Did Jesus Think He Was God?

I’ve come across people who say that Jesus never claimed to be God, because He never explicitly said these specific words…

“I am God.”

Now, IF it is true that there must be a direct quote in the Bible of Jesus saying “I am God” (in order for it to be true that Jesus thought that He was God), THEN such people who make this claim are correct.

Why?

Because, this exact expression was never said by Jesus anywhere in scripture. But, does this necessarily mean that Jesus did not believe that He was… God?

The Answer is Obvious…

Check out at this section of verses from the Gospel of John. What is described happened soon after Jesus had risen from the dead…

John 20:19-29 (CSB)
“When it was evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (called “Twin” ), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord! ” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God! ” Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.“”

Did you notice that Jesus did not correct Thomas in his labeling of Jesus as “God”?

In fact, not only does Jesus not correct Thomas in saying that Jesus is God, but Jesus takes it one step further. He says that those who have not seen Him and yet believe (that He is Lord and God) are “blessed.”

(I am not going to press it any further, attempting to make the case that Jesus thought that He was God… because the answer is obvious.)

So, what do you believe?

A verse to ponder if you do not believe:

Hebrews 11:6 (CSB)
“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Some verses to ponder if you do believe:

1 Peter 1:8-9 (CSB)
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Godspeed, to the brethren!

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