The Truth About Jesus (part 1)
John 1:1-5
Matthew 16:13-17 “ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah;
and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I
am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed
are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”
This is the really important question. “Who do you say that Jesus is?” What do you believe about
Jesus? Is He a prophet? Is He a teacher? A healer? A miracle worker? A good man? Or is He
something more? Let’s look at the scriptures.
“ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with
God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been
made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the
darkness has not understood it.”
The Word
In the beginning was the Word – Now, whatever, or whoever, this Word is, we know that it existed in
the beginning. When time began, the Word was already there. So the Word existed before time
began.
This Word was there with God. When God created all things, the Word was with Him.
Trinity
In fact, the next phrase tells “the Word was God”. So, the Word is equal with God. The Word is part
of God. Now we will talk more about this at another time, but the Bible teaches that God is a triune
being – meaning that there is one God, but he reveals himself in three persons – the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit. We do not believe in three Gods.
God is made up of three persons – completely united as one God, but each with a distinct personality
and function.
- God the Father – who masterminds everything.
- God the Son – who is Jesus.
- God the Holy Spirit – who carries out God’s will.
Just as I am a father, son, and husband.
Just as water can be liquid, solid, or vapor.
The Word is Jesus
Now, what or who is the Word. Verse 14 tells us.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the
glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Word is Jesus. Why does John call him the Word? Well, words are the manifestations of our
thoughts. Our words reveal us. Jesus is the physical manifestation of God.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the
flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world,
received up into glory.
Now, that word “manifest” is very strong. It does not mean that God “put on” flesh, like when you put
on a glove. John 1.14 says that he “became” flesh. God did not just put on a body and walk around
the earth for a while. He became a human being.
Let me try to illustrate it this way. If president of the US dressed up like a homeless man and walked
the streets of Fishtown for a couple of days, do you think he would understand homelessness?
Probably not. But if he actually lost everything and became homeless, then he could identify with the
homeless. That is what God did.
Hebrews 2:17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers [us] in every way, in order that he
might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement
for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are
being tempted.
John further testifies.
“ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which
we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The
life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with
the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard … (1 John 1:1-
3 NIV)
So, who is Jesus? He is God living in a human body. He is described as the Son of God, because he
was born into this world as a human being.
Now here is the grace and love of God. He actually became one of us – actually became a part of his
creation – in order to save us from sin. We will also discuss that in more detail at a later time.
Jesus created –
Notice verse 3 – “All things were made by him, and without him nothing was made.” Jesus is actually
the creator. This, again, shows that He is God.
Heb 1.2 tells us that God made the universe through Jesus.
Again, Colossians tells us:
Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Life
Verse 4 of John’s gospel tells us that “In Him was life and the life was the light of men.” Understand
this – life comes from Jesus. Jesus said:
“...I am the resurrection, and the life...” John 11:25
“...I am the way, the truth, and the life...” John 14:6
Colossians 3:4 tells us “...Christ, who is our life...”
1 John 5:11 says “...God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
Muslim teaching
I know the Muslims teach that you cannot be forgiven for equating anything or anyone else with God.
The Jews killed Jesus for that very reason – He claimed to be the son of God and did things that only
God was supposed to do.
What both groups fail to acknowledge is that God became part of his creation in order to save it.
I am told that a bird once flew in through one of the windows here in this church. Once it got in, the
bird could find it’s way back out. The members tried to help it – calling out to it, opening doors and
windows, putting food near exits – but the bird did not understand that they were trying to help it.
Really, the only way they could have helped the bird out would be if one of them could become a bird
and lead him out.
That is what God did for mankind.
Conclusion
Who is Jesus? He is the Son of God. He is God with skin on his face. The Bible says that he is “...
without beginning and without end...” meaning that he is eternal. He always has existed and always
will. He existed in heaven before he was born on the earth. And when he died, he returned to his
throne in heaven, where he rules the universe.
Now, I must tell you that none of us existed before we were born. Our existence started with our
conception. But Jesus existed always.
