18. Jesus Reveals Himself

Jesus' Divinity in the Foregoing Chapters

In the course of the foregoing chapters we have had frequent occasion to speak of Jesus' Divinity Jesus is truly God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. At the same time, He is truly man possessing a perfect human nature. This truth underlines the whole Gospel proclamation. It may be useful to recall some of the aspects under which we discussed this truth.

In chapter two, St. Matthew proved that Jesus not only fulfils Old Testament prophecies, but that He possesses divine power such as God possessed in the Old Testament.

In chapter five St. John arranges his gospel in such a way that our attention is focussed on Jesus' divine origin. Jesus is truly a man. Yet He is 'from God': He is one with the Father from all eternity.

In chapter eight, for the Jews, the Temple was the greatest object on earth as it meant God's presence to them. Jesus taught that He Himself is greater than the Temple, as He is God's perfect revelation.

In chapter nine, the scribes drew their teaching from tradition. Jesus taught with power. Introducing changes into God's Law on His own authority. It illustrates Jesus' consciousness of divine sovereignty.

In chapter thirteen, when discussing Jesus' human character we found it had no equal in human history. Through His perfect life as a man He made it easy for us to understand the Incarnation: that God came to live with us as one of us.

In chapter sixteen Jesus' miracles were manifestations of God's power The miracles revealed Jesus divinity, even if Jesus did not always explicitly say so. Jesus did such things as only God can do.

In chapter seventeen Jesus revealed His special relationship with the Father and the Spirit. He Himself has a place in the divine Trinity.

From a study of these aspects it becomes clear that Jesus began to reveal His divinity in many indirect ways:

- by calling Himself greater than the Temple;- by teaching with divine authority; -by living a life of unparalleled holiness; -by performing divine miracles on His own authority; -by revealing a special relationship to 'The Father'; and so on.

In this chapter we want to study some texts in which Jesus revealed His divinity directly.

JERUSALEM: CITY OF JESUS' SELF-REVELATION

It is especially at the end of His public ministry and in Jerusalem that Jesus revealed the true nature of His person.

On the Mount of Olives, Jesus wept over Jerusalem and He prophesied its destruction. To the east, was the cursed fig tree and Lazarus' house (2 miles from Jerusalem). Just north of the Temple was the Pool of Bethsaida. On the south east of the City was the Pool of Siloam. The possible site of the upper-room used for the Last Supper was to the south west of the Temple. The probable site of the building for the Sanhedrin was by the west wall of the Temple. Mount Calvary was outside the walls to the north west. The Garden of Joseph of Arimathea with Jesus' tomb just to the west of that. South if this, the road to Joppe ran north west to Emmaus where Jesus appeared to two disciples.

1. Jesus was from all eternity with the Father

JESUS CLAIMS TO BE ETERNAL

During the Feast of Tabernacles (cf. Jn 7:2, 14) Jesus had come to Jerusalem. He preached in the Temple. Directing the discussions to Jesus' own personality, the Jews asked: Jn 8:52-58 ( excerpts ).

Jews: "Abraham is dead; the prophets are dead; and yet you say, "If anyone obeys My teaching he shall not know what it is to die"! Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead!? The prophets are dead too! What do you claim to be ?
(means: Abraham was the greatest prophet and patriarch. But he also died. Does Jesus claim to be greater than Abraham? )

Jesus: "Your father Abraham was overjoyed to see My day he saw it and was glad".
(means: Abraham, like all the Jews was anxiously looking forward to the day when God was to redeem His people This was called 'The Day of God'. Jesus calls it 'My Day', implying that He is God).

Jews "You are not yet fifty years old. How can you have seen Abraham?"

Jesus: "In very truth I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am".
(means: Jesus existed from all eternity. He is God Himself He is the "I AM". Remember how God says to Moses "when someone asks you, "Who is it that sends you?", say, "I AM (WHO AM), sends me" (Ex 3:13-14). Jesus claims therefore, to be God Himself, the God who appeared to Moses, the God who exists from all eternity).

JESUS PROVES HIS CLAIM

When Jesus had spoken these words, the Jews pick up stones to kill Him (Jn 8:59). But Jesus leaves the Temple and at the entrance he meets the man blind from birth. Jesus anoints the man's eyes with spittle and clay and sends him to the pool of Siloam to wash himself (symbol of baptism). The man regains his sight and publishes this fact all over Jerusalem. Finally he is called before the Jewish leaders where he defends Jesus. (Jn 9:13-34):

Jews: "Speak the truth before God. We know that this fellow (Jesus) is a sinner".

Blind man: "Whether or not he is a sinner, I do not know. All I know is this: once I was blind, now I can see!" (The Jews call witnesses, They all confirm the fact).

