The Jewish leaders understood clearly the thrust of Jesus’ message. He never actually said the words, “I am the Son of God.” His favorite self-identification was “Son of Man,” as we have noted previously. But after hearing Jesus’ teaching over the span of three years, it was the Jews’ considered conclusion that Jesus had in fact taught that He was the Son of God. And, indeed, that was precisely His goal, that the people should see that in His teachings. Modern scholars assert that Jesus was just a man, extraordinary though He was, but just a man—and that His followers distorted this fact by propagating the “lie” that He claimed to be God. However, the contemporary adversaries of Jesus saw it quite differently—their testimony is unimpeachable. They say Jesus did in fact teach His own divinity. Today’s adversaries would do well to follow the model of the adversaries of Jesus’ day.  At least they were honest in assessing Jesus on His own terms.

Satan tested Him on this very truth, “If you are the son of God…” (Matt 4:3, 6). The demons feared Him because of this truth, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matt 8:29). The high priest tried to force the words into Jesus mouth, “But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, ‘I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.’ ” (Matt 26:63). His responses fueled the accusation.

The apostle Paul was convinced of this, and inspired by the Spirit, wrote, “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him…” (Col 1:9) and “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form …” (Col 2:9). The apostle John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory” (John 1:1, 14a). The Bible teaches there is one and only one God (Deut 6:4). “… Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, And there is no savior besides Me” (Isaiah 43:10b-11). Therefore, since there is only one God, then Jesus is that God, the Creator God of the universe. No wonder the Jews explained their animosity against Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God” (John 10:33).