Person and Deity of Jesus

May 10, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Word in the Beginning

John opens his gospel with a stunning claim. He writes about the Word. This Word was with God in the very beginning. More than that, the Word was God. All things were made through this Word. Nothing exists that He did not create. John identifies this eternal, creative Word as Jesus.

Jesus did not begin His life in a manger. The Bethlehem birth was His incarnation, His arrival in human flesh. He has always existed. He was present at creation. The book of Genesis records God saying, "Let us make man," pointing to the plural nature of the Godhead. Jesus is not a created being. He is the Creator of all.

You live in a world He spoke into existence. The air you breathe and the life you have are gifts from His hand. This truth changes how you see everything. It moves Jesus from a simple historical figure to the eternal God. How does knowing Jesus as your Creator change your perspective on a current problem?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
(John 1:1–3, ESV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the eternal Creator who holds your life in His hands.

Challenge: Read Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1-3 aloud and write down one difference between the two "beginnings."

Day 2: The Image of the Invisible

The Apostle Paul tells the Colossians that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is the exact representation of the Father. Jesus created everything in heaven and on earth. All thrones, powers, and rulers were created by Him and for Him. He holds all of creation together. In Jesus, the complete fullness of God was pleased to live.

This means Jesus perfectly shows us what God is like. We do not worship a distant, unknowable force. We worship a Person who made Himself known. Jesus reveals God's character, power, and love. His authority holds your world together, from the planets to the molecules in your body.

Many of us reduce Jesus to a good teacher or a helpful friend. We forget He is the powerful King holding the universe together. You can trust the One who sustains all things to sustain you. What area of your life feels like it is falling apart that you need to trust His sustaining power today?

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
(Colossians 1:15–17, ESV)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to show you His power today in holding your life together.

Challenge: Identify one thing in nature (a tree, the sky, a bird) and thank Jesus aloud for creating and holding it together.

Day 3: God With Us and Without Sin

The prophet Isaiah foretold a miracle. A virgin would conceive and bear a son. They would call His name Immanuel, which means "God with us." Matthew confirms that Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. Jesus was born of a virgin, a miracle that defied nature. He was fully God and fully man. He lived a perfect life, completely without sin.

His sinless nature was crucial. Hebrews says Jesus is a high priest who is holy, innocent, and unstained. He does not need to offer sacrifices for His own sins. Peter confirms that Jesus committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. His purity qualified Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our imperfections.

You have a high priest who understands your humanity because He lived it. Yet He overcame every temptation without failing. He is not disappointed in your struggles. He offers His perfect righteousness to cover your failure. Where do you most need to receive the grace of your sinless high priest today?

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
(Matthew 1:23, ESV)

Prayer: Confess your need for a Savior and thank Jesus for being both God with you and without sin.

Challenge: Write down one specific temptation you face and pray, "Jesus, you were sinless, help me in this."

Day 4: The Mind of a Servant

Paul tells the Philippians to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Though Jesus was in the very form of God, He did not cling to His rights. Instead, He emptied Himself. He took on the form of a servant. He was born in human likeness. He humbled Himself further by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Jesus never stopped being God. He willingly laid down His divine privileges. He chose the path of a servant. His mission was not to be served, but to serve. His ultimate act of service was dying on the cross to pay for our sins. God then highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name.

You are called to imitate this servant mindset. This means laying down your rights for the good of others. It means choosing obedience over comfort. It is the path to true life and freedom. What right are you clinging to that Jesus is asking you to lay down today?

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
(Philippians 2:5–7, ESV)

Prayer: Ask Jesus for the humility to serve someone else today without expecting anything in return.

Challenge: Intentionally perform one act of service for a family member today without announcing it.

Day 5: The Cry of Victory

On the cross, Jesus cried out, "It is finished." The Greek word is tetelestai. This word carried great meaning. In business, it was written on a receipt to signify a debt was paid in full. In court, it marked a sentence fully served. In the military, it declared a battle completely won. Jesus used this word to declare His work complete.

Jesus announced that your sin debt was paid. The judgment against you was fully served. The war against Satan was utterly won. His resurrection proved His victory was real and physical. He showed His disciples His hands and feet, inviting them to touch His flesh and bones. He was not a ghost. He was the victorious King.

