It is an established historical fact that Jesus Christ lived on this earth about 2,000 years ago, though some skeptics still question His existence (you can read the article Did Jesus Really Exist Historically? for details). Yet, many people wonder: Was Jesus really God, or was He just a man? Did Jesus ever claim to be God? Some regard Him as a good person with great moral values, while others see Him as merely a prophet.
Throughout history, an estimated 105 billion people have lived on earth. But Jesus Christ is unlike any other person who ever lived—no matter how famous or humble. Why? What sets Jesus apart? According to the Bible, He was God in human flesh. But what does this actually mean?
The Scriptures tell us that Jesus Christ existed eternally. In the original Hebrew Gospel of John, it says “Bereshit haya HaDavar”—meaning “In the beginning was the self-existent, creative, life-giving Word of God.” Jesus was not born or created; He is the Creator. In fact, He is the only being who exists eternally as part of the Godhead, with His reason for existence within Himself.
Supporting Biblical Evidence:
- Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 9:7 says, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.” This indicates the Son pre-existed His birth.
- Jesus’ own teachings: He said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), “Glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory I had with You before the world was” (John 17:5), and “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).
- The apostles’ teachings: John 1 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through Him; without Him nothing was made.”
- Epistles affirming His divinity: Philippians 2:6 says Jesus, “being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” 1 John 1:1-3 speaks of Jesus as the “Word of life” who was seen, heard, and touched. Colossians 1:16 confirms, “In Him all things were created, visible and invisible.”
His earthly name, Yahshua Ha Mashiach, means “The Anointed One.” He is God incarnate—fully God and fully man, without contradiction. Early false teachings suggested Jesus was a demi-god or merely a prophet. Apostle John wrote to clearly show Jesus was not a half-god or just a moral teacher, but God made flesh.
John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The Virgin Birth — Miracle or Science?
How did God become man? Scripture teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin. This has been a challenging concept for many throughout history. Early Christians simply believed it as a miraculous act of God.
Modern science has discovered a phenomenon called parthenogenesis—a form of asexual reproduction seen in plants and some animals. Research and medical records, such as those from the Department of Gynecology at London University, suggest rare cases of human parthenogenesis have occurred, including that of Jesus.
So where is the miracle? Among those few cases, Jesus is unique as the only male born this way. His virgin birth fulfilled the very first prophecy in the Bible (Genesis 3:15), foretelling the offspring of a woman who would defeat evil.
Jesus’ Unique Sonship and Life
What sets Jesus apart most is His identity as the Son of God. In the parable of the wicked tenants, He calls Himself the Son, distinct from the servants. He claimed exclusive knowledge of the Father: “No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him” (Matthew 11:27). He also spoke of a unique relationship that even angels do not share (Mark 13:32).
Jesus was born humbly—in a manger—because there was no room at the inn. He grew up in Nazareth, a despised town, to an unskilled carpenter father. He worked as a carpenter for 30 years, living a sinless, noble life. This shows no one can claim God was unfair in their birth circumstances because even Jesus lived humbly yet perfectly.
The Crucifixion and Resurrection — The Heart of the Gospel
Jesus’ life was not just about how He was born or lived, but why He died. His death on the cross was prophesied centuries before (Psalm 22, Zechariah 12). Though crucifixion was a horrific and shameful way to die, Jesus willingly suffered it to take away the sins of humanity.
Many have died on crosses, but only Jesus’ death had the power to save because He was sinless and divine. His death canceled mankind’s debt of sin (Colossians 2:14-15). He even preached to the spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:18-20) and proclaimed victory over death (Hebrews 2:14).
Most importantly, Jesus rose bodily from the dead, appearing many times over 40 days before ascending to heaven—fulfilling prophecy and confirming His divine authority.
What Should You Do By Knowing This?
Do you have a need today? A burden no one else understands? Jesus became man for you. God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son (Jesus Christ) so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.
Would you accept Jesus as your Savior today? Confess your sins, believe in your heart that Jesus died and rose again for you, and invite Him into your life. By doing so, you receive forgiveness and eternal life with God.
Reasoning Generation 