Lesson 1.22: The King's Teachings About Himself

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LESSON 1.22: THE KING'S TEACHINGS ABOUT HIMSELF

Loved one, all the great religious leaders in history have pointed to truth beyond themselves. They have said, "That is truth. Follow it." Only Jesus pointed to Himself and said, "I am the truth. Follow me."

Some things He said about Himself were so shocking that the Jewish leaders accused Him of insulting God, and later they had Him killed.

In this lesson, Jesus will speak for Himself. Listen closely to some of His amazing claims...

Jesus Claimed His Words Were God's Words

In Jerusalem, during the Festival of Shelters, the Jewish leaders were looking for Jesus. They wanted to kill Him (John 7:1).

When the festival was about over, Jesus went to the temple area and began teaching

The Jewish leaders asked, "How does this man know so much? He never had the kind of teaching we had."

Jesus replied, "What I teach is not my own. My teaching comes from the one who sent me. People who really want to do what God wants will know that my teaching comes from God" (vs. 14-17).

If we really want to please God and to do what He wants, it will become clear to us that Jesus' words came from God.

Later, Jesus spoke to people in Jerusalem who did not believe in Him. He said with a loud voice, "There is a judge for all those who refuse to believe in me and do not accept what I say. The message I have spoken will judge them on the last day. That is because what I taught was not from myself. The Father who sent me told me what to say and what to teach. And I know that whatever he says to do will bring eternal life. So the things I say are exactly what the Father told me to say" (John 12:48-50).

Later, Jesus said, "This teaching that you hear is not really mine. It is from my Father who sent me" (John 14:24). Jesus spoke the words of God.

Jesus Claimed To Be Sinless

A group of Pharisees said to Jesus, "When you talk about yourself, you are the only one who says these things are true. So we cannot accept what you say" (John 8:13).

Jesus replied, "I know where I come from. And I know where I am going" (v. 14).

"The Father who sent me is with me. I know him, and I obey what he says" (v. 29).

"Can any of you prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell you the truth, why don't you believe me?" (v. 46).

No one said a word. No one could prove that He had sinned.

Jesus is the only man in history who never did anything wrong. That makes Him superior to all other men. He was both human and divine.

Jesus Claimed: "I Am"

While speaking to unbelieving Jews in Jerusalem, Jesus said, "Your father Abraham was very happy that he would see the day when I came. He saw that day and was happy."

The Jews said to Him, "What? How can you say you have seen Abraham? You are not even fifty years old."

Jesus replied, "The fact is, before Abraham was born, I AM."

When the people heard this, they picked up stones to throw at Jesus, but He escaped and left the temple (vs. 56-59).

Why were the Jews so upset with Jesus when He used the name "I AM"? They were angry because "I AM" was GOD'S name.

When God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, He said to him, "I am sending you to Pharaoh. Go! Lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10).

Moses replied, "But if I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your ancestors sent me,' then the people will ask, 'What is his name?' What should I tell them?"

God said, "When you go to the Israelites, tell them, 'I AM sent me to you'" (vs. 13-14).

The name, "I AM," indicates that God is eternal and self-existent. He exists now. He has always existed, and He will always exist.

When Jesus used the name "I AM," He was claiming to be God. He was not claiming to be God the Father. He was claiming to be the divine, eternal Word (Son) of God. That is why the Jews accused Him of blasphemy, that is, insulting God. No other man in his right mind has ever made such a claim. Jesus proved His divinity by performing miracles.

Jesus Claimed: "I Am The Bread That Gives Life"

Jesus often used symbolic language to describe His nature and character. These figures of speech reveal His divinity.

After Jesus fed 5,000 men with five loaves of bread and two small fish, the people followed Him across the lake.

Jesus said to them, "Why are you looking for me? The truth is, you are looking for me because you ate the bread and were satisfied. But earthly food spoils and ruins. So don't work for that kind of food. Work to get the food that stays good and gives you eternal life. The Son of Man will give you that food" (John 6:26-27).

"I AM the bread that gives life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who believes in me will ever be thirsty" (v. 35). Jesus gives us spiritual nourishment.

Jesus gives us eternal life. As bread gives life to the physical body, so Jesus gives life to the soul. After eating physical bread, we get hungry again. But following Jesus satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst forever.

Jesus Claimed: "I Am The Light Of The World"

One day, Jesus said to the people in Jerusalem, "I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life" (John 8:12).

In the New Testament, "light" symbolizes insight into truth, purity, and holiness. "Darkness" symbolizes ignorance, evil, and spiritual blindness.

Jesus said, "The light has come into the world. But they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things. Everyone who does evil hates the light. They will not come to the light, because the light shows all the bad things they have done. But everyone who follows the true way comes to the light" (John 3:19-21).

Jesus is an example of true enlightenment. He received spiritual light from God. Those who love truth are quick to accept the light that Jesus gives us.