Isaiah prophesied:
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Matthew 16:13-17 “ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah;
and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I
am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed
are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”
This is the really important question. “Who do you say that Jesus is?” What do you believe about
Jesus? Is He a prophet? Is He a teacher? A healer? A miracle worker? A good man? Or is He
something more? Let’s look at the scriptures.
“ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with
God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been
made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the
darkness has not understood it.”
The Word
In the beginning was the Word – Now, whatever, or whoever, this Word is, we know that it existed in
the beginning. When time began, the Word was already there. So the Word existed before time
began.
This Word was there with God. When God created all things, the Word was with Him.
Trinity
In fact, the next phrase tells “the Word was God”. So, the Word is equal with God. The Word is part
of God. Now we will talk more about this at another time, but the Bible teaches that God is a triune
being – meaning that there is one God, but he reveals himself in three persons – the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit. We do not believe in three Gods.
God is made up of three persons – completely united as one God, but each with a distinct personality
and function.
- God the Father – who masterminds everything.
- God the Son – who is Jesus.
- God the Holy Spirit – who carries out God’s will.
Just as I am a father, son, and husband.
Just as water can be liquid, solid, or vapor.
The Word is Jesus
Now, what or who is the Word. Verse 14 tells us.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the
glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Word is Jesus. Why does John call him the Word? Well, words are the manifestations of our
thoughts. Our words reveal us. Jesus is the physical manifestation of God.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the
flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world,
received up into glory.
Now, that word “manifest” is very strong. It does not mean that God “put on” flesh, like when you put
on a glove. John 1.14 says that he “became” flesh. God did not just put on a body and walk around
the earth for a while. He became a human being.
Let me try to illustrate it this way. If president of the US dressed up like a homeless man and walked
the streets of Fishtown for a couple of days, do you think he would understand homelessness?
Probably not. But if he actually lost everything and became homeless, then he could identify with the
homeless. That is what God did.
Hebrews 2:17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers [us] in every way, in order that he
might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement
for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are
being tempted.
John further testifies.
“ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which
we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The
life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with
the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard … (1 John 1:1-
3 NIV)
So, who is Jesus? He is God living in a human body. He is described as the Son of God, because he
was born into this world as a human being.
Now here is the grace and love of God. He actually became one of us – actually became a part of his
creation – in order to save us from sin. We will also discuss that in more detail at a later time.
Jesus created –
Notice verse 3 – “All things were made by him, and without him nothing was made.” Jesus is actually
the creator. This, again, shows that He is God.
Heb 1.2 tells us that God made the universe through Jesus.
Again, Colossians tells us:
Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Life
Verse 4 of John’s gospel tells us that “In Him was life and the life was the light of men.” Understand
this – life comes from Jesus. Jesus said:
“...I am the resurrection, and the life...” John 11:25
“...I am the way, the truth, and the life...” John 14:6
Colossians 3:4 tells us “...Christ, who is our life...”
1 John 5:11 says “...God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
Muslim teaching
I know the Muslims teach that you cannot be forgiven for equating anything or anyone else with God.
The Jews killed Jesus for that very reason – He claimed to be the son of God and did things that only
God was supposed to do.
What both groups fail to acknowledge is that God became part of his creation in order to save it.
I am told that a bird once flew in through one of the windows here in this church. Once it got in, the
bird could find it’s way back out. The members tried to help it – calling out to it, opening doors and
windows, putting food near exits – but the bird did not understand that they were trying to help it.
Really, the only way they could have helped the bird out would be if one of them could become a bird
and lead him out.
That is what God did for mankind.
Conclusion
Who is Jesus? He is the Son of God. He is God with skin on his face. The Bible says that he is “...
without beginning and without end...” meaning that he is eternal. He always has existed and always
will. He existed in heaven before he was born on the earth. And when he died, he returned to his
throne in heaven, where he rules the universe.
Now, I must tell you that none of us existed before we were born. Our existence started with our
conception. But Jesus existed always.
Isaiah prophesied:
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.