Jesus' Divine Identity and Mission

This episode explores the profound identity of Jesus, examining His heritage, teachings, and the divine claims He made during His life. We delve into the uniqueness of Christianity and the eternal choices presented through Jesus’ life and death. 
• Introduction to the question of Jesus’ identity 
• Jesus' Jewish heritage and significance 
• Exploration of Jesus' divine nature and claims 
• Key teachings that set Him apart from religious figures 
• Analysis of the exclusivity of Christianity compared to other religions 
• Reflection on the reaction of religious leaders during His time 
• Examination of Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection 
• The implications of life choices concerning judgment and eternity 
• Conclusion inviting listeners to reflect on their beliefs

Chapters

• 0:10 Exploring Jesus' Divine Identity and Exclusivity
• 8:14 The Divine Purpose of Jesus' Sacrifice

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:10

Okay, so who is Jesus?

Speaker 1: 0:15

Well, according to scripture, jesus was by heritage Jewish and is often celebrated as the most beautiful human being to have ever lived, as illustrated in the New Testament and echoed by countless admirers throughout the ages. He was also closely associated with the poor and exhibited this impeccable grace and humility with them. His sermons and teachings surpassed the wisdom of the most prominent thinkers and religious leaders of his time and, to this day, he also, as you may well know, according to scripture, had this remarkable ability to heal those people who were sick, blind or crippled from birth, offering his help not only to the poor but also to the rich. However, he was best known for his compassion toward the needy, including widows and orphans, the homeless, the sick, the meek and, of course, the sinners. The Bible shows that Jesus was undoubtedly aware of his identity as God's son, as evidenced by his continual communion with God, his Father, and that's evidenced or demonstrated in his character, in his knowledge, in his prayer life. He was also aware of his divine nature, as he confidently asserted that he was, in fact, god on earth. Even as a child of 12 years of age, jesus was.

Speaker 1: 2:40

One day he was missing from his parents. One day he was missing from his parents, mary and Joseph, for three days. They had traveled for a full day from Jerusalem, not realizing that Jesus was missing, so it took them a second full day to return to Jerusalem. And it wasn't until the following day they found him in the temple, interacting with the teachers of the law, conversing with these older, intelligent men, listening to them and exchanging questions with them. And of course, everyone, including Mary and Joseph, was amazed when they found him. And when she finally found him, she said to him we have been searching for you, son. Why have you treated us so? And Jesus' reply was why were you looking for me? Do you not know that I must be in my father's house? That's in Luke 2, verse 49. Well, in response to Mary's concern for Jesus, jesus drew this sharp distinction between them and from God, his true father. His statement confirmed that he knew who he was and that he knew his mission, even at the tender age of 12.

Speaker 1: 4:22

Okay, so what else did Jesus say about himself? Well, for starters, he constantly identifies himself with God. As to emphasize their equality, he would say all may honor the son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father. That's in John 5, 23. So why did Jesus say that? Because it was his Father that sent him. He said whoever believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me, and whoever sees me sees him who sent me. That's in John chapter 12, 44 to 45. Jesus compounds it further and said I and the father are one. That's John 10, 30. So Jesus would intentionally identify himself with God, his Father, so as to reinforce this divine nature that binds him and his father together.

Speaker 1: 5:44

So what else did Jesus say about himself? Well, jesus said to his disciples I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. John 14, verse 6. Furthermore, listen to this. Jesus said If you know me, then you know the Father. Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. I and the Father are one. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.

Speaker 1: 6:26

Okay, so far, jesus has made some very astonishing claims about himself, and no one in the history of mankind has ever made such claims. But these claims are among the most troubling with regard to the other religions of the world. In the New Testament, we learned that there is no other religion like Christianity. Christianity is an exclusive religion. God, his father, who sent him, his son Jesus Christ, into the world, makes the rules. Jesus was sent by his father to convey that message.

Speaker 1: 7:24

Okay, so right now you may be thinking well, what about the other religions of the world? Don't all religions lead to God? Well, I can answer that question with a single word, but you might not like it, and then you won't like me either. But it is an important question. It deserves a careful and thoughtful answer. It deserves the correct answer, it deserves the truth. But instead of answering that question with a straightforward yes or no, let's answer that question with another question. Okay, all right, are you ready? Okay, so here goes.

Speaker 1: 8:14

Why do you suppose that the religious rulers of Jesus' day killed him? They murdered him, they nailed him to a cross. The most powerful and influential religious rulers of his day crucified him, despite the fact that Jesus Christ alone is the only person in human history to simultaneously demonstrate humanity and divinity in the flesh. They wanted him dead. In fact, they said this May his blood be on our heads and upon our children. Nonetheless, he proved his divinity to the world by countless miracles documented in the New Testament and foretold in the Old Testament, specifically regarding the resurrection of the dead, including himself.

Speaker 1: 9:35

Jesus obliged himself, as a divine human being, to die a human death. He made himself a scapegoat, as it were, as a substitute, as the theologians in theology say, a substitute for mankind because of their sins and because of how sin actually affects the world, and to ensure a way out or an escape, escape from what An impending judgment coming upon the earth taught very clearly in the New Testament. Looked ahead to the cross, he said now has judgment come into the world and the God of this world and he's referring to the devil will be cast down. That's in John, chapter 12, verse 31. So bear with me, consider this with your mind's eye, close your eyes for a moment and look. Look and see that young man, the Son of God, dying on that cross at the hands of men, dying on that cross at the hands of men. Consider it an impending judgment coming upon the earth and the escape or the way out of that judgment is his resurrection from the dead. Okay, so, jesus, he did take his life back after all, after three days lying dead there in a tomb, as he promised, because it is not possible for death to claim him. Him.

Speaker 1: 11:57

The Bible clearly demonstrates that Jesus embodies the essence of life. Jesus is a life giver, he is divine, he is eternal, he is uncreated. Death stops with him. He has somehow disabled death, but not only death. What about the grave? What about hell? You see, that's the whole point. Hell isn't it? Hell is a reality. Nobody talked more about hell than Jesus. It is an impending judgment. Jesus was sent by his Father to relay that message to the world. Jesus is the way out of that judgment. He is a savior after all, the savior of the world. There are only two destinations after we die, and there is no such thing as an in-between. You either go up or you go down, nowhere in between, either heaven or hell, and the choice is yours. Jesus said this to one of the religious rulers. His name was Nicodemus. He said, for God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Thank you.