God in Three Persons: Embracing the TrinitySample

Devotional - The Son is God

The issue that fractures all monotheistic religions focus on the assertion that Jesus is God. Even amongst believers, many debated the idea of when did Jesus become God? The question that Jesus asks the Apostles in Caesarea Philippi, “Who do you say I am?” is one that still confronts men and women today. Scripture must be the foundation for seeking the answer to this question. The Scripture, Jesus’ words, and the testimony of the Apostles reveals the foundations of Orthodox Christianity’s theological belief in Christ’s divinity. As Simon Peter accurately responds to Jesus’ question, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  For Peter, this was revealed to him by our Father in heaven. For believers today know this through the inspired and Holy Scriptures. 

Jesus, God the Son, is the Word of God incarnate. He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Savior, and redeemer. He is eternally begotten, not made, and of the same substance as the Father. In other words, Jesus is God just as the Father is God, not lesser or greater. For an imperfect analogy, think of light from a flame. Both light and flame emanate immediately upon ignition; there is not one and then the other, just as there was never a Father without a Son. He was born of the Virgin Mary, and at that moment, He emptied Himself of His heavenly glory to become both fully man and fully God. As God incarnate, He lived a sinless life and was put to death for the sins of the world. After His burial on the third day, He rose from the grave and now He sits at the right hand of the Father. His sacrifice justifies the believer and makes reconciliation to the Father possible. A sinless man may die for another, but a God-man dies for the sins of all people. 

 It is the Son’s divinity that brought about eternal value for all mankind. Mankind hopes in Christ’s promised return. At that time, He will make all things new again and end suffering, sorrow, and death forever. The Biblical evidence that supports Jesus’ deity includes His statements, such as John 8:58, “very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” The Bible ascribes to Jesus the Divine titles exclusively used of YHWH (Yahweh) in the Old Testament including, Savior, Redeemer, Holy One, Emmanuel, the Lord, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Alpha, and Omega. Scripture assigns the same divine attributes to Jesus as to the Father. He is pre-existent, omnipresent, omnipotent, immutable, the truth, the light, and the life. He performs miracles that only God can do. He forgives sins, and He accepts worship. In every interaction with creation, Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of God. He is obedient to the Father out of love and mutual submission, but he is no less God than the Father. It is through Jesus, by the power of the Spirit, that creation is reconciled to the Father. The Son is God; the Son is Jesus the Christ, and the Son is worthy of praise, worship, and obedience.

Questions for Reflection

1. Why is it important that we accept Jesus as both fully God and fully man?

2. How do you see the Son active and involved in your salvation story?

3. Why is it important that we share the good news of Jesus with the world?