Who Is Jesus?
Jesus Christ is God, fully God and fully man, the eternal Word who became flesh. He is Savior, Lord, and risen King.
Key Scripture
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-14 (KJV)
Context
The Gospel of John opens with one of the most profound statements in all of Scripture. The apostle John, writing decades after Jesus walked the earth and rose from the dead, wanted his readers to understand something foundational: Jesus is not a created being, not an angel, not a prophet sent from God. Jesus is God.
In the Jewish culture of that day, there was one God. The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) declared, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.' For John to write that the Word was with God AND the Word was God required readers to expand their understanding of who God is. This was shocking. This was revolutionary. And this was the truth.
John used the term 'Word' (Greek: Logos) intentionally. The Word represents God's self-expression, God's communication, God's divine nature. By calling Jesus the Word and declaring He is God, John established a truth that anchors all Christian faith: The God who made all things took on flesh, walked among us, died for us, and rose again as our Lord and Savior.
What Does the Bible Say?
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Colossians 1:15-17 (KJV)
Jesus is described as the image of the invisible God. This means He perfectly reveals God's nature, character, and power. Everything that exists was created by Him and for Him. He holds all things together by the power of His word. This is the eternal, divine Jesus.
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews 1:3 (KJV)
Jesus is the brightness of God's glory and the exact image of God's nature. He sustains all creation. He accomplished our redemption through His sacrifice and now sits at the right hand of God, ruling in power and majesty.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV)
This passage teaches us that Jesus, existing in the form of God and being equal with God, voluntarily set aside His glory and became human. He took the form of a servant. He humbled Himself completely. He died on the cross for our sins. This is the heart of the Gospel: God Himself became man to redeem us.
Understanding the Passage
Jesus is fully God. He was in the beginning with God and He is God. He existed before time began. He is eternal, unchanging, all-powerful, and all-knowing. He is worthy of worship because He is God.
Jesus is fully man. He took on human flesh. He became a baby, grew up, felt hunger and thirst, experienced temptation, suffered pain, and died. He was truly human in every way except He never sinned. The 'Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.' God became one of us.
This union of fully God and fully man in one Person is what we call the incarnation. It is unique to Jesus Christ. No other person in human history can claim to be both completely divine and completely human. Jesus alone is the God-man.
Jesus came as Savior. He came to save us from sin and death. Through His death on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sins. Through His resurrection, He defeated death and opened the way to eternal life for all who believe in Him.
Jesus is our Lord. We acknowledge His authority, submit to His will, and follow His commands. As Lord, Jesus has authority over all creation, all kingdoms, all demons, all spiritual forces. There is nothing outside His authority. He is Lord of all.
Jesus is our risen King. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, ruling over all things. He will return to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will have no end. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
What This Means Today
If Jesus is God, then His words carry divine authority. When Jesus teaches us, we are listening to God Himself. His commands are God's commands. His promises are God's promises. Every word He spoke was truth. This is why we must read the Gospels not as interesting stories but as the direct teaching of God to us.
If Jesus is fully human, then He understands our struggles, our temptations, our pain, and our weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15 tells us He was 'in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' We serve a Savior who knows what it is like to be human. We can bring all our struggles to Him.
If Jesus is our Savior, then we can have confidence in His power to deliver us. No sin is too great for His forgiveness. No bondage is too strong for His power to break. No darkness is beyond His light. We have absolute authority in His name to command spiritual forces to release what they hold.
If Jesus is our Lord, then our lives are not our own. We surrender our will to His will. We obey His Word. We follow His example. We seek His kingdom above all other things. When we make Jesus Lord of our lives, He becomes our master, our guide, and our protector.
If Jesus is our risen King, then He is not dead and buried. He is alive. He is present with us. He works in our lives today. He intercedes for us before the Father. He is building His kingdom now, and we are invited to participate in His work.
Reflection Questions
- 1
What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is fully God and fully man? How does this truth change the way you think about Him and relate to Him?
- 2
John 1:12 says that all who believe in Jesus and receive Him have the power to become children of God. What does it mean to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
- 3
If Jesus is your Savior, what would it look like to trust Him fully with an area of your life where you currently struggle?
- 4
Philippians 2:5-8 tells us Jesus humbled Himself and became a servant. How can you follow His example of humility and service in your daily life?
- 5
Jesus is King and Lord. What area of your life are you still trying to control instead of submitting to His lordship?
Prayer
Prayer
Jesus, I stand in awe of who You are. You are God. You were in the beginning with the Father and the Holy Spirit. You created all things. You spoke the worlds into existence, and by Your power all things hold together. You are eternal, unchanging, all-powerful, and all-knowing. You are worthy of all praise, honor, and worship. Thank You for becoming human. Thank You for walking this earth, understanding our struggles, and suffering with us. Thank You for dying on the cross to pay for my sins and the sins of the world. Thank You for rising from the dead, defeating death and hell, and opening the way to eternal life. I acknowledge You as my Savior. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me by Your blood. I acknowledge You as my Lord. I surrender my life to Your will and Your way. Help me to follow You, obey You, and trust You with all my heart. I worship You, Lord Jesus. You are my God, my Savior, my Lord, and my King. Amen.
Living the Word
- 1
This week, spend 15 minutes daily reading the Gospel accounts of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). Pay attention to His teachings, His actions, and His character. As you read, ask yourself: 'What does this teach me about who Jesus is?'
- 2
Choose one area of your life where you have not fully submitted to Jesus as Lord. Write it down. Pray specifically, asking Jesus to help you surrender that area to His authority and care.
- 3
Share with someone this week about who Jesus is. You might share John 1:1-14 and explain that Jesus is God, fully God and fully man, your Savior and Lord. Invite them to believe in Him.
- 4
Worship Jesus this week. Sing to Him, pray to Him, and tell Him how much He means to you. Let your worship flow from understanding that you are addressing the God of the universe.
- 5
Identify one specific way this week that you can follow Jesus' example of humility and service. Do something kind, serve someone in need, or put another person's interests ahead of your own.
Related Studies
Study 2: What It Means to Be Saved - Understanding the gift of salvation that Jesus offers
Study 3: The Power in the Name of Jesus - Authority and spiritual power that comes through His name
Study 4: Jesus Is Lord - Understanding Christ's complete authority and our response to His lordship
Study 5: The Resurrection - Why Christ's resurrection is the foundation of our faith
Key Cross References
John 10:30 - Jesus declares: 'I and my Father are one'
John 14:8-9 - When Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus replied: 'Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father'
Romans 9:5 - Paul writes of Christ: 'who is over all, God blessed for ever'
1 Timothy 3:16 - 'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh'
1 John 1:1-2 - John testifies: 'That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes... the Word of life... and we shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us'
Revelation 1:8 - Jesus declares: 'I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty'
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