Who is Jesus

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The Only Begotten Son

Jesus is the Only Begotten Son. Only is singular, meaning there are no others like Him.

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:18  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

I John 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

John 5:18  Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Philippians 2:5-11  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

But we have this promise from God.

I John 3:1-3  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Prophecy of a Savior

In Matthew, the angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream saying,

Matthew 1:20-23  …, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

The name Jesus is revered, respected, or despised by billions of people the world over. To many He is God incarnate, divine and commanding worship. To others He was simply a great man, worthy of our admiration and to be a good example. Others are indifferent. Still others hold Him in contempt, or say that there was no such person. I personally know that there was such a person, and that He still is my Savior.

The Word and The Creator

Arguably the most beautiful narrative about Jesus is in the Gospel of John.

John 1:1-14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The first two sentences tell us that Jesus is the Word of God; that He is God; and that He was with God in the beginning. The third sentence informs us that He is the Creator. The last verse says that He became flesh and lived among us.

Jesus is the One who performed the creation! The first verse of the Bible says,

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The word "God" in the creation account is the translation of the Hebrew word "elohiym." Elohiym is the plural form of elowahh, which means god. Genesis 1:26-27 shows the plurality of God.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him male and female created he them.

Both the Father and the Word (Jesus) are God. They are both singular and dual. They are singular because They are of the same mind and purpose with one Spirit in common. In John, Jesus said,

John 10:30  I and my Father are one.

Speaking of His death and His resurrection in John 14:1-4, Jesus told His disciples that He would return to His Father. In verses 5-11 it says,

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

The God of the Old Testament

Jesus said that He and the Father are one. The works that He performed were actually accomplished by the power of the Father. If Jesus is the Word and the One who performed the creation by the power of the Father, He must be the God of the Old Testament. John 8:48-58 gives us another clue to His identity. Jesus was speaking in the temple at Jerusalem to those Jews who would not believe in Him.

Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him, but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Jesus told these Jews that He was “I am.” This offended them to the point of wanting to stone Him, but He escaped. The reason His declaration outraged them is found in the book of Exodus. God appeared to Moses “in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush” and commanded him that he was to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. This passage explains the Jews' outrage.

Exodus 3:13-15  And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel. I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Jesus told these Jews that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. He was the God who brought the plagues against Egypt. He led His people out of Egypt with a pillar of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He was the One who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross over on dry ground, while the army of Pharaoh drowns behind them. Through miracles He showed them His power in the desert for forty years, yet few of them had faith. In Matthew, Jesus gave the Jewish people one last clue to His identity as He was dying on the cross.

Matthew 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama, sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

 

The Psalm Narrative

Even as Jesus was dying on the cross, He was quoting a scripture from the Old Testament. This scripture should have convinced many of them that He was the Son of God. Compare this prophecy to all four accounts of the crucifixion.

Psalm 22:1-18  My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying. He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

 

Shroud of Turin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shroud_of_Turin 

 

The Hebrew Narrative

The book of Hebrews is a great instruction in faith. It presents another glorious narrative of the person of Jesus.

Hebrews 1:1-14  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou has loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

God called His Son, "God" and "Lord". If we believe the Bible is a message given to us from God, then there is no doubt: Jesus is God, He became a man, and He died to save us. Hebrews 2:9-18 explains why He became flesh.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

The Good News

“Succor” means to assist and support. Because Jesus lived as one of us, He is able to understand and to help us. Jesus came not only to perform this sacrifice, but to bring an announcement of good news (gospel) to all the people of the world. The angel of the Lord declared the good news to shepherds saying,

Luke 2:10-12  …, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Relating these good tidings of great joy, the apostle Paul proclaimed,

I Corinthians 15:1-3  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

The good news that Jesus brought is the offer of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Mark 1:14-15 states,

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Speaking to a group of people, some of whom He had healed and from some of whom He had cast out devils, Jesus said,

Luke 4:43  …, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

The coming of Jesus is good news to them that believe. Revelation 19:11-16 is bad news for unbelievers.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Hebrews 4:12-16 restores our hope.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Only One Name

It isn't possible to write everything there is to know about Jesus, not even the Bible can do that (John 21:25). The book of Acts reveals the one thing we must know.

