Did Jesus Claim To Be Divine?

In discussing the deity of Christ, the question is often raised, "Where in the gospels does Jesus Himself claim to be God?" While there are many passages such as John 1:1-5, 14-18, that are often quoted in defense of Christ's divinity, lets look at what Jesus says about Himself in several instances recorded in the gospels.

The first we will explore is found in John 8:31-59. Jesus is instructing the Jews who had believed in Him. As He is discussing slavery to sin, and the fact that He can set them free, they claim that they are Abrahams' children, and have never been in bondage. This leads up to the statement Christ makes that is a plain reference to His deity.

"Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."

So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you

seen Abraham? Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly I say to you, 

before Abraham was born, I Am."

Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus

hid Himself and went out of the temple.

John 8:56-59 NASB

Why did the people react that way? What did Jesus say to them that made them want to stone Him? In another instance found in John 5:17-18, they Jewish leaders were seeking to kill Jesus because he had called God His own Father, thus making Himself out to be God. Their reaction was the same as the reaction of the people in the passage in John chapter 8. They understood the claim of Jesus, that He was declaring Himself to be God. In their eyes this was blasphemy, and worthy of death.

In the account of the burning bush found in Exodus chapter three, we read where God appeared to Moses, and commissioned him to go and lead the people of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. When Moses inquired whom he should say sent him, God replied, "I AM WHO I AM.  Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you (Exodus 3:14)." There was no mistake to those who heard Jesus make this claim. He was clear in His statement. By taking this title to Himself, He declared Himself to be the eternal, always existing, living God.

Next look at John 10:30-39. Jesus makes the claim, "I and the Father are one." Again we see the Jews pick up stones to stone Him, for making Himself, a mere man, to be God. Instead of telling them that they misunderstood Him, or something to that effect, Jesus goes on to further prove His point.

Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID YOU ARE GODS'? If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me, but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father (John 10:34-38)."

Again the people understood fully what Jesus meant, and sought to lay hands upon Him. He was claiming to be God, and the mighty works He did, the miracles and healings were proof enough of His divine nature, even if they did not believe His claim itself. 

This is an issue of vital importance to our faith. Do we believe that Jesus was a good man, a great example, a prophet, maybe even a savior, but less than God? If so do we believe in the same Jesus that the Bible portrays? I will look at this topic further in future posts.