The Radiant Mission
The Radiant Mission
144. What Does It Mean That Jesus is the Son of God?
What does it truly mean that Jesus is the Son of God? Far more than a theological abstraction, this question strikes at the heart of Christian faith and transforms our understanding of who God is and how He relates to us.
Diving deep into scripture, we unpack the profound meaning behind Jesus' divine sonship. This isn't about biological creation but an eternal relationship that existed before time began. Through passages like John 1:1-3, we discover Jesus wasn't made by God—He is God, the second person of the Trinity who chose to enter our world.
The concept of the Trinity emerges naturally as we explore how Jesus can be distinct from the Father while remaining fully God. We witness this beautiful mystery at Jesus' baptism where all three persons of the Trinity appear simultaneously—Jesus in the water, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father speaking from heaven. Each person maintains distinct consciousness while sharing perfect unity in essence and purpose.
We also examine why this divine sonship was so controversial among first-century Jews, whose strict monotheism made Jesus' claims sound blasphemous. Yet their own scriptures contained prophecies pointing to a divine Messiah—prophecies Jesus fulfilled in unexpected ways.
Perhaps most remarkable is the reality that Jesus lived among us—experiencing hunger, fatigue, and temptation—yet remained perfectly sinless. He grew up with siblings who initially rejected his claims, only to become believers after witnessing his resurrection. This perfect life amidst imperfect people demonstrates his divine nature in compelling ways.
Understanding Jesus as the Son of God isn't just about correct theology—it transforms how we approach life, faith, and our relationship with God. It challenges us to move beyond simply respecting Jesus from a distance to surrendering completely to his lordship. Have you truly embraced Jesus as both fully God and fully man, the King who will return in glory? Your answer changes everything about how you live today.
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Hello and welcome to the Radiant Mission Podcast. My name is Rebecca Twomey and I would love to welcome you back to our Coffee Talk series where we are exploring deep spiritual truths with an open Bible and an open heart. Today we are going to be answering a powerful question what does it mean that Jesus is the Son of God? Is it a title, a role or a literal relationship? Understanding this truth isn't just theological, it's transformational. So let's break it down and see what scripture really says. First, the Son of God is a divine title, not a created role. Jesus is not God's son in a biological sense. Right, he wasn't created by God. He is God existing eternally before creation.
Rebecca Twomey:John 1, 1 through 3 says In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Through Him, all things were made. John 1, 14,. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. So Jesus is called the Son of God to express his unique relationship with the Father.
Rebecca Twomey:Not origin, but oneness and divine identity. He is fully God. Yet he is distinct from the Father, which of course leads us to a discussion on the trinity and understanding the trinity one god and three persons. The trinity is one of the most beautiful and mysterious truths of scripture one god in three co-eternal persons father, son and holy spirit. In Matthew 3, 16 through 17,. At Jesus's baptism, jesus is in the water, the Spirit descends like a dove and the Father speaks from heaven. Each person is distinct in consciousness here. Not one divine mind shared three ways. One divine mind shared three ways, yet united in essence, glory and purpose. John 10 30 says I and the Father are one. Jesus is not the Father, but he is fully God, the second person of the Trinity who reveals the Father and accomplishes our redemption. And a question that you might be asking is then do Jesus and the Father share the same consciousness? And this is where it gets really deep and beautiful too. No, jesus doesn't share the same consciousness as the Father. He is his own divine person. He talks to the Father, obeys him, submits to him, and yet he's fully equal. John 17 5 says Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. So, yes, distinct consciousness, but perfect unity.
Rebecca Twomey:Something interesting to me is why many Jews struggle with the Son of God language. You know, jewish theology is built on God being one, invisible, eternal and holy, and to many, calling Jesus the son of God sounds like blasphemy or polytheism. In fact, it was this claim that led to Jesus's crucifixion John 5, 18,. He was even calling God his own father, making himself equal with God. Also, the Jewish expectation of the Messiah was not a divine figure but a human ruler who would restore Israel's kingdom. 1 Corinthians 1.23,.
