On day 6 of our Bible study exploring who Jesus is, we will look at several key aspects of Jesus’ identity according to the Bible. We will examine Jesus’ divine nature, His role as savior, His sacrificial death, and His resurrection. Understanding these truths about Jesus as revealed in the Bible is crucial for Muslims seeking to know Him more fully.
Jesus is Fully God
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is fully God, co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father. Jesus claimed, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). He also said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus exercised divine prerogatives like forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-10) and accepting worship (Matthew 14:33). Thomas called Jesus “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Scripture says Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) and that “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9). As John 1:1 states about Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is the eternal Divine Son, fully God in essence, nature, and attributes. He is worthy of the worship and honor due to God alone.
Jesus is the Promised Messiah and Savior
The Bible presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and Savior of the world. Over 300 Old Testament prophecies point to the coming of Christ. Isaiah 9:6 prophesied that the Messiah would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus fulfilled these and other prophecies, proving He is the Christ. When Jesus began His ministry, John the Baptist declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The apostle Peter preached, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the Savior sent by God to redeem mankind from sin.
Jesus’ Death was a Sacrifice for Sins
Central to the gospel is the truth that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Though sinless, Jesus willingly suffered and died as a substitutionary sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world. The prophet Isaiah foretold of Christ: “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities . . . and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 1 Peter 2:24 declares, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” Jesus died in our place, taking God’s wrath so we could be forgiven.
Jesus Rose from the Dead in Victory
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. After dying for sins, Jesus rose again victoriously on the third day according to the Scriptures. This demonstrated His power over sin and death. Romans 4:25 states that Jesus “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 recounts the eyewitness testimony of Jesus’ resurrection appearances to many on several occasions. The fact that Jesus rose bodily from the grave is proof of His claims to divinity and redemption. As Romans 1:4 says, Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.”
The resurrection confirms that Jesus is the Savior who can give eternal life to all who trust in Him. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). Acts 4:12 declares, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the only way to the Father because only He died for sins and rose from the dead as proof that His sacrifice secured redemption.
Additional Key Points About Jesus in the Bible
Here are some other important truths about Jesus revealed in Scripture that provide a fuller picture of His identity and work:
- Jesus is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh to become the God-man (John 1:14).
- Jesus lived a sinless life, providing the perfect sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 4:15).
- Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law and instituted the New Covenant in His blood (Matthew 5:17; Luke 22:20).
- Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection and is exalted as Lord at the Father’s right hand (Acts 1:9; Romans 8:34).
- Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower believers as the ongoing presence of God (John 14:26; Acts 2:1-4).
- Jesus intercedes for believers as their great High Priest and advocate before the Father (Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1).
- Jesus will physically return to earth again in power and glory to judge the world (Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:11).
- Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life through Him (John 3:16; 1 John 5:11-13).
This concise overview provides a sampling of the many important truths about Jesus found in the Bible. There are enough descriptions, prophecies, and details about the life, words, death, and resurrection of Jesus in the Scriptures to fill many books. As John 20:30-31 states: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” The Bible unfolds the magnificent story of who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish as Lord and Savior.
Implications for Muslims
For Muslims seeking to understand Jesus, it is important to comprehend what the Bible declares about His divine nature and saving work. The Quran presents Jesus (Isa) as a great prophet, but not as the divine Son of God who died for sins and rose again. However, the Bible teaches these things clearly about Jesus from cover to cover. Muslims must grapple with and accept the testimony of the Bible concerning Jesus in order to know Him accurately and relate to Him rightly.
Here are some key implications for Muslims:
- Jesus’ claims to be God in the flesh demand a response – either acceptance or rejection (John 8:24).
- If Jesus is God as the Bible teaches, He deserves our worship and obedience (Matthew 4:10).
- Jesus’ death and resurrection prove both His deity and His power to save us from sin and death.
- Eternal life comes only through faith in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, not good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Believers relate to God as their Heavenly Father through Jesus (John 14:6).
- The Bible, not the Quran, is the authoritative source for knowing who Jesus really is.
Muslims cannot have a full relationship with God without acknowledging and submitting to Jesus as He is presented in the Bible. This will likely require them to rethink long-held paradigms about God, Jesus, and salvation. But doing so is necessary in light of the clear testimony of Scripture concerning the divine identity of Jesus Christ and His power to save.
Conclusion
In this overview of Bible passages on day 6 of our study, we have only scratched the surface of the rich testimony of Scripture about who Jesus is. But it provides a solid basis for understanding Jesus’ divine nature, His messianic role, His sacrificial death and powerful resurrection, and the salvation He offers. The Bible points uncompromisingly to Jesus as fully God, the promised Savior, the crucified and risen Lord. Muslims, like all people, are called to embrace and surrender to Jesus in light of the Bible’s revelation. Salvation is found in no one else. We pray this look at the Bible would draw many to know and love Jesus more.
