Episode Notes:

Key Takeaways:

Jesus didn't leave room for us to call him just a good teacher.
The earliest documents we have show Jesus making divine claims.
Jesus' followers worshiped him as God from the very beginning—and they were Jews who knew better.

Scripture References:

Mark 2 - Jesus forgives sins (authority that belongs only to God)
John 8:58 - "Before Abraham was, I am" (claiming the divine name)
John 10:30 - "I and the Father are one"
John 8:24 - "Unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins"
Philippians 2:6-11 - Early Christian hymn affirming Jesus' divinity
John 20:28 - Thomas declares "My Lord and my God"

Quotes: "A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with a man who says he's a poached egg—or he would be the devil of hell." - C.S. Lewis

Historical Context:

Gospel of Mark: written ~65-70 AD (within 35 years of Jesus' death)
Paul's letters: 1 Corinthians written ~53-55 AD (20-25 years after Jesus)
Philippians 2 hymn: possibly from the 40s AD (within 10-15 years)

This Week's Question to Consider: If Jesus is who he claimed to be, what does that mean for your life today?

Next Week: If Jesus is God, why did he pray?

Connect with Pastor John-Connections Pastor Saint Mark Church - Little Rock, Arkansas

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