God, man, or both?
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IS JESUS THE SON OF GOD?
The question of whether Jesus is the Son of God is answered with a resounding "Yes" in the Bible. Although it seems impossible for someone to be both divine and human, the eyewitnesses who watched Jesus perform miracles were convinced that He was the Son of God (Matthew 14:30-33; 16:15-16; John 1:34). Witnesses from all over the known world, including the Holy Land, Rome, Greece, Africa, and Asia, saw Jesus and believed in Him. Even His enemies, pagans, and disbelieving Jews couldn't deny the miracles that they witnessed (John 11:47).
Additionally, before Jesus was born, an angel declared Him the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Jesus called Himself the Son of God (Mark 14:61-62; John 5:18; 10:30-33; 19:7). God called Jesus His Son (Matthew 3:16-17; 17:5; 2 Peter 1:17). Even demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 3:11; Luke 4:41).
Thirty-five miracles that prove Jesus is the Son of God.
"17 BODILY CURES (click on the links)
Nobleman's Son Healed (John 4:46-54), Capernaum.
Infirm Man Healed (John 5:1-9), Jerusalem.
Peter's Mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38-39).
A Leper (Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-15).
A Paralytic (Matthew 9:2-8; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:17-26).
Man with Withered Hand (Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11).
Centurion's Servant (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10).
Two Blind Men (Matthew 9:27-31).
Deaf and Dumb Man Healed (Mark 7:31-37).
Blind Man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26).
Blind Man in Jerusalem (John 9).
Woman of 18 Years Infirmity (Luke 13:10-17).
Woman with Hemorrhage (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:42-48).
Man with Dropsy (Luke 14:1-6).
Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19).
Blind Bartimaeus (Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43).
Malchus' Ear (Luke 22:50-51).
9 MIRACLES OVER FORCES OF NATURE
Water Turned to Wine (John 2:1-11), Cana.
Draught of Fishes (Luke 5:1-11), near Capernaum.
Another Draught of Fishes (John 21:6).
Tempest Stilled (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25).
5,000 Fed (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:34-44; Luke 9:11-17; John 6:1-14).
Jesus Walked on Water (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:19).
4,000 Fed (Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9).
Tax Money (Matthew 17:24-27).
Fig Tree Withered (Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14; 20-26).
6 CURES OF DEMONIACS
A Demoniac in the Synagogue (Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37), Capernaum.
A Blind and Dumb Demoniac (Matthew 12:22; Luke 11:14).
Gerasene Demoniacs (Matthew 8:24-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39).
A Dumb Demoniac (Matthew 9:32-34).
The Syro-phoenician's daughter (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30).
The Epileptic Boy (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43).
3 RAISED FROM THE DEAD
Jarius' Daughter (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56).
Widow's Son, at Nain (Luke 7:11-15).
Lazarus, at Bethany (John 11:1-44)."
(From "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; pages 469-471)
BUT WAS JESUS ALSO A MAN?
The Bible tells us repeatedly that Jesus was a man with flesh and bones (Luke 24:39; John 1:14; Romans 1:3; 8:3; Hebrews 2:14; 5:7; 1 John 4:2-3). Like us, Jesus was born an infant (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:7), learned and grew as he aged (Luke 2:52), and was tempted to sin (Hebrews 4:15). Like mortal man, Jesus would suffer (1 Peter 2:23), and die (Philippians 2:7-8; 1 Peter 3:18). Paul, who hated and persecuted Christians, met Jesus on the road to Damascus and reported that He was a man (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus Himself said He was a man (John 8:40). Sounds pretty convincing, but read on.
"Jesus felt compassion; he was angry, indignant, and consumed with zeal; he was troubled, greatly distressed, very sorrowful, depressed, deeply moved, and grieved; he sighed; he wept and sobbed; he groaned; he was in agony; he was surprised and amazed; he rejoiced very greatly and was full of joy; he greatly desired, and he loved."
(By Professor G. Walter Hansen (ThD University of Toronto), the author of the "New Testament Commentary of Galatians" and "The Letter to the Philippians")
These sound like the traits, emotions, weaknesses, strengths, and characteristics of a man. Remember also, Jesus needed to eat (Luke 24:41-43) and drink (John 4:7; 19:28). He would tire and needed to sleep (Mark 4:35).
WHY DID GOD SEND HIS SON TO EARTH AS A MAN?
Perhaps this is another answer -
"Have you ever heard the story of "The Man and The Birds?" The author is unknown, but the story gained recognition when Paul Harvey read it every Christmas on his radio show in the mid-1960's. The story describes a man who just couldn't put his faith in Jesus because the idea of God incarnate in human flesh was too unbelievable. It didn't make any sense to him, and he couldn't pretend it did. One Christmas he declined to attend the Christmas service with his wife, saying he would feel like a hypocrite. While the man was home alone, a flock of birds lost their way in a snowstorm. One by one, they frantically tried to get inside his house by knocking themselves against his window. He had the idea if he could direct them into the warm barn, they would be safe. To that end, he tried every method he could to get their attention, but to no avail, as they were afraid of him and would fly away no matter what he did. Finally, frustrated, he thought, "If I could only become a bird like them, I could communicate in their language, and they wouldn't be afraid of me." At that moment, the church bells began ringing, the greater meaning of what he'd said suddenly became clear. Jesus became a man to explain who God is and show us the way to him."
(As told by American broadcaster Paul Harvey (1918-2009) and excerpted by Sheila Alewine, author, and co-founder of the "Around the Corner Ministries")
Each person must decide for themselves who Jesus is. Was He just a nice man who lived two thousand years ago? Or is He the Son of God who came to earth as a man to save us from ourselves? Christians believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man. This is a vital tenet of the Christian faith (1 John 4:2).