Because of tetelestai, you can live free from guilt and shame. Your debt is canceled. Your record is clean. The battle is won. You do not have to earn what He has already accomplished. What old debt of shame are you still trying to pay that Jesus has already stamped "tetelestai"?

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in us we might become the righteousness of God.
(2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus that your debt is paid in full and that you are made righteous in Him.

Challenge: Write the word "tetelestai" on a piece of paper and place it where you will see it as a reminder of your freedom.

Sermon Summary

Mother’s Day reflections frame a study of the person and deity of Jesus, using the pillar metaphor to show how Jesus supports the life of faith and transfers weight to the foundation of God. The Logos language of John identifies Jesus as the eternal Word who was with God in the beginning and through whom all things were made; incarnation in Bethlehem did not begin his existence but revealed the Creator among creatures. Scriptural affirmations in John, Colossians, Hebrews, Matthew, Philippians, Luke, and Paul portray Jesus as both fully divine and fully human: the image of the invisible God, preeminent over creation, head of the church, sinless high priest, miracle worker, and sovereign reconciler. The virgin birth and the name Immanuel underscore God’s presence with humanity without forfeiting deity; sinlessness renders Jesus the only acceptable substitute to bear humanity’s penalty.

Authority and mission remain central: Jesus holds all things together, was not created but sovereign, and willingly emptied himself to serve and obey to the point of death. The cross accomplishes reconciliation—Christ who knew no sin was made sin for humanity so that believers might become the righteousness of God. The resurrection’s bodily reality demonstrates conquest over death and secures his claim over every inch of creation. The Greek declaration “tetelestai” on the cross is explained in business, judicial, and military terms: the debt is paid, the sentence fulfilled, and the enemy vanquished. That declaration yields both forensic forgiveness and cosmic triumph.

Pastoral urgency calls for renewed awe: recognizing Jesus as Lord should recalibrate worship and obedience, countering a consumer Christianity that reduces Jesus to a peer or friend whose words are mere suggestions. Exclusivity in John 14:6 is affirmed as the singular way to the Father. The invitation to respond remains simple and decisive—repentance, faith in Christ’s finished work, and surrender of life—followed by an appeal to yield every area of life to his Lordship and a blessing upon mothers.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible reading**
John 1:1–3 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Colossians 1:15–20 (ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

**Observation questions**

According to John 1:1–3, what three things are true about the Word (Jesus) from the very beginning?
In Colossians 1:15–20, what specific roles and actions are attributed to Jesus in relation to creation and redemption?
What does Philippians 2:5–8 say Jesus did despite being in the form of God?
How do these passages describe Jesus’ relationship to God the Father?

**Interpretation questions**

Why is it significant that Jesus is described as both the Creator and the one who holds all things together? What does this imply about His ongoing role in the world?
What does it mean for Jesus to be “the image of the invisible God”? How does His life and mission make God known to humanity?
In Philippians 2, Jesus is said to have “emptied himself.” Does this mean He stopped being God? What does this voluntary humility reveal about His character and mission?
How does Jesus’ sinlessness (as highlighted in Hebrews and 1 Peter) qualify Him to be the perfect substitute for humanity’s sin?

**Application questions**

Jesus holds all things together—including your life. What area of your life feels most unstable or chaotic right now? How can you consciously trust His sustaining power in that area this week?
Jesus willingly became a servant and obeyed to the point of death. Is there a relationship or situation where you’re struggling to serve or obey? What would it look like to humbly lay down your rights in that area?
The word “tetelestai” means your debt is paid, your sentence is fulfilled, and your enemy is defeated. Do you live like someone who’s truly free, or do you still carry guilt, shame, or fear? What’s one practical way you can rest in His finished work this week?
Jesus is not just a friend but Lord. Is there a specific command of Jesus you’ve been treating as optional rather than essential? What step can you take this week to align your life with His authority?
Jesus is the only way to the Father. Who in your life needs to hear this exclusive but hope-filled truth? How can you compassionately and clearly share it with them?
The resurrection proves Jesus has authority over every inch of creation—including your work, your family, and your future. What part of your life have you been hesitant to surrender to His lordship? What would it look like to yield it fully to Him?