Is the Divinity of Jesus important?
By Michael
A. H. Back
In John, chapter 8, Jesus
clearly and plainly calls Himself, "I Am," three times
(8:24, 8:28, and 8:58). Some translations miss the effect and power
of these
statements by translating
the phrase "I am he" or "I am who I claim I am."
The Greek simply says "I am," and it is a direct reference
to how God identified Himself to Moses in Exodus. Jesus blatantly and
forcefully claims to BE that same God who spoke to Moses ("Before
Abraham was, I AM!") and further, He makes the belief that He
is God absolutely necessary for salvation ("Unless you believe
that I AM, you will die in your sins,").
So according to Jesus,
believing His deity is not optional, it is
NECESSARY for salvation.
The surrounding Jews knew
EXACTLY what He was claiming, which is why they picked up stones to
stone Him for blasphemy (8:59).