The question of whether Jesus is the Son of God is answered with a resounding "Yes" in the Bible. Although it seems impossible for someone to be both divine and human, the eyewitnesses who watched Jesus perform miracles were convinced that He was the Son of God (Matthew 14:30-33; 16:15-16; John 1:34). Witnesses from all over the known world, including the Holy Land, Rome, Greece, Africa, and Asia, saw Jesus and believed in Him. Even His enemies, pagans, and disbelieving Jews couldn't deny the miracles that they witnessed (John 11:47).
Additionally, before Jesus was born, an angel declared Him the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Jesus called Himself the Son of God (Mark 14:61-62; John 5:18; 10:30-33; 19:7). God called Jesus His Son (Matthew 3:16-17; 17:5; 2 Peter 1:17). Even demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 3:11; Luke 4:41).
Thirty-five miracles that prove Jesus is the Son of God.
"17 BODILY CURES (click on the links)
Nobleman's Son Healed (John 4:46-54), Capernaum.
Infirm Man Healed (John 5:1-9), Jerusalem.
Peter's Mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38-39).
A Leper (Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-15).
A Paralytic (Matthew 9:2-8; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:17-26).
Man with Withered Hand (Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11).
Centurion's Servant (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10).
Two Blind Men (Matthew 9:27-31).
Deaf and Dumb Man Healed (Mark 7:31-37).
Blind Man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26).
Blind Man in Jerusalem (John 9).
Woman of 18 Years Infirmity (Luke 13:10-17).
Woman with Hemorrhage (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:42-48).
Man with Dropsy (Luke 14:1-6).
Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19).
Blind Bartimaeus (Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43).
Malchus' Ear (Luke 22:50-51).
9 MIRACLES OVER FORCES OF NATURE
Water Turned to Wine (John 2:1-11), Cana.
Draught of Fishes (Luke 5:1-11), near Capernaum.
Another Draught of Fishes (John 21:6).
Tempest Stilled (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25).
5,000 Fed (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:34-44; Luke 9:11-17; John 6:1-14).
Jesus Walked on Water (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:19).
4,000 Fed (Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9).
Tax Money (Matthew 17:24-27).
Fig Tree Withered (Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14; 20-26).
6 CURES OF DEMONIACS
A Demoniac in the Synagogue (Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37), Capernaum.
A Blind and Dumb Demoniac (Matthew 12:22; Luke 11:14).
Gerasene Demoniacs (Matthew 8:24-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39).
A Dumb Demoniac (Matthew 9:32-34).
The Syro-phoenician's daughter (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30).
The Epileptic Boy (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43).
3 RAISED FROM THE DEAD
Jarius' Daughter (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56).
Widow's Son, at Nain (Luke 7:11-15).
Lazarus, at Bethany (John 11:1-44)."
(From "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; pages 469-471)
BUT WAS JESUS ALSO A MAN?
The Bible tells us repeatedly that Jesus was a man with flesh and bones (Luke 24:39; John 1:14; Romans 1:3; 8:3; Hebrews 2:14; 5:7; 1 John 4:2-3). Like us, Jesus was born an infant (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:7), learned and grew as he aged (Luke 2:52), and was tempted to sin (Hebrews 4:15). Like mortal man, Jesus would suffer (1 Peter 2:23), and die (Philippians 2:7-8; 1 Peter 3:18). Paul, who hated and persecuted Christians, met Jesus on the road to Damascus and reported that He was a man (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus Himself said He was a man (John 8:40). Sounds pretty convincing, but read on.
"Jesus felt compassion; he was angry, indignant, and consumed with zeal; he was troubled, greatly distressed, very sorrowful, depressed, deeply moved, and grieved; he sighed; he wept and sobbed; he groaned; he was in agony; he was surprised and amazed; he rejoiced very greatly and was full of joy; he greatly desired, and he loved."
(By Professor G. Walter Hansen (ThD University of Toronto), the author of the "New Testament Commentary of Galatians" and "The Letter to the Philippians")
These sound like the traits, emotions, weaknesses, strengths, and characteristics of a man. Remember also, Jesus needed to eat (Luke 24:41-43) and drink (John 4:7; 19:28). He would tire and needed to sleep (Mark 4:35).
WHY DID GOD SEND HIS SON TO EARTH AS A MAN?
Perhaps this is another answer -
"Have you ever heard the story of "The Man and The Birds?" The author is unknown, but the story gained recognition when Paul Harvey read it every Christmas on his radio show in the mid-1960's. The story describes a man who just couldn't put his faith in Jesus because the idea of God incarnate in human flesh was too unbelievable. It didn't make any sense to him, and he couldn't pretend it did. One Christmas he declined to attend the Christmas service with his wife, saying he would feel like a hypocrite. While the man was home alone, a flock of birds lost their way in a snowstorm. One by one, they frantically tried to get inside his house by knocking themselves against his window. He had the idea if he could direct them into the warm barn, they would be safe. To that end, he tried every method he could to get their attention, but to no avail, as they were afraid of him and would fly away no matter what he did. Finally, frustrated, he thought, "If I could only become a bird like them, I could communicate in their language, and they wouldn't be afraid of me." At that moment, the church bells began ringing, the greater meaning of what he'd said suddenly became clear. Jesus became a man to explain who God is and show us the way to him."
(As told by American broadcaster Paul Harvey (1918-2009) and excerpted by Sheila Alewine, author, and co-founder of the "Around the Corner Ministries")
Each person must decide for themselves who Jesus is. Was He just a nice man who lived two thousand years ago? Or is He the Son of God who came to earth as a man to save us from ourselves? Christians believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man. This is a vital tenet of the Christian faith (1 John 4:2).