Christ's Divinity Acknowledged

Thought For Today - January 22 - -
CHRIST’S DIVINITY ACKNOWLEDGED 
By: Robert A. Searles

Dear reader, what do you think of Jesus Christ? Who is he? Why did he appear on earth? Is he just a man or is he more than man? What man is there who could perform such miracles, and raise himself from the dead if he were just an ordinary man? What is your opinion of this man from Nazareth, the carpenter?

Down through the ages men and devils have tried to deny that he is the divine son of God, God in human flesh. His divinity was challenged by Satan. “And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” Matthew 4:3. “And he saith unto him, if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Matthew 4: 6.


Satan not only tried to temp Christ to prove his deity , but Satan is ever active in the minds and hearts of individuals today to create doubts as to who Christ really is. Some say that he was just a good man. Others say that he was a wise prophet. Some say that he was a reformer, and others say that he came to be king.


Christ’s deity was challenged by the scribes and Pharisees. The learned scribes and Pharisees were well versed in the old testament scriptures, and knew the prophecies of the coming Messiah, yet, they saw him as only a man who was blaspheming God by declaring himself to be God. These were the religious leaders of the day. It is sad that some religious leaders of our time are so blinded that they cannot see that this same Jesus is the fulfillment of all the old testament prophecies concerning him. There are preachers in pulpits everywhere who stand at the sacred desk week after week and challenge the virgin birth and divinity of Jesus Christ.

 “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” By asking this question, they were denying that Jesus was God.

Christ’s deity was challenged by his own people. His own nation and people, the Jews, branded him as an imposter, and demanded that he be punished for proclaiming himself to be God.

 “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” John 5:18. “Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead; whom makest thyself?” John 8: 53. “The Jews answered saying, for a good work we stone thee not but for blasphemy, and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” John 10: 33.


Christ’s authority to teach was challenged by the elders in the temple. If this was just an ordinary man, from whence did he derive such authority to declare the word of God, having not learned letters, and having little formal education? 

 “And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the elders came upon him with the elders, and spake unto him, saying, tell us by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority?“ Luke 20: 1,2.


When he was on the cross, the crowds were mocking him and challenging his divinity, telling him to come down from the cross if he were God, and save himself. “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying , thou that destroyed the temple, and buildest it in three days, , save thyself if thou be the son of God, come down from the cross.” Matthew w27: 39-40.


He was derided by the rulers. “And the people stood beholding him, and the rulers also with them derided him, saying, he saved others; let him save himself, if he be the Christ, the chosen of God.” Luke 23:35.

Two thieves were crucified with him. One of the thieves challenged his claim to be the Christ. “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him saying, if thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” Luke 23:39. The other thief turned and looked upon him , and in repentance, acknowledged his divinity and was granted a place with him that very day in paradise. Jesus said to him: “Today thou shalt be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Down through the ages there have been many who have been forgiven and gained a place with Christ in paradise because they have acknowledged the truth of God’s word that Jesus is the Christ, the divine son of God, and all who call upon him for forgiveness of sins will be saved. Peter acknowledged his divinity. “And Simon Peter answered and said, thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” Matthew 16: 16.

The centurion who stood guard at the cross, when he beheld him, had to acknowledge that he was the son of God. “And when the centurion, which stood over against him saw that he cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, truly this man was the son of God.” Mark 15: 39.

Nathaniel acknowledged his divinity. “Nathaniel answered and saith unto him, rabbi, thou art the son of God: thou art the king of Israel.” John 1:49.

Even the demons were terrified when they had to acknowledge who Jesus was. “And cried with a loud voice, and said, what have I to do with thee Jesus, thou son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” Mark 5:7..

“Christ showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proof.”. thus confirming that God had raised him from the dead, and accepted his sacrifice for the sins of the world. Thomas, the doubter, acknowledged his divinity when he was allowed to place his hand in the print of the nails, and his wounded side and declared him to be God. “And Thomas answered and said unto him, my Lord and my God.” John 20:28
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Can we say with Thomas that he is divine, and he is my Lord and my God? Can we declare with Job that we know that our redeemer liveth? Do we have the confidence that Jesus is God, that he has the power to forgive our sins, and raise us from the grave? Whatever we believe and publicly acknowledge about Jesus will determine our eternal destiny, whether it be in paradise with him, or in hell forever.