After Jesus Christ healed the man who was sick for thirty-eight years by the pool in Bethesda, the Jewish leaders were very furious with Him for carrying out the healing on the Sabbath day and also for asking the man who was healed to carry his mat on that day.
They considered Jesus’ action as anti-Sabbath.It should be understood that Jesus was not against the Law of the Sabbath Day rather He was the Lord of the Sabbath and He is pleased to do whatever pleases Him especially when it involves showing mercy to those who are in pain and are also hurting.
The healing of the lame man signified Christ’s glory (His deity) and also showed His power over sickness and diseases. Jesus Christ informed the Jewish leaders that He is the Lord of the Sabbath and God is His Father.
He claims not only a unique relationship with God the Father, but also equality with God in nature, works, power, authority and honor. His claim is the most startling claim ever made and for this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him. But how do we know if the claim by Jesus that He is equal with God is true?
The Law of Moses made us to understand that by the mouth of two or three witnesses a matter shall be established (Deut17:6; 19:15). Requiring two or three witnesses was a safeguard against the lie of an individual.
Jesus could claim His pronouncements were true and accurate as both Him and the Father through the signs performed bore testimony to Jesus’ words and testimony (John 2: 1-11,8:16-18). John the Baptist endorsed Jesus’ claim (John 1:19-51, 3:22-36) and the Holy Spirit also testified about Jesus’ claim (John 15:25-26).
Now that we have proved beyond any reasonably doubt that Jesus’ claim is true. Let us take a brief look at the ways in which Jesus Christ is equal with God. Jesus is equal with God through His nature, works, power, authority and honor (John 5:16-23).
Jesus Christ has both human and divine nature. This can be seen when Jesus Christ, who, though He was in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men (Phil.2:5, 9-11).Christ in His human nature is the visible discovery of the invisible God. All fullness dwells in him; a fullness of merit and righteousness, of strength and grace for us (John 5:16-18).
The food that sustains Jesus Christ is His vocation to do God’s work (John 4:34, 5:16-19). Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18). Since God continually does good works without allowing Himself to stop on the Sabbath, the Son does likewise because of the unity of the Father and the Son.
In terms of the power of Jesus Christ as it relates to his equality with God, we can see that Christ is the one who created all things. All things were created through Him and for Him (Col.1:17, John 2:19-21). Not only did Jesus create all things; everything was created for His purpose.
The authority of Jesus is supreme. Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes (Ezek. 37:3-12, John 5:21). Jesus Christ has the right to judge humanity, for the Father committed all judgment to Him (Matt.25:32, John 5:22).
All things were created to please God and honor Him. Everything was created and committed to the Son, purposely that all men might honour the Son, as they honour the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:23, 1 John 2:23).
In conclusion, we believe that Jesus Christ is equal with God and we pray that you will accept Him as your Lord and Personal Saviour. Happy mothers day celebration to all our mothers and mothers-to-be in the future. We are grateful and appreciate you labour of love, remain blessed in Jesus name, amen.
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