accept the reality of. However, Christianity is the only faith that offers life in heaven secured by one who overcame death and promises us eternal life. The resurrection of Jesus is truly the crux of the Christian faith that validates every aspect of it and gives hope that no other belief system can offer. Jesus said,
John 16:22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy…. 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The heart of Christianity is realized at its best when evil is around us. Here’s what comfort we can have. First, our biggest problem in life has been taken care of for us by the perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Second, while evil can disrupt our lives, we have a peace that surpasses all understanding to keep our minds at rest and our hearts a peace. And third, we have a Savior who overcame death and is preparing a room in heaven for us so that even if evil would take our lives on this earth, our home in heaven will be ready.
This truth is what we need. The truth is what the world needs. This is the narrow truth of Christianity which brings the width of grace to all people.
Apply: How can the message of grace bring peace to your heart when times around you are evil and disconcerting.
Prayer: Lord God, thankyou for overcoming the world and assuring us that this world is not our home, heaven is. Your resurrection to life is a key assurance that we too will live. Thankyou for your love, grace and promises of hope. AMEN.
Narrow Truth. Wide Grace.
This week’s devotions are based on the Week 4 “Explore God” – Is Christianity too narrow? (WATCH HERE)
Truth is narrow. Grace is wide.
This morning’s devotion I share a portion of the transcript from the “Explore God” video for this week. The words are spoken by Propaganda, a hip hop artist and Alan Hirsch, a philosopher and author (Their words give food for thought. By quoting them, the author is not endorsing them). Their perspectives share the tension and blessing between truth that is narrow and grace that is wide.
We think that “narrow” means “intolerant,” right? And intolerance somehow is the, is the cardinal sin of our world, right?
If you’re playing a guitar, I mean, how many “G”s are there? How many notes? How many ways can you play a “G”? No, there’s, there’s one way to play a “G.” You’re either on-key or off-key. Is that intolerant? Is that narrow? Is that unfair? No, it’s beautiful, ’cause there’s a way to play this note. It’s beautiful.
The step back is like, “Well, what’s, what’s wrong with that?” Right? And narrow in what way, right? Narrow in the way of being clear, in being concise, in being decisive, in being attainable, right? Right? Yeah, in, in that sense, absolutely. But that, isn’t that a good narrow? Like, isn’t that— aren’t these good things? That, like— It’s not like I’m just…throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping that one of ’em sticks, you know what I’m saying? Like, that’s broad, right? But that’s— I mean, come on now, like, who’s trying to live like that, that you just toss up stuff and hope that something stays on there?
Like, nah, man, like, tell me the bull’s-eye, you know? Tell me the target. How do I fix this? How is man made right with God? Don’t be like, “Well, you know, you’ll figure it out.” Oh, no. No, I won’t! Who has? Nobody’s figured it out, right? No, I need you to tell me. What’s, what’s— how do we get this? So in my mind, I’m like “Man, why is narrow bad?” Narrow’s, in a lot of contexts, good, right? Doesn’t mean it lacks grace. Doesn’t mean it lacks love. As a matter of fact, it’s the opposite. (Propaganda)
I like the phrase that, “Truth is narrow.” Um, it narrows your options, but grace is as wide, so you’ve got to hold to the narrowness of truth and the width of grace, and it’s a tension you play between the two. That’s how, kind of, Jesus looked. He was full of grace and truth, and he holds that paradox in himself. He says that, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except by means of me.” Well, that’s pretty narrow of you, Jesus. You’re not being very embracing of other people’s opinions. Well, I say, well, he’s also extremely gracious, and he’s provided for us, in a profound way. I mean, he saves us through his own life and death and resurrection and his return. (Alan Hirsch)
John 18:37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Jesus revealing to us the narrow truth that his love, grace and forgiveness is for all is the most loving and gracious thing he could ever do.
Apply: When is narrow loving?
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for revealing to us the narrow truth that Jesus is the Way to you. We rejoice that the width of your grace is enough to encompass each one of us. AMEN.
(NOTE: For the full video, CLICK HERE: Session 4: Is Christianity Too Narrow? (exploregod.com)
I believe in God…?
