Who Is Jesus Christ?
Jesus is not merely someone to admire or study; He is the beloved Son of God we must come to, trust, listen to, love, obey, honor, call upon, and follow.
On This Lesson
Prepare for This Lesson Purpose, learning goals, key Scriptures, and preparation
What You Will Learn
- Why the Scriptures exist to testify about Jesus, and what it means to search them to find Him
- How Jesus is the Word made flesh, through whom God has fully made Himself known
- How the Son is revealed together with the one true God, distinguished but not divided from the Father
- Why all things were created through the Son, and why He cannot be counted among created things
- How the New Testament reveals the Son sharing in Yahweh's own work, glory, and eternal life
- Why Jesus is not only someone to know about, but the One we must come to, trust, and follow
Key Scriptures
- John 1:1–3, 14
- John 5:39; Luke 24:27
- Colossians 1:15–17
- Hebrews 1:1–3, 8, 10–11
- John 14:6, 9; John 17:24
- Matthew 17:5; Revelation 22:13
Part 1
Scripture, the Word, and Creation
1. Jesus Is the One the Scriptures Point To
Jesus said:
"It is those very Scriptures that testify about Me."John 5:39
"Beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself."Luke 24:27
The prophets also testified beforehand about Christ:
"The sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow."1 Peter 1:11
2. Jesus Is the Word Made Flesh
The Bible begins with God creating:
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."Genesis 1:1
In Hebrew, the word translated "God" is Elohim. It is plural in form, yet the verb "created" is singular. Scripture is not teaching many gods. It shows the one true God acting in creation, while leaving a depth and mystery that becomes clearer as the Son is revealed.
Then God creates by speaking:
"Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light."Genesis 1:3
Again and again in Genesis 1 we read, "God said" (Genesis 1:6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26). God speaks, and His will is done. The Psalms say:
"By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made."Psalm 33:6
Scripture then reveals who this Word is:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God."John 1:1
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us."John 1:14
This means Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh. In Jesus, God has made Himself known to us. He did not merely send a message. He sent His Son.
"God… in these last days has spoken to us in His Son… through whom He also made the world."Hebrews 1:1–2
Scripture later shows the risen and victorious Christ still bearing this name:
"His name is called The Word of God."Revelation 19:13
3. The Son Is Revealed With the One True God
Scripture is clear that there is one true God. Israel's central confession, known as the Shema, says:
"Hear, Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one!"Deuteronomy 6:4
Scripture also says:
"There is no god besides Me; it is I who put to death and give life."Deuteronomy 32:39
"I am Yahweh, and there is no one else; there is no God except Me."Isaiah 45:5
The New Testament does not replace this confession. It does not reveal Jesus as another god beside the Father. It reveals the Son together with the Father in the word, work, life, and glory of the one true God.
4. All Things Were Created Through the Son
Scripture explains clearly how creation relates to the Son:
"All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being."John 1:3
If all created things came into being through Him, then He Himself cannot be counted among the things that came into being. He is the One through whom created things came to exist. Scripture expresses the order beautifully:
"For us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things… and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him."1 Corinthians 8:6
The Father is the source of all things. The Son is the One through whom all things were made. This shows distinction, not separation: creation is from the Father and through the Son. Paul also says:
"By Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible… all things have been created through Him and for Him."Colossians 1:16
"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."Colossians 1:17
Hebrews says that the Son:
"Upholds all things by the word of His power."Hebrews 1:3
5. The Son Is Revealed in Yahweh's Work as Creator
The Old Testament says that Yahweh created all things. Isaiah records Yahweh saying:
"I, Yahweh, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself and spreading out the earth — who was with Me?"Isaiah 44:24
The New Testament reveals the Son in this same divine work. Hebrews applies to the Son words originally spoken about God in the Psalms:
"You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands." "They will perish, but You remain."Hebrews 1:10–11
This comes from Psalm 102, where the words are spoken of Yahweh as Creator:
"In time of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands."Psalm 102:25
The Old Testament says Yahweh created all things and asks, "Who was with Me?" The New Testament reveals the Son as the One through whom all things were made. This does not divide God into two gods. It shows that the Son is revealed with the Father in God's own creative work and purpose.
