Jesus Christ. His name conjures up more opinions and emotions than any other name in human history. He is not only the central figure of the Christian faith but also the central figure of human history. Some people hate him and others love him, some people fight wars in his name and others fight for peace in his name, and some people believe he is a myth and others worship him as God. Jesus Christ. What comes to your mind when you hear his name?
Much can be said about Jesus, but it may be wise to allow Jesus to speak for himself before formulating an opinion about him. If you were to walk up to Jesus and ask him who he is, then what do you think he would say. Perhaps the most direct answers to this question of “who is Jesus?” or “who is the Christ?” can be found in the Gospel of John. More could be said about Jesus from the New Testament, which is the main source regarding the person of Jesus, or from other historical documents, but the rest of this page will simply outline some of the clear statements from Jesus about who he is from the Gospel of John, and then end with some free resources that you can look into for more information about the Christ.
Who are you Jesus? [cf. John 7:25-31; 40-52]…
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (6:35-40). Jesus is obviously using a figure of speech here to describe who he is. In this imagery, Jesus is saying that like physical bread that sustained physical life, he is the bread of life that sustains eternal life with God. Here Jesus also said that came from heaven, so he is not created, and that he is also gracious in that he saves all that come to him.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (8:12). Jesus is again using a figure of speech to communicate some points to the religious leaders of the day (and also in the next text). In Judaism, the symbol of light referred to God’s presence or salvation. Thus, Jesus is the light, i.e. the life giving presence or salvation of God.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (10:7-18). In this text, Jesus is way to be saved and he is the Savior who rescues his “sheep” by laying down his life and taking it up again (reference to his death and resurrection).
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (11:25-26). Jesus said these words right before he raised a man from the dead. Jesus is clearly saying and proving that he is the one who has the power over life and death.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (14:6-7). Jesus said these words in response to a disciple’s question, which was: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way [to God the Father’s house and the place that Jesus will prepare]?” Jesus answers by saying that he is the only way to God, and if you know him you know God.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:1-11). Jesus continues to speak to his disciples. He is using figurative imagery to drive home his point, which is that he is the only way that one can bear fruit (good works) and glorify God. Those who do not are “thrown into the fire” and burned (i.e. God’s judgement).
“I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him” (John 8: 24-30).
“Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple” (8:53-59).
One must understand some Old Testament background for many of the above verses, but especially this group of verses (cf. Exodus 3:13-14; Deutornomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:25). Yet there is only one reason why some of the Jewish people wanted to stone Jesus and that is because Jesus said he is God.
Now here is the big question: Now that Jesus has told you who he is, will you believe him?
Other free resources:
- A sermon series (in video, mp3, and written formate) that answers twelve common questions about Jesus can be found here.
- A sermon that specifically answers the question “who is Jesus?” can be found here.
- A book in pdf formate that gives 50 reasons why Jesus came to die can be found here. Other articles from the same site that deal with Jesus can be found here.
BIBLOGRAPHY:
All Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version. Wheaton: Crossway, 2001.
Green, J. B., McKnight, S., & Marshall, I. H. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992.
