“Those who knew Jesus the best truly believed He was God.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 14, 2025
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Luke 7:49
Have you ever thought about how you would react if someone told you they could fly? You would probably consider three possibilities: either they are lying to you, they genuinely believe it but are delusional, or—as unlikely as it seems—they are telling the truth and can actually fly. This reminds me of how people have grappled with Jesus’s extraordinary claims throughout history. He did not just share wise teachings—He made profound statements about being God in human form, having the power to forgive sins, and being the only path to eternal life. Just like our hypothetical flying person, these claims leave us with three possibilities to ponder.
First, He could have been deliberately deceiving everyone. But this raises an interesting question: why would someone maintain such a deception even in the face of death? Then there’s the possibility that He sincerely believed these things but was delusional. Yet when you look at His teachings, they show remarkable clarity and wisdom that seems inconsistent with someone who’s mentally ill. The third possibility is that He was exactly who He claimed to be—Lord—and supported these claims through miracles, fulfilled prophecies, and His resurrection.
Examining how different individuals in the Bible responded to Jesus is fascinating. The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, were convinced He was a liar. They accused Him of performing miracles through demonic power and claimed He was misleading the people. Their conviction was so intense that they ultimately plotted His death. Even Jesus’s own family initially struggled with His claims. There’s a poignant moment in Mark where they attempted to take Him away, stating, “He is out of his mind.” His hometown neighbors were also skeptical, essentially asking, “Isn’t this just the carpenter’s son?” However, some eventually recognized Him as Lord. Peter’s declaration, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” stands out. Consider the Roman centurion at the cross, who concluded that Jesus was God’s Son, or Thomas’s transformation from doubter to believer upon encountering the risen Christ. Martha’s strong affirmation of faith is particularly moving: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Those who knew Jesus the best truly believed He was God.
When you really think about it, Jesus’s claims don’t leave much middle ground. He must have been either history’s greatest deceiver, profoundly delusional, or exactly who He said He was—Lord of all. In our opening scripture, one of Jesus’ gifts as Savior and Lord of your life is to forgive your sins. Have you surrendered to Jesus by grace through faith? As the Word teaches, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Prayer
Here is a prayer of salvation for you to pray:
Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to you and trust you totally as the Lord and Savior of my life. I invite you into my life to reign over my thoughts, actions and words. Thank you for saving me and giving me your abundant life. In Your name, I pray, Amen.
Application
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, consider inviting Him into your life in an intimate love relationship.
Related Reading
John 3:36, 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5; Colossians 1:19-20
Worship Resource
Ellie Holcomb: Where Can I Go- Psalm 139
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