“JESUS IS LORD AND GOD!”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20:28

Over the past 2,000 years, people have been debating over the deity of Christ. To some, He was a mere man with exemplary character. Others assert that Jesus never claimed to be God. But to those who believe, He is the Eternal God who created the heavens and the earth. He sustains all of creation by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).

The fact of the matter is that Jesus did claim to be God. To prove this teaching, He received worship, as the Apostle Thomas did in today’s verse. But does receiving worship give substance to His claim as God? Not necessarily.

Jesus received worship from His disciples. He also allowed others to worship Him, such as the healed leper (Matthew 8:2), the ruler in Matthew 9:18, the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:25, and the healed blind mind in John 9:38. Let’s not forget that even demons worshiped Him (Mark 5:6).

Of all who claimed to be God, only Jesus sufficiently substantiated His assertion. He proved His claims by performing acts of God. No human being was able to replicate Jesus’ miraculous signs and wonders. His life was absolutely sinless. No one can dispute that.

His authority is unmatched. Whatever the Father does, He does (John 5:19). He gives life (verse 21). Jesus is the ultimate Judge (verse 22). He even said that whoever honours Him honours the Father, and whoever rejects Him rejects the Father (verse 23). Why would he make Himself equal with the Father and not claim to be God at the same time?

His disciples understood this and proclaimed their faith in Him as God. John teaches it (John 1:1, 14); Paul encourages believers to wait for the coming of Our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13); Peter calls Him God and Savior (2 Peter 1:1).

Can you think of any human being who possesses such characteristics?

Perhaps one solid proof of Christ’s deity is what Scripture tells us that God commands angels to worship Him (Hebrews 1:6). Let’s remember what Paul says in Philippians 2:10,

“so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”

Our evaluation of whether Jesus is God or not is more important than what we might think. If He were no more than a man, His blood would have been stained and thus not an acceptable sacrifice for our sins. If He were only human, then He was a mere sinner. How could a sinner save a fellow sinner?

Jesus clearly said that He was the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). With that in mind, you should decide for yourself whether Jesus is only human or He, like what the Scriptures tell us, is fully God and fully man. The disciples, except for Judas, believed Jesus and everything He claimed about Him. Therefore, they it’s only logical that they got saved.

In the same way, your salvation will rest in the truth of Jesus’ deity and humanity. Do you believe that Jesus is God and is worthy of your worship? Allow yourself to be immersed in the truth and let the truth set you free.

Pursue the Saviour today!