Today, millions of people are enslaved to lust, alcohol, drugs, greed, hatred, pride, selfishness, and other forms of evil. Many do not realize that their lifestyles are self-destructive. But Jesus shines light upon our sins and shows us a better way of living. He breaks our spiritual bonds and makes us free to live life that is full and meaningful (John 8:32, 36).

Jesus said, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). Then Jesus enabled a blind man to see light. Satan has the lost world blinded to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The life and words of Jesus will help all mankind to see the light spiritually, and that light leads to eternal life.

Jesus Claimed: "I Am The Good Shepherd"

Sheep are defenseless animals, so owners in the ancient world hired workers to take care of their sheep.

Jesus said to the Pharisees in Jerusalem, "I AM the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep, so when he sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. The man runs away because he does not really care for the sheep. I AM the shepherd who cares for the sheep" (John 10:11-14).

It was the hired worker's responsibility to protect the flock from wild animals and physical harm. Yet, when danger came, he ran away and left the sheep alone.

Jesus willingly gave His life for the sheep. He said, "I give my life so that I can get it back again. No one takes my life away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to get it back again. This is what the Father told me" (vs. 17-18).

We are all like sheep. A sheep has no sense of direction and it gets lost easily. We too wander away from God and get lost in the wilderness of sin. We are not able to defend ourselves against the forces of evil, but the good shepherd gives His life to save us from spiritual death. Jesus is the good shepherd who restores our soul and leads us on paths that are right and good.

Jesus Claimed: "I Am The Vine"

On the night before Jesus was crucified, He gathered His followers around Him and gave them some final instructions (John 15:1-8). He said, "I AM the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. Stay connected with me, and follow my teachings... I want you to produce much fruit and show that you are my followers. This will be glory to my Father."

Jesus is the source of spiritual nourishment. As long as we stay connected to Him, we bear spiritual fruit; i.e., love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-24). We also share our faith with others in an effort to lead them to Christ. When we stay connected to Jesus, we draw on His divine nature and become more and more like Him (2 Peter 1:1-11).

Jesus Claimed: "I Am The Resurrection And The Life"

When Lazarus died, Jesus said to Martha, "I AM the resurrection and the life. Everyone who believes in me will have life, even if they die. And everyone who believes in me will never really die" (John 11:25-26).

This is an amazing claim. Jesus is saying, "I am the one who raises dead people to life. Even though a believer dies physically, he or she will still be alive."

Jesus took the sting out of death. Death is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). When we put our trust in Him and follow His teaching, He gives us life that lasts beyond the grave and continues forever.

Jesus Claimed: "I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life"

In Jesus' farewell speech to His followers (John 14:1-6), He said, "Don't be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then, I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus answered, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me."

Today, many people believe that there are many paths to God: Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, "Christian denominations," cults, etc. But Jesus did not say, "I am one of many ways to God." He said, "I AM the only way to the Father" (v. 6).

This claim offends many people today—just as it did in the first century. The question is, "Was Jesus telling us the truth? Or was He a liar or a lunatic?"

Notice again that Jesus did not say, "I am telling you the truth." He said, "I AM the truth." Jesus supported His amazing claims by His unselfish service, His balanced life, and His miracles.

Other Things That Jesus Said About Himself...

1. Jesus claimed to have shared glory with God before the world was created.

On the night before He was crucified, Jesus prayed, "And now, Father, give me glory with you. Give me the glory that I had with you before the world was made" (John 17:5).

2. Jesus claimed the authority to forgive sins.

In Capernaum, Jesus said to a crippled man, "Young man, your sins are forgiven."

To prove He had the right to forgive sins, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, stand up. Take your mat and go home." Immediately, the man got up, picked up his mat, and walked out of the room in front of everyone.

The people were amazed and praised God. They said, "This is the most amazing thing we have ever seen!" (Mark 2:1-12).

3. Jesus claimed He would come again to judge the world.

Jesus said, "The Son of Man will come again with divine greatness, and all his angels will come with him. He will sit as king on his great and glorious throne. All the people of the world will be gathered before him. Then, he will separate everyone into two groups. It will be like a shepherd separating his sheep from his goats" (Matthew 25:31-32).

As a divine judge, Jesus will punish evil people by sending them into outer darkness. And He will reward His faithful believers with everlasting life in heaven.

Facts

These amazing claims point to one thing. Jesus was Immanuel, meaning "God with us." His qualities were the qualities of God. He spoke the words of God. He was holy and sinless like God. God is our spiritual shepherd. Jesus is our good shepherd. God's name is "I AM." Jesus' name is "I AM." God forgives sins. Jesus forgives sins. God judges the world. Jesus will judge the world at the end of time.

Jesus and the Father are exactly alike in every way, yet they are distinct persons, just as is the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Godhead (Acts 17:29). They have the same nature, character, and purposes.

When we look at Jesus, we see what God is like. Jesus always obeyed the Father even when it caused Him to die. Jesus was fully God and fully man. This is a great mystery, but it is also a great truth that gives meaning to life and hope for life after death.