The Uniqueness of Christنموونە

1/Unique in his Person: His Deity (2)

It is a matter for some wonder that the followers of Jesus so readily recognised his deity. After three years together, you would think they would have got to know one another pretty well. After the first shine had worn off, they would have begun to discover small faults and failings that always emerge after time. 

But while they were quick to find grounds for complaint with each other (e.g. Matt 20:24), they found no fault with Jesus. Which is interesting given that the Bible does not seem to have any scruples about recording people’s failings. The weaknesses and sins of Cain, Abraham, Moses, Saul, David, Peter, Paul, Mark, Barnabas and many others are all recorded for posterity. But not one sin or trespass is attributed to Jesus.

Moreover, the disciples actually claimed openly that he was divine. 

When Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples, Thomas recognised him as Lord and God (John 20:28).

Paul states plainly that although Jesus descended from David ‘in the flesh’, by his resurrection he was shown to be the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 1:3-4). He goes on to say that he was God over all (Rom 9:5), that salvation is secured by faith in Jesus and the confession that Jesus is Lord (Rom 10:9), and that at the end of age, he will return as the Lord from heaven (1 Thess 4:16). 

Perhaps his greatest tribute is found in his letter to the Philippians, where the apostle writes that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:11). 

Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Son of the Living God (Matt 16:16) and declared that there is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved (Act 4:12). John describes Jesus as the divine Word—the Expression of God—by whom all things were created (John 1:1-40 and  calls him the ‘true God’ (1 John 5:20). 

In the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament, commonly referred to by the letters LXX) the word kurios (‘Lord’) appears over 6000 times for God. In the Greek New Testament, it is used over 700 times for Jesus. This is either bold blasphemy or a clear declaration that Jesus is God. 

Was Jesus liar, lunatic or Lord? To the apostles the answer was obvious.

What Next?

Wow! What a Saviour we have! Spend some time worshiping him now. Use one or two songs like Jack Hayford’s ‘Majesty’ or Keith Getty’s ‘In Christ Alone’.