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Jesus as the Son of God

One of the most important ways Jesus is revealed in the Bible is as the “Son of God.” Luke recorded that when the angel spoke to Mary, he said: “The Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) The angels knew that Jesus was the Son of God.

In Matthew 8, we have the story of Jesus’ confrontation with the demons who possessed an unfortunate man, whom Jesus eventually delivered. But early in the confrontation, the demonic intruders cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” The demons knew that Jesus was the Son of God.

Mark begins His gospel with these words: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” This introduction to His account of the life of Jesus makes it clear that Jesus’ disciples recognized that He was more than just a clever debater, a wise teacher, a worthy master. He was nothing less than the Son of God.

At the crucifixion scene, another man gave testimony to Jesus divine identity. “When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54) Not only did those who had committed to following Him acknowledge Him as the Son of God, so did His executioners.

Even though no direct statement from His own lips can be found (such as “I am the Son of God”) there was no doubt in the mind of Jesus’ listeners that He identified Himself as such. This was so clear that in John 5 we read that His detractors wanted to kill Him because they knew that in calling God His Father, He was making Himself equal with God. (See John 5:17-18) They knew that Jesus was identifying Himself as the “Son of God.”

The orthodox Christian teaching that Jesus is the Son of God is one of the benchmark doctrines of the faith. Other religions are totally offended by the very idea. Within the broadest definition of Christianity, this matter separates orthodox biblical Christianity from all others. I’m telling you that it makes a difference, but what is the difference? Who cares if Jesus Christ was just a good teacher that deserves some attention?

The significance goes like this. Only if Jesus is God does His life have infinite value. Only if His life has infinite value could He die for the sins of the whole world. Only if He could die for the sins of the whole world could all who believe be saved. Only if all who believe can be saved does He live up to His claim to have come to seek and to save the lost. Only if He came to seek and to save the lost does He fulfill the Father’s purpose in giving Him up to die at the cross. Only if He fulfilled the Father’s purpose in giving Him up to die can we be saved.

When I think of Jesus as the Son of God, I am stunned to think that God, the creator of the Universe, humbled Himself to take on the form of one of His creatures, was rejected and murdered by them in general, and still offers eternal life to any individuals who will receive the truth and believe that, in fact, Jesus is the Son of God and that His sacrifice is God’s only provision for the restoration of sinful humanity. Does it matter that Jesus was truly the “Son of God?” It couldn’t matter more!

Ron Hughes
© January 2008