Part 2
The Son's Glory and Eternal Life
6. Jesus Shares the Father's Glory
Scripture also shows the glory of God revealed in the Son. Hebrews applies Psalm 45 to the Son:
"Your throne, God, is forever and ever."Hebrews 1:8
Creation changes and passes away. But the Son remains. His throne endures. This is why the promised Son can be described with divine titles:
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."Isaiah 9:6
Jeremiah uses similar language of Yahweh:
"The great, the mighty God, Yahweh of armies is His name."Jeremiah 32:18
The coming of Jesus is also described as:
"Immanuel," which means, "God with us."Matthew 1:23
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus using Isaiah's words about preparing the way of Yahweh:
"Make straight the way of the Lord."John 1:23
"Clear the way for Yahweh in the wilderness; make straight in the desert a highway for our God."Isaiah 40:3
Scripture also calls Jesus:
"The Lord of glory."1 Corinthians 2:8
Psalm 24 asks:
"Who is this King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty… Yahweh of armies, He is the King of glory."Psalm 24:8–10
7. Jesus Is Supreme Over Creation, Not Part of Creation
Scripture calls Jesus:
"The firstborn of all creation."Colossians 1:15
In this context, the Greek word prōtotokos does not mean "first created," but points to Christ's rank, supremacy, and inheritance. This is how it is used elsewhere in Scripture: "Israel is My son, My firstborn" (Exodus 4:22), and "I also shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth" (Psalm 89:27). In both cases, "firstborn" refers to status and authority, not being first created. Colossians itself explains the meaning: Jesus has supremacy over creation because all things were created through Him.
Revelation also calls Jesus:
"The Beginning of the creation of God."Revelation 3:14
The Greek word is archē, which can mean beginning, origin, source, or ruler. In harmony with John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16, this does not mean Jesus is a created being. It means He is the origin and ruler of God's creation.
8. Jesus Is the Unique Son Loved by the Father Before Creation
God is not needy or incomplete. He did not create because He lacked love, life, or companionship. Paul says:
"Nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything."Acts 17:25
And Jesus prayed to the Father:
"You loved Me before the foundation of the world."John 17:24
This is a holy mystery. Before creation, God was not lonely. The Father loved the Son before the world existed. The Father said:
"This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."Matthew 3:17
"This is My beloved Son… listen to Him!"Matthew 17:5
Jesus Himself said:
"I came forth from the Father and have come into the world."John 16:28
Scripture also says:
"To which of the angels did He ever say, 'You are My Son'?"Hebrews 1:5
9. Jesus Is the Perfect Revelation of the Father
Jesus reveals the Father perfectly:
"The one who has seen Me has seen the Father."John 14:9
"No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son… He has explained Him."John 1:18
"He is the image of the invisible God."Colossians 1:15
Scripture also says:
"In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form."Colossians 2:9
This does not say that part of God's fullness dwells in Christ. It says all the fullness of Deity dwells in Him bodily. If we want to know what the Father is like, we look at Jesus. He is not the Father Himself, but He reveals the Father perfectly. Jesus brings us to the Father:
"No one comes to the Father except through Me."John 14:6
10. Jesus Shares in God's Eternal Life
Jesus said:
"Before Abraham was born, I am."John 8:58
This echoes God's revelation to Moses:
"I AM WHO I AM."Exodus 3:14
Jesus also says:
"I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead."Revelation 1:17–18
Isaiah records Yahweh saying:
"I am He, I am the first, I am also the last. Surely My hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens."Isaiah 48:12–13
Jesus also says:
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."Revelation 22:13
Revelation also uses "Alpha and Omega" for the Lord God:
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God.Revelation 1:8
"My Lord and my God!" — John 20:28
Part 3
Savior, Lord, Spirit, Worship, and Following
11. Jesus Is Savior and Life
Jesus saves us from our sins:
"You shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."Matthew 1:21
"There is salvation in no one else."Acts 4:12
Eternal life is found in Him:
"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who has the Son has the life."1 John 5:11–12
12. Jesus Is Head and Lord of His People
Jesus leads and rules His people:
"He is also head of the body, the church."Colossians 1:18
Because Jesus is the living Head of His people, believers do not treat Him as distant or absent. They belong to Him, trust Him, call upon Him, and follow Him as Lord. Believers have expressed this trust and dependence on Him in prayer and longing:
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"Acts 7:59
"Maranatha."1 Corinthians 16:22
"Come, Lord Jesus."Revelation 22:20
This does not replace prayer to the Father. The ordinary pattern of Christian prayer is to the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself teaches us to pray in His name:
"Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."John 14:13
"If you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you."John 16:23
13. Jesus Is High Priest, King, and Judge
Jesus intercedes for us:
"We have a great high priest… Jesus the Son of God."Hebrews 4:14
"He always lives to make intercession for them."Hebrews 7:25
He reigns as King:
"King of kings, and Lord of lords."Revelation 19:16
He searches hearts:
"I am He who searches the minds and hearts."Revelation 2:23
The Father has given judgment to the Son:
"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son."John 5:22
14. Jesus Is the One Who Sends the Holy Spirit
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit:
"Whom I will send to you from the Father…"John 15:26
"Having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this."Acts 2:33
"He who has the seven Spirits of God…"Revelation 3:1
In Revelation's symbolic language, this points to the fullness of the Spirit belonging to Christ. The Spirit glorifies Him:
"He will glorify Me."John 16:14
15. Jesus Is Honored and Worshiped With the Father
Jesus is honored and worshiped as the Son who shares in the Father's glory:
"All will honor the Son just as they honor the Father."John 5:23
"They… worshiped Him."Matthew 28:9
"Let all the angels of God worship Him."Hebrews 1:6
The Son is not given lesser honor. He is honored just as the Father is honored. And when the Son is honored, the Father is glorified. In heaven, worship is given to God and to the Lamb together:
"To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."Revelation 5:13
Scripture also shows that the confession of Jesus as Lord is universal, yet it is not separated from the Father's glory:
"At the name of Jesus every knee will bow… and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."Philippians 2:10–11
16. Jesus Is the One We Must Follow
Jesus does not only reveal truth. He calls us to Himself. He said:
"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"Luke 6:46
"Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."Matthew 11:28
Key Truth
The Scriptures point to Jesus Christ.
