The saviour Jesus his godly side

The divine side of Jesus

Jesus his descent from the Father meant that he had a keen eye for what was permissible and what was not, for what is good and what is bad. Things we might even have not  recognized as sin where clearly seen as such by him. That did not mean that the struggle thus became easier, but more clearly. He, however, having God’s character or a godly nature also meant that he saw his fellow man with the eyes of God. He could have been deeply moved by the suffering that carry the sick, but also violently outraged by insincerity or sanctimoniously and hypocrisy. He could feel compassion with a sinner who was “deceived by sin,” but fierce invective against religious leaders who misled the people entrusted to them and who were just out for self-interest or pride and self-righteousness. In these things he was perfectly one with his Father:

“I and the Father are one.””
(John 10:30 CSB17)

Jesus did not pray to himself but to his heavenly Father the Only One True God of gods – Sperindio Cagnola, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist kneeling and praying to God the Father (detail of the Last Judgement), 1514 -24, Paruzzaro, San Marcello Church (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These words we should not so understand that he and his Father are one of a being or one in essence, as is so often claimed. What he would say is that he and the Father are of one mind and one aim. Likewise, those who are “in him” (like we have to be one with Christ) are mutually of one mind and one aim, and one with Jesus, as we read in that same Gospel of John, where Jesus reminds his Father that He asked them to be one as they are.

“I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one.
…

I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one.”
(John 17:11, 22 CSB17)

Because he showed in this way God’s character to the people he could say:

“Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
(John 14:9 CSB17)

It was through that character that he could muster the strength to resist the temptation to sin. God can not be tempted and can not sin, but Jesus could be and was more than once tempted. Jesus also could sin but did not. He always managed to do God his will, putting his own will aside.

Because he always performed God’s will entirely he also is called by the title “god”. This indicates not its essence, but if it were his job. As those who were carrying at the time of the Old Testament laws of God “gods” were:

“Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, I said, you are gods? If he called those whom the word of God came to ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken—”
(John 10:34–35 CSB17)

Also remember that highly placed persons, like Pharaoh, where also called ‘god’. Even today people in the picture, becoming an idol of their fans are often called a god by their fans.

The passage in which Jesus refers in the above Bible quote is Psalm 82: 6, but it also strikes back on that kind of passages like the ones talking about cases of embezzlement which will come to the gods, it being said that he who condemn the gods will give his neighbour pay double.

“In any case of wrongdoing involving an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything else lost, and someone claims, ‘That’s mine,’ the case between the two parties is to come before the judges. The one the judges condemn must repay double to his neighbor.”
(Exodus 22:9 CSB17)

And

““You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people.”
(Exodus 22:28 CSB17)

Which quotes the apostle Paul as:

““I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest,” replied Paul. “For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.””
(Acts 23:5 CSB17)

Likewise Jesus was equipped with God’s mind, the one who carried out the work of God and therefore should bear his name, especially after his victory on the stake. The title ‘god’ is in the Bible therefore only granted after his victory over sin and his glorification (and altogether only three or four times, while the word “God” the remaining 1300 occurrences in the NT, refers to the Father Himself).

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Preceding articles

Not about personal salvation but about a bigger Plan

Redemption #2 Biblical solution

2020 years ago, the road was opened

Dutch version: De Verlosser 2 Zijn goddelijke kant

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Additional reading

1. On the Nature of Christ
2. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #10 Prayer #8 Condition
3. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #14 Prayer #12 The other name
4. An anarchistic reading of the Bible (2)—Creation and what follows
5. The faithful God
6. God’s wisdom for the believer brings peace
7. Maintaining unity of Spirit in the bond of peace becoming one with God
8. First mention of a solution against death 6 Authority given to the send one from God coming out of the woman
9. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian
10. Being Religious and Spiritual 7 Transcendence to become one
11. Being Religious and Spiritual 8 Spiritual, Mystic and not or well religious
12. Denominationalism exists because?
13. Mental Enslavement and Sins Syndrome (MESS)
14. Getting out of the dark corners of this world
15. Christians remaining hidden not sharing the gospel
16. Wanting to live in Christ’s city
17. How long to wait before bringing religiousness and spirituality in practice
18. Looking for True Spirituality 3 Mind of Christ
19. A New Year and a New Person
20. Not following the tradition of man
21. Consider your own journey in life
22. A Living Faith #9 Our Manner of Life
23. Through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe

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Further reading

1. The Source
2. Becoming One With God: Salvation
3. One with God
4. “That They May Be One”
5. No Longer Sleeping
6. The Highest Aim
7. Experiencing God Inside, Outside
8. Anatomy of Temptation and God’s Response
9. Shared Accommodation
10. Living Is The Divine
11. Could I Ask For Anything More?
12. Our Delusions About Everything
13. We hear ye Him
14. Are We the Sense Organs of God?
15. You are “God”
16. Higher Energies
17. The seed
18. Daily Word of Encouragement: Prayer
19. Inseparable – Justification and Sanctification
20. Minding Matters
21. The Revelation of Jesus Christ
22. In The Son

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Related articles

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• Gospel-Centered Reading of Psalms
• The Octave of Christmas: And the Word became flesh. Catholic Inspiration
• Aren’t you just a bit curious about what John had to say? John 1:19-20
• 14.2 John – Blind Sheep
• Sunday reflection: John 1:29-34
• Beloved of God
• Discover our true selves
• Being holy

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