5 Powerful Things Jesus Says about Himself

The Pharisees were outraged. Jesus’ disciples had picked and eaten some heads of grain while they walked through the fields. They had broken the Sabbath by engaging in work, no matter how seemingly small the act. Because of this desecration, the Pharisees complained to Jesus.

These men may have appeared zealous for God’s honor, but they were more concerned about their interpretations of the law. Jesus’ rebuke revealed their folly. They were missing the point of the commandment, for David had eaten consecrated bread and the priests regularly “broke” the Sabbath by performing their God-ordained duties (Matthew 12:3-5).

As Mark’s gospel elaborates in Jesus’ reply: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28). Sabbath existed for the benefit of humankind. They had confused manmade ritual with true worship (Matthew 12:7).

In addition to His rebuke, Christ demonstrated His lordship by entering a synagogue and healing a man with a shriveled hand (Matthew 12:9-14). The One who was greater than the temple was among them, and He cleared away the ritualistic nitpicking that characterized the Pharisaical interpretation of the law. They could get upset and claim He was breaking the law, but the Lord of the Sabbath had the right to clarify Sabbath-keeping.

By making this statement, Jesus placed Himself above the Sabbath, and above the law of Moses. In essence, He was putting Himself in the place of God, for it was God who gave the command to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). The Son of Man is definitely more than a mere rabbi. He rules over the law and perfectly fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17).

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Another statement from Christ ruffled feathers, though this time even some of His followers were unsettled. After the feeding of the five thousand, the people sought Jesus. Despite their enthusiasm, Jesus knew they only followed Him because He had provided them with food. What they really needed was the bread of life.

He declared Himself to be this bread of life, the One who would give His body as food and blood as drink. Those who ate this bread, which is far greater than the manna of old, would receive everlasting life (John 6:53-58). The crowd sought temporary sustenance; He offered eternal nourishment.

As was expected, people misunderstood Jesus’ statement. They argued among themselves: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (John 6:52). A strange, cannibalistic interpretation of Christ’s words arose in their minds, and many stopped following Him after this time (John 6:66). What they did not realize is that the words He spoke were spiritually focused (John 6:63). He would lay down His life for the sake of the world and shed His blood for the sins of humankind.

All who eat from the bread of life –– the sacrifice of Jesus –– receive eternal life. Christians continue to remember this gift of life whenever they share the sacrament of communion –– bread and wine as symbols of Jesus’ body and blood (see Matthew 26:26-28). We are more greatly blessed than the Israelites who received the manna, for the bread of life that came from heaven, our Lord, will sustain us forever. As He promised: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:54).

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Multiple times during Jesus’ ministry, the religious teachers of the day wanted to kill Him. One such occasion was when the Lord said He was equal to the Father. Having taught the people during the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, Jesus explained more about His sheep and how none will perish (John 10:22-28). He then made the statement: “I and the Father are One” (John 10:30).

Those who deny the divinity of Christ prefer interpretations that dismiss the significance of Jesus’ words. They argue that Jesus said that all people are “gods,” and assert that He was referring to a oneness in purpose with the Father. Yet, the Jewish leaders understood what Christ meant: “you, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). And they wanted to kill Him for it, including after the quotation from Psalm 82 about being “gods.”

Christ emphasized that His position was greater than that of those who had received the word of God and had acted as rulers, being called “sons” (see Psalm 82:1-4, 6-7). He deserved the title “Son of God” even more because He was uniquely set apart, as evidenced by His works. Thus, Jesus did say He is God, since “the Father is in me, and I [am] in the Father” (John 10:38). He is the One who perfectly reveals the Father (John 14:7, 9; Hebrews 1:1-3).

Such a statement forces us to wrestle with the question of who Jesus is, because He is clearly more than a rabbi or prophet. Unlike critics who claim that the doctrine of Jesus’ divinity was added later by the church, Christ’s words show us otherwise.

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Throughout time, people have sought the truth, wondering how they can be freed from guilt and shame. They desire to know how to defeat death –– the destiny that is awaiting every person. Individuals conduct their search by studying world religions and seeking a way of life that brings peace. Yet, many still wonder: how do I find the truth?

Jesus speaks powerfully into this spiritual quest. The disciple Thomas wanted to know where Jesus was going and how they could follow him (John 14:5). Although he did not know that Christ spoke about His coming death, resurrection, and ascension, he wanted to be with the Lord.

What was the way to where Jesus was going? The Lord directed the focus to Himself. As He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

In no way did Jesus imply that there are multiple ways to the Father. He taught that knowing and being with the Father requires the Son. There is no other way or approach to life that brings salvation or eternal life. If anyone wants to know where to find truth, they need only look to the person of Christ. He is the Truth.

Exclusivity is unpopular in the world today, especially in a society that promotes religious pluralism. Yet, Jesus is clear that the only way to know God and receive salvation is through Him. All other paths are dead ends.

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At the sight of the glorified Christ, John fell to the floor as if dead. The sight overwhelmed him with fear: there was Jesus in front of him with a golden sash and feet of burning bronze (Revelation 1:12-16). Yet the holy and awesome Lord did not rebuke the apostle. Instead, He touched His friend and encouraged John not to be afraid. In this context, Jesus declared Himself to be the First and the Last, the Living One who conquered death (Revelation 1:17-18).

This statement of sovereignty and self-existence echoes Revelation 1:8 and evokes the words of Yahweh in Exodus 3:14 when He revealed Himself to Moses as the great “I AM.” There has never been a time when God has not existed, and He will never cease to be the Lord God. But while Moses experienced a theophany of God at the burning bush, John saw the Living One who is the image of the Father. Here is Jesus identifying Himself as Yahweh, the everlasting God who was, and is, and is to come.

Commentators debate whether Jesus declared Himself to be the Alpha and Omega in Revelation 1:8, since some favor the interpretation that the Father is in view in the verse. However, evidence that Jesus is the focus of the passage is confirmed by the surrounding context, of the promise of His return when every eye will see Him, and His statement to John of being the First and the Last (Revelation 1:7-8, 12-18). In the Koine Greek alphabet, Alpha is the first letter while Omega is the last. He is, as many versions include, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8, see NKJV).

Who is Jesus, the One who is the center of Scripture? He is the Lord God who came to save us, and who is coming again.

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