He is the Word made flesh, the unique Son of God, loved by the Father before the foundation of the world.
The Father is the source of all things, and the Son is the One through whom all things were made.
The Son is not part of creation.
He shares in God's own word, work, life, glory, honor, and divine fullness.
He reveals the Father perfectly and brings us to Him.
He is Savior, Life, Head, Lord, High Priest, King, Judge, and the One who sends the Holy Spirit.
The Father and the Son are distinguished, but not divided.
The Son is honored with the Father, and the Father is glorified through the Son.
Therefore, Jesus is not only someone to admire or study.
He is the One we must come to, trust, listen to, love, obey, honor, call upon, and follow.
"Listen to Him!"
— Matthew 17:5
Check Your Understanding
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Multiple choice: According to John 1:1–3 and John 1:14, the Word (Jesus) was with God in the beginning and:
Show suggested answer
B. John 1:1–3 says the Word was with God, and "all things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being." The Word became flesh (John 1:14) — He is not a created being but the One through whom creation came.
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True or false: Calling Jesus "the firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15) means He was the first thing God created.
Show suggested answer
False. In biblical usage, "firstborn" points to rank, supremacy, and inheritance — not being first created (compare Exodus 4:22; Psalm 89:27). Colossians itself explains the meaning in the next verse: "By Him all things were created." A creator cannot be part of His own creation.
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Scripture connection: In John 8:58, Jesus says "Before Abraham was born, I am." What earlier Scripture does this echo, and what does it show about Jesus?
Show suggested answer
It echoes God's words to Moses in Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM." Jesus is claiming to share in God's own eternal life and identity — not merely to have existed a long time, but to share in the eternal "I AM."
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In your own words: Why does Scripture describe the Father and the Son as "distinguished, but not divided"?
Show suggested answer
Scripture insists there is one true God (Deuteronomy 6:4), yet reveals the Son sharing fully in the Father's word, work, life, and glory (John 1:1–3; Hebrews 1). The Father and Son are not the same Person, but the Son is not a separate or lesser god beside the Father — He is revealed together with the Father in the identity of the one true God.
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Personal response: The Father said, "This is My beloved Son… listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5). What does it mean for you, personally, to listen to Jesus?
Show suggested answer
There is no single correct answer. This question invites honest reflection: Am I bringing my questions, doubts, and decisions to Jesus and His word? Listening to Him means more than hearing — it means trusting His voice above all others.
Review
- Why do the Scriptures exist, according to Jesus in John 5:39 and Luke 24:27?
- What does it mean that "the Word became flesh" (John 1:14)?
- How does Colossians 1:16–17 describe the relationship between the Son and all creation?
- What does it mean that the Father loved the Son "before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24)?
- Name three ways Scripture shows Jesus sharing in the Father's own work, glory, or eternal life.
Reflection Questions
- What did Jesus mean when He said the Scriptures testify about Him? How does this change the way you read the Old Testament?
- Why is it important that Jesus is not part of creation, but the One through whom creation came into being?
- What does Jesus reveal about the Father? What does this tell us about what God is like?
- What does it mean personally to "listen to Him" — as the Father commanded at the transfiguration?
- Is there any area of your life where you call Jesus "Lord" but still need to trust His word more fully and obey more sincerely?
After This Lesson
Read John 1:1–18 slowly and write one sentence beginning: "Jesus is…"
Before moving on, pause. Pray. Ask the Father, in the name of Jesus, to make these truths alive in your heart — not as religious information, but as the foundation of a life that truly knows, loves, and follows Jesus Christ.
"Father, open my eyes to see who Jesus truly is."