This week’s devotions are based on the Week 4 “Explore God” – Is Christianity too narrow? (WATCH HERE)
“I believe in God…”
Great?
How do you react to this statement? Are you satisfied that belief in God is good? Sufficient? Saving?
Recently I had a conversation with an individual who had a friend die. The comment was made, “He believed in God and was a good person.”
When someone tells me they believe in God, do I take a sigh of relief and trust that they are headed to heaven?
Fortunately, many people believe in God. Unfortunately, not as many people believe in Jesus as their Savior. The demons believe in God…in fact in just ONE God. Yet they are not in heaven, but rather understand and are experiencing the justice of God.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
When we say, “I believe in God” and I mean I believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as the Bible defines him, then I take a deeper sigh. If it is just a general belief without any definition or awareness of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, the statement is less comforting. However, the Bible is very clear. Belief in God’s Son, Jesus is key to eternal life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
This is narrow in the sense that there is only one Way to heaven. It is broad because the promise is for the world. Jesus came because God loved every person of the world, past, present or future. Jesus came to live a perfect life that is able to applied to any person. Jesus came to die on the cross for the punishment every person’s sin deserved. Jesus rose from the dead to assure every person they too will live.
The key?
God’s Spirit works faith in one’s heart to believe that Jesus is THEIR Savior.
We are not saved because we believe in God and are good people.
We are saved because we believe in Jesus who was our perfect substitute.
Apply: How do you react to the statement when someone says, “I believe in God?”
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for revealing yourself to the world through Jesus and giving us eternal life through him. AMEN.
Is Christianity wise or foolish?
This week’s devotions are based on the Week 4 “Explore God” – Is Christianity too narrow? (WATCH HERE)
Why is it challenging to accept one way to heaven?
If you are a Christian, perhaps you find it hard to understand why someone would find it challenging to accept that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven.
But for many others this premise is challenging to swallow and even for some Christians it is hard to stand with confidence that Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Why is that?
The reflections today are not meant to be an exhaustive list, but at least put some on the table.
First, it’s popular to be pluralistic. To be pluralistic is to be one that allows for many pathways to God that are equally valid and equally saving. This line of thinking has been around for centuries, but in more recent history there has been an adversity to making someone to be or to feel wrong. If there is only one way, that means the other ways are invalid and false. Who wants to tell people they are wrong? Actually the wrong person in today’s culture is the one who tells someone else they are wrong! Truth has become relative and so has people’s belief in God.
Second, to speak with conviction that Jesus is the only way to heaven can seem arrogant and judgmental. “Who are you to claim you have all the right answers?” “Well, that’s pretty judgmental to say you are the only right way.” No one likes to be called arrogant or judgmental (even though labeling someone as judgmental seems judgmental in and of itself!). But most people don’t want to be labeled this way because culture today doesn’t celebrate right over wrong, it celebrates tolerant over intolerant.
Third, to acknowledge Jesus is the way to heaven would mean one would have to submit to the ways of Jesus. Satan’s original temptation to “be like God” is still a very appealing temptation today. If I can dismiss any one God or allow that I can be God, this is much more comfortable as then I can determine for myself what is right or wrong and live according to my standards and simply define God by what works for me rather than by what he says is right.
The reality about these three reasons is they all appeal to human reason. It seems “accepting” and “loving” to allow anyone to believe what they want to believe. It seems sophisticated and wise to present one’s self as open minded to multiple valid pathways to God. It seems natural to want to be free from standards and be the one who defines what is real for us. Yet, while on a human plane it may make sense, the reality is the message of the cross and the exclusive nature of it are going to sound like foolishness to those who build their thought on human wisdom and philosophy. This is not new as the Apostle Paul wrote to those in Corinth in the first century:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[c]
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
To find resistance to Jesus’ claim of being the only way to heaven is a normal thing. Stand with conviction and don’t give in. The pathway to hell is paved with human philosophy. The pathway to heaven is paved by the wisdom of God and work of Christ.
Apply: What makes it challenging for you to stand with conviction that Jesus is the only way to heaven?
Prayer: Lord, continue to work in my a stronger conviction that Jesus is the way and a bolder courage to speak this truth in love to those who think otherwise. AMEN.