“I am the Son of God.”

-John 10:36

 

In this window, we see Jesus in two different encounters with Nicodemus and with Mary and Martha. In both scenes Jesus is revealed to be more than just a human being, more than just a great teacher, and more than just a moral example. Jesus is the Son of God.

 

In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus with one definition: “We know that you are a teacher who has come from God.” He leaves with another: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

In John 10, the Jewish leaders want to stone Jesus and he responds: “Can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son?’” The leaders thought that Jesus was confessing to be God’s Son and they thought it was blasphemous enough for death! Jesus tells them to look at the works – what do they see? “If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

In John 11, Jesus visits Mary and Martha. Martha confesses, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” In the midst of her brother’s death, Martha is able to make this amazing proclamation of faith and trust in Jesus. Then Mary and Martha both witness the power of Jesus to bring new life as he raises their brother Lazarus from the grave.

A mere human being? No. Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord, and the giver of eternal life. Amazing! Amen.