Jews: "You are that man's disciple! But we are disciples of Moses. We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow we do not know where He comes from!"
(means: Jesus is, they think, not greater than Moses, who received from God the law of the Sabbath. But Jesus cures on the Sabbath, so He must be a sinner.

Blind man: What an extraordinary thing! Here is a man who has opened my eyes, yet you do not know where He comes from! It is common knowledge that God does not listen to sinners! He listens to someone who is devout and who obeys His will To open the eyes of a man born blind - it is unheard of since time began! If that man had not come from God, He could have done nothing!

CONCLUSION Jesus is teaching a very difficult doctrine when He speaks about His own Divinity. That is why He proves His claim with a stupendous miracle, and by the nature of the miracle (giving sight, giving light) He indicates that the gift of faith will be given to those who want to see. Read Our Lord's discussion with the Pharisees in Jn 9:39-41!

2. Jesus is the Divine Judge of all mankind

JESUS CLAIMS TO BE DIVINE JUDGE OF ALL

On the occasion of Jesus' curing a paralytic in the pool of Bethsaida, a dispute arose. Jesus had just said that He had the right to work on the Sabbath as God, His Father. (Jn 5:18-23)

Jews: "You are not only breaking the Sabbath, but, by calling God your own Father, you claim equality with God!"

Jesus: (Surely, I am equal with God , but not as a second God next to Him. The Father and I share the same divine nature).

"The Son can do nothing by Himself. He does only what He sees the Father doing.
(a) What the Father does, the Son does,
(b) ...As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to men, as He determines. And again, the Father does not judge anyone,
(c) but has given it to the Son to judge;
(d) it is His will that all should pay the same honour to the Son as to the Father. To deny honour to the Son is to deny it to the Father who sent Him".
(means:God is the supreme judge of all. He can give life; all have to honour Him. This divine power is shared by Father and Son. The Son is absolutely equal to the Father, exercising the same divine activities, deserving the some honour, etc).

JESUS PROVES HIS CLAIM

The pool of Bethsaida (with its five colonnades) was a watertank used for Temple purposes. Next to it was a Temple of the Greek God Ascleipios, the god of health, and apparently there was a superstition that people got miraculously cured there. The paralytic was really not allowed to seek a cure in this pagan Temple. Jesus not only cured him, but forgave his sins, saying, "Leave your sinful ways" (Jn 5:1-7; cf. vs. 14). Jesus appeals to the miracle as a proof of the veracity of His claim, (Jn 5:36-37).

Jesus: "There is enough to prove to you that the Father has sent Me, in the works my Father gave Me to do and to finish the very works (miracles) I am doing now. This is a proof given in My behalf by the Father who sent Me, although you have never heard His voice or seen His form".

In the Book of Deuteronomy the lawgiver (Moses) had given this rule to discern the true from the false prophet: "If you say to yourselves, 'How can we recognize a word which the Lord has not spoken?' - when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word which the Lord has not spoken..." (Deut 18:21-22).

Jesus appeals to this rule: (Jn 5:41-47). Jesus: "I have come with good proofs given by My Father, and yet you have no welcome for Me... (vs. 43) Do not imagine that I shall be your accuser at God's tribunal. Your accuser is Moses, the very Moses on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses you would believe what I tell you, for it was about Me that he wrote..." Jesus is also referring to the Messianic promise given by Moses in the same text: "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me...Whoever will not listen to his words, it will be required of him!" (Dt 18:15ff)

Summary: Jesus claims to be equal to the Father. He proves this claim by His miracles. He is the great prophet spoken of by Moses; the Jews should apply the rule laid down by Moses and judge Him by the efficacy of His word.

3. Jesus is One with God the Father

JESUS CLAIMS TO BE ONE WITH GOD THE FATHER

On the feast of Dedication, during winter, Jesus had a discussion with the Jewish leaders in Solomon's Porch (Jn 10:22). In the course of the conversation Jesus said "I and the Father are One." The Jews picked up stones to kill Him (Jn 10:31-39).

Jesus: "I have done many good deeds before your eyes. I did these deeds with My Father's power. For which of these do you want to stone Me?"

Jews: "We are not going to stone you for any good deed, but for your blasphemy. You, a mere man, claim to be a god!"

Jesus: "Is it not written in your own Law, "I said, You are gods"? Therefore, those are called gods to whom the word of God is addressed - and Scripture cannot be set aside! Then why do you charge Me with blasphemy because I, consecrated and sent into the world by the Father, said, "I am God's son"?
(means: Do not be rash in your judgement! You think that I am obviously a liar, because you see that I am an ordinary man and yet I claim to be God at the same time. But a claim to 'be god' may be understood in so many ways. In the Old Testament (Ps. 82:6) God calls ordinary people 'gods' and surely for some good reason. Therefore, take the trouble to find out in what way I claim to be God's Son! )

Jesus: "If I were not acting as My Father would (i.e. as God would act), then do not believe Me. But if I am, accept the proof of My deeds - accept at least that much if you do not want to believe Me. Then you will recognize and admit that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father'
(means: God the Father and I are very intimately united. We are One God ('The Father and I are One'). This you should realise, considering that I am acting with divine power. You should at least accept those proofs).

