Lesson 1: His Identity in Scripture

John 1:1–5, 1:14 and 5:31–47 offer two of the clearest pictures of Jesus’ identity found in the Bible. In chapter one, John wrote that in the beginning the world was created through Jesus. John’s main emphasis, however, was on Jesus’ incarnation. Jesus was God in the flesh, both fully human and fully God. Without the incarnation of Jesus, the rest of His story would not make sense. That may be why John began his Gospel by explaining the incarnation.

In John 5, Jesus claimed that the Scriptures testify about Him. Jesus asserted that if the Jews had truly understood the Scriptures they would have recognized His identity. Although the Jews knew Scripture pointed to the coming messiah, they didn’t believe Jesus was that person. Even the Law of Moses, which the Jews held in high regard, pointed to Jesus as Messiah. Still, the Jews did not accept that testimony. Jesus, therefore, noted that Moses himself would condemn them before God.

Many New Testament writings reveal that Jesus was more than just a man. Paul said all the fullness of God dwelled within Jesus. He also said God reconciled all things to Himself through the work of Jesus (Col. 1:19–20). In Philippians, Paul wrote that even though Jesus was God, He submitted Himself to God’s will and became a servant (Phil. 2:5–11). By doing so, He provided a way for all people to become right with God and experience eternal life.

This study is important for students because many of them may not fully understand that Jesus is God and Savior. Students will be introduced to this truth in John 1:1–5. John taught that Jesus existed from the beginning of time. He made all things. He was the life that became the light of the world. Students hear the name of Jesus used in many ways, and most of them have a positive regard for Him. However, many students fail to understand that Jesus is the central figure of history.

Other key truths addressed in this lesson include Salvation is by Faith Alone and The Bible is God's Word.

John 1:1–2 The opening words of John’s Gospel, “In the beginning,” are the same words used in Genesis 1:1. John emphasized that Jesus was an active participant (along with the Father and the Holy Spirit) in the creation of the world.

In John’s time, the Gnostics were a heretical group that tried to influence the Church and its teachings. Most Gnostics believed anything in the physical realm was evil, whereas anything in the spiritual realm was good. Many denied the deity of Christ, saying He was simply a part of creation like everything else. On the other hand, some Gnostics believed Jesus was truly God but denied He was also human. Like many cults today, they also taught that certain people received a secret knowledge that placed them on a higher spiritual plane. For the Gnostics, this knowledge—the Greek word gnosis means “knowledge”—was superior to faith.

Against this background, John told his readers that Jesus is the Word. No other Gospel uses this term, which in Greek is logos. John used this common word to emphasize that Jesus, the Word, was with God before creation came into being and is also the one true God.

John emphasized Jesus’ intimacy and equality with the Father. But John presented Jesus as having a separate identity from God. The Bible presents God as three distinct Persons with different roles. Even with this diversity, the three Persons of the Trinity are one in unity and equality.

John 1:3 John’s words were similar to those used by Paul, who also emphasized that “all things were created” by Jesus (Col. 1:16). Some Gnostics taught that God used several inferior divine beings to carry out the creation (which explained to them the problem of evil in the world). John countered this teaching by emphasizing that “nothing was made” except through Jesus. Everything in creation owes its existence to Jesus.

John 1:4 Throughout John’s Gospel, John placed great emphasis on “life.” We usually relate this word to physical life. But it is more than a physical existence. The word life can also refer to a relationship with God that only some people experience. This kind of spiritual life is found in Jesus. This life is what John referred to when he stated his purpose for writing: so people might believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and in so doing “have life in his name” (Jn. 20:31).

John connected the ideas of life and light in verse four. The reality of sin in the world keeps humanity in darkness. As God enlightens us about salvation, we can experience the eternal, abundant life God planned for us.

John 1:5 Since the beginning of human history, God has provided an awareness of Himself through creation. Paul wrote, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen” (Rom. 1:20). Obviously this only allows people to know God in a limited way. Still, it points to the existence of God.

God had been revealing Himself by shining light in the darkness since the beginning of creation. Yet because of the presence of sin in the world, people resisted God’s revelation. Imagine a man who lives in darkness and who, even when given a light, chooses to remain in the dark.

John 1:14 God’s plan was to bring life to humanity through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus became human. He took the form of flesh and bone. John did not elaborate on the details of the Word becoming flesh, but the Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide the story of Jesus’ miraculous conception and birth to a virgin.

