What we believe about Jesus is vital. He once said, "Unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins" On. 8:24). Is it any wonder, then, that near the end of His Galilean ministry He asked the apostles, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" (Mt. 16:13), then subsequently asked, "Who do you say that I am?" (v. 15).

    People in Jesus' day had a variety of perspectives about Him. Herod Antipas thought that in light of His miraculous powers He must be John the Baptist come back from the dead (Mt. 14:1-2). Did a guilty conscience skew his view? Some scribes decided the explanation for His miracles was that He was possessed by Beelzebul, the devil (Mk. 3:22). Some said He was a Samaritan and had a demon On. 8:48). Others thought Him to be a man come from God On. 3:2). Some thought Him to be the Prophet who was to come; others, Elijah or Jeremiah (Mt. 16:14); some, the Christ On. 7:40-41).

    The debate continues. In our day, some believe Jesus to be God the Son. At the opposite end, some deny He ever existed, or say if He did the accounts of His life are unreliable legends. In between are all sorts of positions: He was some kind of god but not fully God; He was an angel; a prophet; a good man and influential teacher but nothing more; a self deceived fanatic; a confused zealot; etc.
    Would not the easiest way to resolve this vital question be to let Jesus answer it for us? Here, from the gospel of John, is a sample of what He said about Himself.

    •  "And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man" (3:13).

    •  When the Samaritan woman expressed her desire to hear Messiah's answer to her question, "Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am He'" (4:26).

    •  "For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son to have life in Himself; and he gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man" (5:26-27).

    •  I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" (6:35).

    •  I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life" (8:12).

    •  "Which one of you convicts me of sin?" (8:46)

    •  "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM" (8:58).

    •  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep. ... For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again..." (10:11-18).

    • I and the Father are one" (10:30).

    • I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die" (11:25).

    •  I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (14:6).

     • "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has
 seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, 'Show us the Father'?" (14:9).

    •  Thomas, seeing Jesus after His resurrection, exclaimed, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are those who did not see, and yet believed" (20:28-29).

    • The identity Jesus claimed is unmistakable: He came down from heaven as the Messiah, the light of the world, the life-giver, the exclusive access to the Father; He lived sinlessly and died voluntarily for my sins and yours; He arose, assuring our resurrection; one day He will be our judge; indeed, He is Lord and God.

    • Are these claims true? "Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name" Jn. 20:30-31).