Divinity of Christ (3)

John 14:8-11, 1 John 5:20; Revelation 1:8

John 14:8-11
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

1 John 5:20
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Revelation 1:8

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” .

Notes

The first two sermons in this series established that Jesus Christ is God. This third sermon continues that same theme. The first sermon focused on the prologue of John’s Gospel. The second examined three key dialogues within John’s Gospel. This third sermon will explore one additional dialogue from John’s Gospel, a passage from one of the epistles, and a scene from the book of Revelation to demonstrate further that Jesus Christ is truly God.

1. Show Us the Father

   Philip made his request known: “Lord, show us the Father.” The Lord Jesus did not express rejection but answered with a profound declaration, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” If Philip was desiring a burning bush experience like Moses or a temple experience like Isaiah, he misunderstood. Jesus, Godincarnate, was fellowshipping with him and the other disciples.

   
   8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves (John 14:8-11).

   
   Gems in the text

   1. The Lord Jesus Christ is not just a representative of God but the visible expression of the invisible God. Thus, to experience Christ is to experience the Father; to believe in Christ is to believe in the Father.

   2. Jesus claims equality and intimacy with the Father; they are one in essence, though distinct in persons.

   3. The believer believes both the words and works of the Father and Son.

2. True God and Eternal Life

   John, the apostle, made an emphatic statement about the divinity of Jesus Christ. He made it clear that Jesus came to reveal the one who is true, the Father. The word true is more than one who tells the truth, but the genuine as compared to idols that are not true. But the apostle also referred to the Son as true. Moreover, the Son Jesus Christ is the true God who is also called eternal life. Eternal life is attributed both to the Father and Son.

   20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20).
   

   Gems in the text

   1. The role of the Son includes making the Father known. Without Him, it is impossible to know the Father.

   2. The context and Greek grammar point to the Son as the subject of “He is the true God.” This is a direct affirmation of Christ’s deity.

   3. The Father and the Son share divine titles, such as true God and eternal life, and both are attributed to the Father and the Son. Thus, they are one in essence.

3. Alpha, Omega, and Almighty

   In the book of Revelation, John recorded a vision in which Jesus claimed to be the Alpha and the Omega. The title belongs to YHWH as revealed in Isaiah 44:6 and 48:12. Moreover, Jesus also identified Himself as the Almighty, another divine title used exclusively of YHWH in the Old Testament.
   

   8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8).

   6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god (Isaiah 44:6).

   Gems in the text

   1. The titles Alpha and Omega, First and Last, and Beginning and End signify absolute sovereignty over time, history, and existence.

   2. The name Almighty (Pantokratōr) in Scripture is exclusively used for YHWH, denoting supreme, all-encompassing power. The Septuagint (Greek OT) used Almighty (Pantokratōr) to YHWH. Thus, Christ has sovereignty over all creatures down to the last molecule.

   3. Jesus is not a subordinate or lesser being. He shares the same divine essence, though He is a distinct person within the Trinity. This upholds the biblical truth that the Father and the Son are one God.
   

   Application:

   1. Believe in the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

   2. Proclaim the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

   3. Defend the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why does Jesus rebuke Philip's request to "show us the Father"? What does this reveal about his understanding of Jesus' identity?

2. How does 1 John 5:20 affirm both the deity of Christ and His role in revealing the Father?

3. How do the titles “Alpha and Omega” and “First and Last” communicate Jesus’ divine nature and eternal sovereignty?