You have already learned from the Scriptures, that Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God foretold by the prophets. The mystery of this Kingdom is revealed in the word, in the deeds and in the person of Christ, who came, to give people God's life and make them a family of God's children. It is a great gift given to people, and at the same time the promise of God. Is there anyone, who can keep this promise ? What is the guarantee of its fulfillment? ? Who is Jesus Christ ?
Jesus' testimony of himself
Sometimes sick, healed by Jesus, they called him the Son of God, e.g.. the possessed man of Gerasa cried out : "What do you want from me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God ?” (Mk 5, 7). This title did not surprise people of that time. It has been used in various meanings. The Israelites were called sons of God, because by covenant they belonged to God. People were also called sons of God, who imitated God's virtues in their lives and actions. For example. The Lord Jesus calls these sons of God, who make peace (by. Mt 5, 9). In the Old Covenant, the Son of God was called the Messiah. Hence, they also called Jesus the Son of God, who saw in him the promised Messiah. However, he was not considered to be God, as equal to God, because it was difficult for the Jews to understand. They only knew one God - Yahweh.
Jesus Christ revealed, however, what is his sonship really like. He revealed, that he is the Son of God in a completely different sense. He did so before the Jewish Council at the beginning of the Passion. This is what the Gospel according to St.. Luke :
"Once the day has come, the elders of the people had gathered, the chief priests and scribes and had him brought before their council. They said : «If You are the Messiah, tell us ". He answered them: «If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I ask you, you will not give me an answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will sit on the right side of God's omnipotence ». Everyone cried out: «So you are the Son of God ? »He answered them : "So. I am him ». And they cried out : «What else do we need a testimony for ? After all, we ourselves have heard from his mouth »" (Luke 22,66-71).
When asked by the highest religious authority of the chosen people, Jesus admits, that he is the Messiah, foretold in the book of Daniel ,,The Son of Man ". "Henceforth the Son of Man will sit on the right side of God's omnipotence". Jesus declares, that he is the Son of God in a completely different sense than has been previously understood. He is equal to God. This confession was considered his greatest fault. Gospel of St.. Mateusz adds, that this confession of Christ was considered blasphemy by the Council and condemned to death. For the Jews regarded this as a blasphemer, who made himself equal to God.
Father and Son
Is Jesus, The son of man, does not share in the power and glory of God until his death and resurrection ? We also find the answer in the Gospel, especially in St.. Jana. Gospel of St.. John tells of the disputes between the Jewish scribes and Jesus of Nazareth. When Jesus spoke, that God is his Father, then the Jews were indignant at it, that he makes himself equal to God.
“Jesus told them in response :
«Verily, verily I say to you : The son could do nothing on his own, if he had not seen the Father doing. For the same, what He does, likewise the Son does »" (J 5, 19).
Thus, there is an intimate unity of action between the Father and the Son.
Moreover, the Father gives the Son the power to give life and the power to judge, therefore both are worthy of equal worship :
"For as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also the Son gives life to them, which he wants. For the father does not judge anyone, but he handed all judgment to the Son, that all may worship the Son, as they worship the Father " (J 5, 21-23).
When the Jews refused to believe His words, he was talking to them :
“Even if you don't believe Me, believe my works, that you may know and know, that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father " (J 10, 38).
These works are for all people : His learning, miracles done, and most of all death and resurrection. Gospel of St.. John shows, as Jesus teaches us, that the action of the Father and the Son is one, that the Father and the Son are intimately united to each other and that they should be worshiped equally. Jesus the Messiah is therefore equal to his Father in everything from the beginning (by. J 10, 33).
The Faith of the Church
The Church believed and taught from the very beginning, that Jesus Christ is the true Son of God, equal to the Father.
The Gospels written after Christ's death and resurrection are an expression of this faith. The first Christians lived it and gave their lives for it. We also profess it. Christian life is life ,,in the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us " (by. Ga 2, 20). It is also an anticipation of the day of Jesus' second coming, for day, in which the glory of the Son of God will be fully revealed.
This faith of the Church is most evident in the liturgy. In the liturgy, the Church usually prays to God the Father : ,,Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever ". In some mass prayers, he also prays to Jesus, The Son of God.
How will I answer God ?
On Palm Sunday and Good Friday we listen to the description of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. We see Him rejected by the chosen people, sentenced to death, counted among the villains, crucified, and finally laid in the tomb. It would seem, that all of God's promises had been canceled. However, at the beginning of the Passion we read the confession of Jesus Christ, that he is the true Son of God. We know, that he is risen and we wait, when he comes in glory. It was through these sufferings and death that he won. I can believe Him ! But do I do that? ?
Do I accept the mysteries revealed by Jesus with faith and trust?, The Son of God ? How do I confess this faith in my life ?
I can confess her like that, as the People of God professes it in the Eucharistic Assembly.
"They believe… in one Lord Jesus Christ,
The only-begotten Son of God, which of the Father is born before all ages.
God from God, light from light,
True God from true God. Born, not created, consubstantial with the Father, and through him everything was made ".
■ Think:
1. What different meanings does the biblical term have ,,Son of God" ?
2. Which was the reason for the indignation of the Jews and the condemnation of Jesus to death ?
3. How is the equality of the Son of God with the Father manifested? ?
4. How the liturgy expresses the truth, that Jesus Christ is the true Son of God ?
■ Remember:
16. What Jesus Christ has revealed to us about his divine filiation ?
Jesus Christ has revealed to us, that he is the Son of God, equal to the Father.
■ Task :
Read and compare the description of Jesus' testimony of himself according to St.. Matthew (26, 59-68) and St.. Brand (14, 53-65).
