Who is Jesus?

​     In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Jesus tells us who He is, three times:  "I am the bread of life...I am the bread of life....I am the living bread" (John 6:35, 49, 51).  And this is one of seven descriptions that Jesus gives, beginning with the words "I am...".  (the bread of life; the light of the world; the gate for the sheep; the good shepherd; the resurrection and the life; the way, the truth and the life; the vine).
     All of these statements of identity for Jesus are claims to be God.  In John 8:58, Jesus says, "before Abraham was born, I am".  In Exodus 3:14, God gives Moses His name:  "I am who I am.  This is what you re to say to the Iasraelites:  I am has sent me to you."  And so God's name is "I am"  (which is Yahweh in Hebrew).
     So in this Gospel Reading for this Sunday, Jesus is claiming to be God, And God is the God who is the bread of life, the light of the world, the gate, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth and the life, the vine.
     If this is sounding complicated and hard to believe?,Then join those who complained in this Sunday's Gospel reading, when they said to Jesus, "Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?  How can he now say, :I have come down from heaven?" (John 6:42)
     And these people are joining many others down through the centuries that have trouble believing that Jesus is God.   And during all these same centuries, the Christian Church has written books and preached sermons, and debated on this topic, "Who is Jesus?  Is He really God?"
    Perhaps C. S. Lewis sums it all up best, when he said Jesus is either a liar, lunatic, or Lord.   He certainly made several claims to be God.  The question now is, do we believe Him?  Or is He a liar or a lunatic (who believed he was God, but really wasn't)?   I join those who believe Jesus is God.
    And that really is the response of the Christian Church:  we believe Jesus is God, Savior, and Lord!   This is what Jesus was pointing to in this Sunday's Gospel reading, "No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me...whoever believes has eternal life." (John 6:44,47)  
   Faith is God's gift.  And He gives to all who receive this gift.  And that is our response and opportunity:  to trust in God who has sent us His Son in Jesus as our Savior and Lord! 

Blessings,
Pastor Steve