Luke 23:1-3 ESV
1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”
Luke 5:20-26 ESV
20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”-he said to the man who was paralyzed-”I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
Question to Consider
Does Jesus ever claim to be God?
Food For Thought
You’ve probably heard it said: “Jesus never claimed to be God, so why do we try and make him such?” However, many times this claim is made based on faulty motives and a poor understanding of the biblical text. I believe Jesus made a very strong claim to be God.
When approaching this question, most people turn to the trial scene were Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus’ answer, “You have said so,” we must admit is a bit cryptic at first. After all, this would have been the perfect opportunity for Jesus to make it clear who he was! Jesus’ answer does seem a bit cloudy, but only because Jesus’ true kingship looked different than the kingship Pilate (or the Jews) had in mind. It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Yes I am, but not in the way you think.”
What a sight it must have been for the lame man to be lowered through the roof (Luke 5)! What an even more incredible sight at what happens next. When the man gets to Jesus, Jesus says “your sins are forgiven.” (This man doesn’t think he needs his sins forgiven, he thinks he just needs his legs healed!) Read again what the scribes think in v. 21. You see, they’re correct! No one can forgive sins but God alone! Jesus claims to be God by doing God’s work, and confirming this work by the physical healing. Afterwards, all were amazed and glorified God (v. 26).
Moment of Reflection
How would you respond if someone said Jesus never claimed to be God?
Closing Prayer
Father, give me the wisdom to know how to lovingly answer tough questions concerning your Son. Let my love for him be contagious on those I meet. Amen.
Jesus, we want what you want.
By: Curtis W. Lindsey
