In Luke 17:11-17, we read the account of Jesus healing ten lepers.
They are all healed but nine of them go away without an ounce of gratitude. Except for one man. When he realized he had been made completely clean from the dreaded disease, he runs back to Jesus. What do you think he did?
He said, “Thank you”, shook hands, and went his way? No.
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.
Luke 11:15-16
Did you see that? He came back to Jesus, overflowing with great praise, and fell down prostrate at the feet of Jesus in profound thanksgiving for what Jesus had done for him.
What was Jesus’ response to all his adulation and praise?
“Don’t prostrate before me!”…?
“Don’t praise me! Praise God alone!”…?
“I didn’t heal you! God did! Don’t thank me! Thank God for your healing”…?
“Give glory to God alone, not to me!”…?
Here is what Jesus said….
Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God….“
Luke 17:17-18
Who healed? Jesus or God? Who deserved the praise and thanks? Jesus or God? If God, and not Jesus, can Jesus SHARE God’s glory?
Now picture the scene. This healed man is prostrating before Jesus, praising him. Jesus acknowledges that he healed the man. Jesus, not only receives the man’s praises, but also expresses his expectation that the others should have also returned to give glory to him. “Are you the only one who has come back to give glory to God?”
Can you believe that? Jesus is explicitly stating a truth, that the man has come back. To whom? To God. For what? To give glory to God.
This is blasphemy….IF Jesus was a mere man, just a prophet, just a servant, just a messenger, for claiming the glory of God for himself, and receiving the worship and praise due to God alone. This would be a sin worthy of being stoned to death. The man could have thanked and praised God ANYWHERE but he CAME BACK TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD. He fell at the feet of Jesus. Why did Jesus accept the praises and the glory that this man gave to him, if he was not God?
Acts 14:8-18 records the account of Paul and Barnabas healing a man who was lame in both feet. This was at a place called Lystra. (This would be in present day Turkey). When the people there realized that a powerful miracle had taken place before their eyes, they all began to offer their worship to Paul and Barnabas. How did they respond? Did they say, “Yes, we healed you. Come and prostrate before us and give us praise and glory for what we did”…?
…the apostles Barnabas and Paul…tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.
Acts 14:14-15
They tore their robes. This was a symbol of deep grief because of what the people were attempting to do. The people were bowing down in worship to Paul and Barnabas. The two apostles vehemently refused it. “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you.” Why didn’t Jesus say this too?
Acts 10 reports another incident. The apostle Peter arrived in the home of a Roman centurion named Cornelius, upon invitation, to preach the gospel. Cornelius was so overwhelmed to see Peter. “Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him. But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” (Acts 10:25-26). Why didn’t Jesus say this too?
Coming back to my original question. Did Jesus commit blasphemy? If Jesus is NOT God, he is certainly guilty of blasphemy.
This isn’t the only time that Jesus “committed blasphemy.” In John 5 Jesus repeatedly claimed equality with God. “Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.” (John 5:18)
The punishment for blasphemy is to be stoned to death. This is the reason why the Jews attempted to have him stoned time and time again. (see John 8:58-59; John 10:30-31) He was claiming to be God!
WHO FORGIVES SINS?
Don’t forget, Jesus also claimed he has authority to forgive sins. (See Mark 2:5). The Jewish teachers of the Law who heard him were outraged, “He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (see Mark 2:6). Even the Quran repeats this, “…who can forgive sins except Allah…” (Sura 3:135).
Let’s analyze this.
1. ONLY God can forgive sins.
2. Jesus forgave sins. (see Mark 2:5, Luke 7:48)
Who is he claiming to be? Did Jesus commit blasphemy? If Jesus is NOT God, he is certainly guilty of blasphemy.
WHO RAISES THE DEAD ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION?
According to Quran 22:7, Allah will raise the dead on the Day Of Resurrection. In John 5:25-29, Jesus claims to be the one will raise the dead.
Let’s analyze this.
1. ONLY God will raise the dead on the Day of Resurrection.
2. Jesus asserts that he will raise the dead on the Day of Resurrection.
Who is he claiming to be? Did Jesus commit blasphemy? If Jesus is NOT God, he is certainly guilty of blasphemy.
The conclusion is clear.
There is no neutral ground. Jesus was either a liar or a deluded fraud (like Muhammad)
OR
He is God who has the authority to forgives sins and the power to raise the dead to life on the Day of Resurrection.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36
Read more like this and learn more
Get my book. Now available on Amazon.