JESUS PROVES HIS CLAIM

Jesus withdrew from Jerusalem. But very soon afterwards He performed one of His greatest miracles: the raising of Lazarus (Jn 11). This miracle symbolized Jesus' power to give life (as only God can do) and prepared the way for Jesus' Resurrection. This last sign clearly proved to many Jews that Jesus could only be working with God's sanction:

— "Now many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and who had seen what Jesus did (raising Lazarus from the dead), put their faith in Him". (Jn 11: 45)
— A great number of Jews heard that Jesus was there (in Bethany), and came not only to see Jesus, but also Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead. The chief priests then resolved to do away with Lazarus as well, since on his account many Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him". (Jn 12:9-11)
— "The people who were present when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead told what they had seen and heard. That is why the crowd went to meet Him. They had heard of this sign that He had performed". (Jn 12:17-18)

4. Jesus states, bound by an oath, that He is God

JESUS CLAIMS DIVINE STATUS

The Jewish leaders had arrested Jesus. They took Him to their supreme court, the Sanhedrin, and tried to accuse Him of a sin worthy of death. Mt 26:62-66 (cf. Lk 22:66-71): Highpriest : "By the living God I charge You to tell us under oath: Are You the promised Redeemer, the Son of God?"
(means: As Chief Judge, the Highpriest can ask Jesus to make a statement as to His claims. This statement will be taken as an oath. )

Jesus: "If I tell you, you will not believe Me; and if I ask questions, you will not answer. But I tell you this: from now on, You will see the Son of Man seated at the Right Hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven!"

Highpriest: "You are the Son of God, then?!"

Jesus: "Yes, certainly!'' (lit.: 'You have said it').

Highpriest: "Blasphemy! Need we call further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What is your opinion?"

Scribes: "He is guilty! He should die!')
means: Jesus claimed to be the "Son of Man" prophesied in Daniel, where we read: "Behold, on the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man... And to Him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion..." (Dan 7:14f).

It is obvious from the text that the 'Son of Man' has a divine status. Moreover, Jesus said that He will sit 'at God's right hand', which implies the same (see Mt 22:41-45). It is clear that the High Priest and the scribes took Jesus' words to mean to claim divinity. For it was not a blasphemy to call oneself the Messiah, and it did not deserve death as a punishment.

JESUS PROVES HIS CLAIM

It should be noted that Jesus speaks about this 'coming of the Son of Man' as a warning. "You will see the Son of Man..." Was He thinking of the Last Judgement? No! At least, not of the Last Judgement alone. Jesus was also thinking of the Destruction of Jerusalem, which was to be the type and symbol of the Last Judgement. In His eschatological sermon (Mt 24-25) Jesus speaks of both the Last Judgement and the Destruction of Jerusalem together. About Jerusalem He said:

"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation and destruction are near!" (Lk 21:20). "Do you see all these buildings? I tell you this: not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down!" (Mt 24:2) "Let those who are in Judea then, flee to the hills!" (Mt 24:16)

We know from Church History how this prophecy of Jesus was fulfilled! In the year 70 AD (forty years later) the Romans conquered the city and totally destroyed it. The Temple was burned. Innumerable people were killed by famine, disease and the sword. The remnant of Jerusalem's inhabitants, about 97,000 people, were taken to Rome and sold as slaves. The Christians, warned by Jesus' prophecy, had left the province of Judea in time and had settled in Pella, on the other side of the Jordan. In this way the Jewish leaders saw how the Old Testament (Jerusalem) was superseded with Jesus' coming as the Son of Man.

Discussion of some difficult texts

1. When the rich young man came to Jesus he asked: "Good Master, what must I do to win eternal life?"
Jesus replied:
"Why do you call Me good' No one is good except GOD alone!" (Mk 10:17-18)

Explanation:

It was not the custom to add "good" to the Jewish title 'Master' (which was Rabbi, Rabboni in Hebrew). 'Good Master' was a specially flattering way of speaking, as when someone would address a priest as "kind Father". In His reply to the young man, Jesus shows that He does not like this type of flattery. That is why He says to him: "Why do you call Me good?" Jesus does not deny that he can be called good and that He Himself is God, but He wants the young man to reflect on the meaning of 'being good'. Jesus adds: "No one is good except God alone.' Jesus does not mean that we cannot call anyone good on earth, for He Himself speaks of 'the good' at other occasions (Mt 5:45; 12:35; 20:15; 22:10; etc ). Jesus wants to say that strictly speaking all goodness comes from God. The young man certainly did not realize to what extent Jesus could be called good

