Did Jesus Ever Claim to be God?

Did Jesus ever claim to be God?

Jesus asked His disciples “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)Mormons answer this question by saying that Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer. Jehovah's Witnesses say that He is the archangel Michael. Muslims say that Jesus was a simply a prophet. Secular people say Jesus is a messenger, or good teacher.But what did Jesus say that He was?He fully claimed to be God, with two little words. 

Two powerful words to confirm Jesus' deity.

“I Am.”These are two powerful words with an ancient history.In Exodus 3:13-14, the God of the Old Testament revealed that His name was “I AM”. It's a personal name for God, the one that He preferred Moses to know Him by.These words are sacred to the Jewish people, and so when Jesus of Nazareth said “before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58), the Jewish leaders picked up stones to kill Him, right there on the spot.Jesus Christ was claiming to be the great I AM and they understood that enough to attempt to kill Him for what they supposed to be blasphemy.But throughout the Scriptures, it's clear that Jesus meets the Old Testament prophecies. In fact, He met 300+ prophecies perfectly.1 person fulfilling 8 prophecies: 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,0001 person fulfilling 48 prophecies: 1 chance in 10 to the 157th powerAnd 1 person fulfilling 300+ prophecies: Mathematically impossible. Only Jesus could fulfill all of the Old Testament prophecies.

Here's some of those prophecies.

Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1)He would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23)Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey in a Kingly procession. (Zechariah 9:9, John 12:15)He would be rejected and despised by His own people. (Isaiah 53:3, John 12:37-38)Jesus would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:12-13, Matthew 26:14-16)Jesus would be crucified, but they wouldn't break his bones. (Psalm 22:14-16, John 19:31-37)The soldiers would cast lots for His clothes. (Psalm 22:17-18, John 19:23)Finally, Jesus would be raised from the dead. (Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:27-31) 

In the New Testament, He did things that only God could do.

Jesus healed blindness, along with every disease and affliction. (Matthew 4:23)Jesus had control over the forces of nature. (Mark 4:39)He expelled demons from His children. (Luke 4:35)He raised a man from the dead. (John 11:43-44)He never sinned. (John 8:46, Hebrews 4:15) 

Jesus is God, and He is worth praising.

His name is great. And good. At His name, every knee with bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.“God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).Your redemption and salvation was planned in God the Son before the foundation of the world. Isn't that an amazing and praiseworthy thought?“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” (Ephesians 1:4 NLT)This Christmas, be confident in the fact that Jesus Christ is indeed the prophesied and awaited King and Sacrifice that was planned before the foundation of the world.He is worth celebrating this season, and all seasons.Read the next in this series: What Does It Mean that Christ is "The Word"? Names of Christ Advent Series  This is the first in the series of the Names of Christ. Check out the rest of the series and their authors here (links will be updated as they publish) I Am by Christ-Centered MamaThe Word by Lauren GaskillLight of the World by Dawn KlingeWonderful Counselor by Jessie of One Lost CoinBread of Life by Darlene of Time Warp WifeWay, Truth, Life by Sara of The Holy MessGood Shepherd by Amber of Through Hope's DoorMediator by Heather of Compared To Who?Prince of Peace by Rachael GilbertResurrection by Traci of Traces of FaithEmmanuel by Amaris of She is ReclaimedAlpha and Omega by Carmen of Married By His Grace 

What about you?

Have you ever been questioned on the deity of Christ? If so, what was your response? How do you celebrate Christ's deity?