7 Times Jesus Claimed to Be Godنموونە

Mark and John begin their accounts of Jesus’ life by explaining the significance of John the Baptist. Isaiah and Malachi prophesy of a time when God will visit His people again and come to His Temple, judging those who defraud and oppress. Before He comes, a messenger will prepare His way, crying out in the wilderness.

John the Baptist is presented to us as this messenger, preparing the way for the God of Israel. However, the person his ministry points to, the person who turns up to throw the tables over in the Temple and rebuke the corrupt religious leaders, is Jesus. If John is preparing the way for God, then who is Jesus?

Mark and John both make it clear in their introductions that Jesus is the Lord God, prophesied by Isaiah, Malachi, and John the Baptist. But did Jesus ever make this connection Himself?

Yes. Matthew and Luke both record it. When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent two of his followers to ask Jesus if He was the one they were waiting for. It seems as if John’s imprisonment was causing him to doubt whether his prophecies had been true.

Jesus responds by pointing out the ways He is fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah: the blind see, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and good news is proclaimed to the poor. Jesus then affirms that John is a true prophet, and not just any prophet, but the messenger who prepares the way for the Lord! The verse Jesus references is Malachi 3:1, in which the messenger is preparing the way for God Himself. Is Jesus the one John was waiting for? Yes. Who was John preparing the way for? God.

Recognising Jesus as God did not protect John from hardship. Although he was the greatest of the prophets, he suffered in prison and died at the hands of Herod. Jesus Himself, although He was God, did not avoid hardship, but suffered and died for the sins of the world. John’s question might have been motivated by misguided expectations; perhaps he thought that his ministry and faith should have merited him some divine protection from hardship. What do you expect to gain from believing in Jesus? Are you willing to suffer because of your faith in Him?