This passage in the Gospel reminds me of an incident I once read about. A famous American scientist visited an Italian Museum. The guide - who had no idea with whom he was speaking - was addressing the American time and again as "Excellenza". The man got irritated and asked: "Why do you call me 'excellenza'?! Only famous people are called 'excellenza'!" He did not want to deny that he was well-known (famous) as a scientist, but he could not bear to be flattered like that by a man who did not know him! Jesus' reaction was similar to this. When the Apostle Thomas knelt before Jesus, after the resurrection, with the words: "My Lord and My God!" (Jn 20:28), Jesus did not stop him. He never stopped people who sincerely confessed their faith in His Divinity (see also Mt 16:16). But He did not want empty flattery.

2. At the Last Supper Jesus prayed with these words: "This is eternal life: to know Thee who alone art truly God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent". (Jn 17:3) Would it not seem from Jesus' words that He distinguishes the only true God from Himself? Does He thereby not deny to be God?

Explanation:

Jesus distinguishes between the Father and Himself as two persons within God, but as regards divinity He puts both persons on the same level. To gain eternal life one has to know both the Father and the Son! How do we know them? In two stages: by natural revelation (by which we know the Father as the only true God, i.e. by considering creation) and by the supernatural revelation of Jesus (by which we know the Son, who was sent by the Father). Jesus' words mean therefore: Eternal life will be given to those who accept both revelations, who accept the Father as Creator of the world and the Son as Revealer of the Trinity. With these words He does not deny His divinity; rather, He teaches His divinity through them.

This is also obvious if we read the whole prayer contained in Jn 17. Jesus says, for instance, in Jn 17:5:

"Father, glorify Me in Your own Presence, With the glory which I had with Thee before the world began." God's glory is exclusively God's. Jesus is asking the Father to manifest the divine glory which He, Jesus, possessed with the Father from all eternity! Surely, He could not express His claim to divinity in more convincing terms!

3. At the Last Supper Jesus said: "If you loved Me you would have been glad to hear that I was going to the Father, For the Father is greater than I." (Jn 14:28) If the Father is greater than Jesus, does this not mean that Jesus is not God?

Explanation:

Jesus does not mean that the Father is greater from the point of view of divinity. But the Father is the Person on whom the Son as Son totally depends. Whenever Jesus speaks about the Father, He always stresses both aspects. (a) that the Son receives everything from the father; (b) that the Son receives everything ( the whole divinity ) from Him. Read once more the text which we analysed at the beginning of this chapter. The Son receives from the Father (a) divine action; (b) having life; (c) being judge; (d) divine honour. These things belong intrinsically to God. God could not give these things to someone outside the Godhead. They express the divine nature itself. The Father, one Person in God, precisely is 'Father' because He passes on whole divine nature to the 'Son', the Second Person in God. In other words: Father and the Son possess and share the same nature, but the Father as Father gives; the Son as Son receives. The Father lives totally in giving all to the Son; the Son lives totally in receiving all from the Father. This is, therefore what Jesus means by the statement quoted above. "If you loved Me you would have been glad to hear that I was going to the Father." If you realise how I, as "Son" in the Trinity, live completely by My dependence on the Father, My loving 'receiving' from Him, you would have been glad. For the Father is greater than I: I depend totally on Him as My Father. In the same chapter (Jn 14:7-14) Jesus had just explained this intimate relationship with the Father:

"If you knew Me you would know My Father too" (Jn 14:7)
(means: If you realised that I am the Second Person in God : the Son who has everything He is from the Father, you would know Him too). "

Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father" (Jn 14:9)
(means: Jesus Himself is the revelation of God. Knowing (seeing) the Son, necessarily implies knowing the Father who gave all to Him ).

"Believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me" (Jn. 14:11.)
(means: the Father and the Son together perfectly possess the divinity)

4. Jesus grew up as a small boy in Nazareth. We read: "As Jesus grew up He advanced in wisdom and in favour with God and men" (Lk 2:52). If Jesus is God, how could He advance in wisdom?

Explanation:

We should not forget that Jesus was truly man. He was like us in all aspects. He ate like us; He worked like us; He was tired like us. When He was beaten He suffered and felt pain, just as we would. His appearance to other men was like any human person. Jesus also could acquire knowledge as a man. Things He knew by His divinity, could yet be learned by His humanity. It is quite a different thing to possess infinite knowledge as God and to store newly acquired knowledge in the human memory. In this way Jesus could truly be said to advance in wisdom when He was a boy. As God Jesus possessed everything; yet as man He received gifts from His fellow men. We should always distinguish between Jesus' actions as man and as God.