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

YHVH

Matthew 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

YHVH is the name of God, as revealed in the Bible.

Yod, Hey, Vav, Hey

The best anyone can tell that is the way the Hebrew letters sound individually. To turn it into a word, it needs some vowels. No one knows what those vowels should be. Some have even made a religion out of how it should be said properly.

The Israelites would never attempt to enunciate it. They thought, superstitiously, that it might put them in danger of breaking the third commandment. Exodus 20:7 says,"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD [YHVH] thy God [Elohim, plural] in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Traditionally, Jews have replaced the name, YHVH, with Adonai (my Lord) or Hashem (the name).

What does it mean to “take the name of the LORD [YHVH] thy God [Elohim, plural] in vain”?

Vain: 07723. awv shav', shawv or shav {shav}; from the same as 7722 in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain):--false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.

Matthew 7:22-23  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Exodus 20:1-3  And God [Elohim, plural] spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD [YHVH] thy God [Elohim, plural], which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

God (Elohim) says, “I am the LORD, [YHVH] thy God [Elohim]." Elohim and YHVH are the same. They are the same Elohim speaking in Genesis 1:26 who said, “let us make man in our image.” There is more than one person speaking, but speaking as if they are one person.

So what does YHVH mean? God defined it for us.

Exodus 3:14  And God [Elohim, plural] said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

I AM - (01961. hyh hayah, haw-ya: to exist, i.e. be)

YHVH – (03068. (the) self-Existent or Eternal)

John 8:58-59  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. Then took they up stones to cast at him:...

YHVH means I AM THAT I AM. It means always was and always will be, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.

YHVH isn't one or the other. It is both, and they are one. The reason the Father and the Son are one is because they are the same Holy Spirit.

John 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

When we say God is one we are talking about the Father and the Son, but we can refer to either one specifically. We will never understand the full nature of God until we see Him face to face.

I Corinthians 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Isaiah 43:10-11  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD [YHVH], and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD [YHVH]; and beside me there is no saviour.

Two in One

Matthew 19:5  ...For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Matthew 19:6  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

The Issue

The issue isn't that Jesus and His Father are the same person. They are not. The issue is what type of being Jesus and His Father are. Jesus was never any kind of angel. That was Satan's sin. Satan was an angel who wanted to "be like the most High." Jesus is like the most High, and it isn't sin because He is "the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person." (Heb.1:3). They are the same type of being, so much so, that the Word (Jesus) had the power to create the universe, and all that is in it.

Jesus is..."worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house." Hebrews 3:3

Hebrews 3:4  For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Who is it that built all things?

John 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Isaiah 44:6  Thus saith the LORD [YHVH] the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD [YHVH] of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Revelation 1:11  I AM Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:...

Revelation 1:17-18  ...Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;...

Revelation  22:12-13 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Who is Jesus

Some people take this to mean the opposite of what it actually means. Jesus said He is God. Jesus is the Lamb without blemish; otherwise, His sacrifice would be worthless. Jesus is good, therefore, He is God.

Matthew 19:16-17  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God:

Jesus is asking a rhetorical question. The point of a rhetorical question is that we are supposed to read into it. Same with parables, “whoso readeth, let him understand.” That He is God is the point of the question. We call Him good; He is good. Only God is good. Therefore, Jesus is God. It is elementary algebra. Good = God.

Jesus left us with a rhetorical question.

Mark 15:34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Besides being a reference to Psalm 22, Jesus is asking a question, not in despair. He is asking what is the purpose of all that happened to Him? The question is really directed to us. The answer is Isaiah 53.