BIBLE BITS -- Matthew 5

There has been a trend of people claiming that Jesus never said he was God.  If you want to find a verse in the Bible where Jesus states, "You know what?  I am God.  For real.  Divine through and through.  The Lord Almighty.  That's ME!", you won't find it.  However, if you consider Jesus' words, they can only be uttered by someone who is God--or by someone who is guilty of rank blasphemy.  The charge of blasphemy was made by Jesus' enemies repeatedly.  So, they understood what Jesus was saying, even if Jesus' enemies today do not.

As one example of Jesus' words being a claim for divinity, consider the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5.  Jesus quoted the Law of Moses six times, and each time, Jesus commented on the Law and strengthened it.  He taught that our attitudes and thoughts are just as damning as our actions if they violate the Law of God.  But consider how Jesus made his claims.

"You have heard that it was said..." (verses 21,27,31,33,38,43) and then Jesus quoted the Law.  But he followed up, "But I say to you...." (verses 22,28,32,34,39,44).  What gives Jesus the authority to intensify the Law?  And not only to intensify it, but to base his intensifying on a "because I said so"?  It can only be this: He is God.  

As God, he offers commentary on his own word.  He does not nullify the Law or overturn it.  He restates and reinforces it.  Only God has the authority to do that.  Therefore, by his words, Jesus declares, "I am God."