Jesus Is God

If you were introduced to a tall, bald, black man wearing a jersey that said "Bulls 24" on it, and he was introduced as "Michael Jordan" would you expect him to say, "Hi, I'm a basketball player?" Or could you tell from his name and what you've seen him do that he was a basketball player?

Michael Jordan demonstrated on the court that he was a basketball player. There is no doubt about it. Watch him in action on the court for a few minutes and you knew that he could play basketball.

It's the same with Jesus Christ. He didn't need to proclaim that he is God by saying "I am God.", he did it through his actions.

Read Matthew 9:1-8

"Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the paralyzed man, 'Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.'"

"'Blasphemy! This man talks like he is God!' some of the teachers of religious law said among themselves."

"Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, 'Why are you thinking such evil thoughts? Is it easier to say, Your sins are forgiven or Get up and walk? I will prove to you that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.' Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 'Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!.'"

"And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen right before their eyes."

The teachers of religious law knew that only God can forgive sin. Sin is an offense against God, and only the one who has been offended can forgive that offense. Thus only God can forgive sin, and here Jesus was acting as though he could forgive sin... he was acting like God because He is God.

That's why it says that "Jesus knew what they were thinking." This happens numerous times in the Bible, where Jesus knows the thoughts of people. He knows what a disciple is thinking even before he meets him. He knows about the Samaritan woman's life without her telling him. These are things only God can do.

What Pleases God?

As you read the Bible, keep this question in mind: What pleases God?

I had not thought about it before, but this seems like an important question. So I invite you to start reading your Bible, and keep this question in mind. What is it that pleases God?

Yes, there are many things that make God happy. But, what pleases Him the most. When He looks down on us, what is it about us, or that we are doing, that would please Him the most?

This question has been in my mind so much that I thought we'd do a survey and find out what you think. If you have a few moments, tell us what you think pleases God the most. You'll find a link to the survey page in the upper right corner of our home page.

Psalm 19:1-4

"The heavens tell of the glory of God.
The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make Him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is silent in the skies;
yet their message has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to all the world."