How do we know that Jesus is God? Many agree that he was a good person and a great prophet, but how can we be sure that he is God? Last week we began to look at 1 John 5:6-12. We rejoice this time of year that Jesus came in the flesh. But Jesus was more than a man. He was God in the flesh. John gave three witnesses to the deity of Christ.
First, we see the witness of the Spirit. John appears to be referring to the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, who opens our eyes to see the truth as it is in Jesus. We see this confirmed by Christ in John 14:15-17 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” Again in John 16:13, he tells us, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” The Holy Spirit confirms in our hearts that Jesus is God.
Second, we see the witness of the water. Here we speak of Christ’s baptism. Before Jesus’ ministry, John the Baptist was baptizing in Jordan. To have a relationship with God at this time, one had to become a proselytized Jew. To do this, one had to repent of their sin and be baptized. John came along and began to tell the Jews that they were not true Jews and needed to repent and be baptized to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Then Christ came. John recognized him as the Messiah and stated that Jesus did not need to be baptized. But Christ stated that it was necessary. Why? To fulfill all righteousness. To condescend to our estate, he had to identify with our sin. He did this in his baptism. But an interesting thing happened at his baptism. As he came out of the water after being submerged, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove. God himself audibly said, “This is my beloved Son!”
Finally, we see the witness of blood. Even in Christ’s death, there was a witness to his deity (Matthew 27). In verse 45, darkness came over the land from the 6-8th hour (12:00-3:00 pm). Then, in verse 51, we see that when Jesus died, the earth mourned, and our way to God was opened. The veil of the temple ripped from top to bottom. This veil was a thick curtain ripped from top to bottom. Second, there was a massive earthquake. Third, dead people started to resurrect. All these things combined to demonstrate Christ’s deity. So much so that the centurion reacted in verse 54, “This was the Son of God!”
As you consider the season of Christmas, remember that we celebrate the coming of God in the flesh. The miracle is that Jesus became human to take our sins on himself. Jesus is God!