Jesus took on human flesh and came to earth to “make His dwelling" among us. He did not cease to be God. Of course, He had certain limitations because of His humanity. Even so, He was as much God as He was human; He was fully God and fully man.

John’s emphasis on the glory of God recalls how the Lord appeared in the form of a cloud in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) and later in the Temple (1 Kgs. 8:10). Though God’s glory was awesome in the form of a cloud, it was more incredible in the form of a man—the God-man, Jesus Christ.

John 5:31–32 Jesus was God even though the Jewish leaders refused to believe Him. Still, in the first century, for Jesus to testify on His own behalf was the same as a defendant serving as his own eyewitness in a trial—it was not considered a valid testimony. Yet Jesus stated that another, most likely God the Father, could offer testimony about Him.

John 5:33–35 In addition to the Father’s testimony, John the Baptist also bore witness about Jesus. When the Jewish leaders questioned John about his own identity, John testified about Jesus as the Son of God (Jn. 1:19–34). Despite John’s statement, Jesus did not depend on the testimony of human beings to confirm His identity. Jesus did say, however, that if the Jewish leaders had believed John’s testimony, they would have believed in Jesus and been saved.

John 5:36–40 A greater testimony about Jesus was offered by His work. This could refer to the miracles He performed. Nicodemus affirmed these as evidence God had sent Jesus (Jn. 3:2). It could also refer to His teaching. God had given Jesus works to do that would identify Him as Messiah. Because of that, the Father had testified concerning Jesus.

At Jesus’ baptism God said, “You are my Son” (Lk. 3:22) and sent the Holy Spirit as further evidence. The Jewish leaders who confronted Jesus, however, had never heard the voice of God nor “seen His form.” While they had heard His Word through Moses and the prophets, these religious leaders refused to believe God’s revelation of Himself in Jesus.

Jesus mentioned that the Jewish leaders were diligent in their study of the Scriptures. They believed Scripture would point them to eternal life. Yet they missed God’s message: the messiah was coming and would give eternal life to those who placed their faith in Him. This is the witness of the Old Testament. By refusing to see it, the Jewish leaders would not experience the eternal life they wanted.

John 5:41–44 Jesus did not need the approval of humans, particularly the religious leaders, to carry out the ministry the Father had given Him. He had the Father’s approval, which is infinitely superior. Jesus knew what the religious leaders were really like because of His perfect insight into the hearts of men (Jn. 2:25). Jesus could tell that the religious leaders did not really love God.

Despite God’s affirmation of Jesus, the religious leaders did not believe He was Messiah. Yet as Jesus pointed out, they had no trouble believing in false teachers or false messiahs who came in their “own name.” Jesus said the reason they refused to believe in Him was that they sought honor from each other rather than from God. They were interested only in themselves and what they could receive.

John 5:45–47 Jesus stated that He did not have to be the one who accused them in front of God because of their unbelief. Their condemnation would come from Moses, to whom God had given the Law they held in such high esteem. Though they claimed to be “disciples of Moses” (Jn. 9:28), they ignored the testimony about Jesus found in the books of the Law Moses had written (Gen. 49:10, Num. 24:17, Dt. 18:15).

To address this inconsistency, Jesus later told a parable about a rich man who was sent to hell. The rich man was concerned that his brothers would miss out on eternal life. Abraham told him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (Lk. 16:31).

The Word (Jesus) brought light to humanity. He is the revelation of who God is and how God wants people to relate to Him. Throughout history, people have sought enlightenment to improve their quality of life. Some have found it through faith in Jesus Christ, while others have refused to believe in the One who shines in the darkness. How has Jesus Christ opened your eyes to see clearly who God is and how He wants to relate to you?

Jesus not only created life, but He also gives life to those who trust and accept Him. This type of life is more than mere existence. It refers to spiritual life: knowing God and experiencing His power to transform your heart. What could you say to a student who is dissatisfied with life and is seeking meaning?

Jesus is the central unifying figure of the Bible. Yet throughout history, many people who have studied the Bible (such as the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day) have missed its testimony concerning Jesus. The whole biblical witness points to the fact that Jesus came to earth as the Son of God to provide light about God’s plan for salvation. Through Jesus, God offers eternal life to those who will believe in Him. Throughout the Christ series, be alert to the opportunities to present Jesus as Lord and Savior to your students.