Rebecca Twomey:We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews, but prophecies in their own scriptures pointed to a divine son Isaiah 9, 6,. And he will be called mighty God. Psalm 2, 7,. You are my son. Today I have become your father.
Rebecca Twomey:Jesus fulfilled what they didn't fully expect a Messiah who would save, not just rule. And that leads us to Jesus being fully God and fully man. This is the heart of the incarnation. Jesus didn't just represent God, he was God in human flesh. Colossians 2, 9,. For in Christ, all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form. He felt hunger, he felt fatigue, sadness and temptation, but he never sinned. Hebrews 4.15,. Tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he did not sin. Only the Son of God could enter the world and walk in our shoes and still remain sinless. Come on our shoes and still remain sinless. Come on. It is absolutely one of the most challenging things that we face, yet he did it, and only God could do such a thing right.
Rebecca Twomey:Something that's interesting to me about Jesus is that he had siblings, but he remained set apart. In scripture it clearly says that Jesus had earthly siblings through Mary and Joseph. In Mark 6, 3,. Isn't this the carpenter, the brother of James, joseph, judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us? We know at least four brothers by name and multiple sisters, though their names and number aren't listed. Some traditions suggest that these were cousins or Joseph's children from a previous marriage, but the plain reading of the text supports them as Mary's other children. But here's what's remarkable to me Jesus grew up in a normal household, yet remained completely sinless. How many of you have grown up with siblings or are parents to multiple children and experience the fighting and lying and betrayal each and every day? So if that is not an example of God, I don't know what else is.
Rebecca Twomey:1 Peter 2.22,. He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth. This means that he never disrespected his parents, he never lied, he never mistreated his siblings. Can you imagine growing up with a perfect older brother and even more powerful. Some of those siblings, like James, didn't believe in him during his ministry but later became leaders in the early church after seeing the resurrected Christ. So even his own siblings didn't believe.
Rebecca Twomey:1 Corinthians 15.7,. Then he appeared to James and it goes on to share that story. James later wrote in the book of James and called himself a servant of Jesus Christ. Pretty cool. Jesus also revealed his sonship in power and authority. Jesus didn't just say he was the son of God, he proved it. Matthew 16, 16 through 17,. You are the Messiah, the son of the living God. Jesus replied. This was revealed to you by my father. He cast out demons, he calmed storms, forgave sins, healed the sick, raised the dead and then finally he rose from the dead himself. In Romans 1, 4, appointed the son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead. Next, jesus will return in glory as the Son of God. He came first as a servant, but he will return as king and judge. Revelation 1.13- 15,. Eyes like blazing fire, his face like the sun, shining in all of its brilliance. And then Revelation 19, 16,. King of kings and Lord of lords, this is the son of God in full authority, you guys, not just to teach or heal, but to rule forever.
Rebecca Twomey:Before we close, I want to talk about the roles of the Trinity really quick. All three persons of the Trinity are fully God, but they serve distinct roles. God the Father initiates, sends and sustains. God the Son, or Jesus, stains. God the Son or Jesus reveals, condemns and mediates. God the Holy Spirit empowers, convicts, guides and indwells. 1 Peter 1, 2,.
Rebecca Twomey:Chosen by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, obedient to Jesus Christ, the Trinity is one God working together in unity, never in conflict and always in love. So what does it mean that Jesus is the Son of God? It means that he's not just a man, he's not just a teacher. He is God in the flesh, the one who came to save us and who will one day return in power. John 3, 18,. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already. Romans 10, 9,. If you declare Jesus is Lord and believe God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. So some reflection questions as we close today. Have I truly surrendered to Jesus as Lord or just respected him from a distance? Do I believe in the Trinity or do I struggle to understand it? What does it change in my life to know Jesus is fully God, fully man and the King of Kings.
Rebecca Twomey:If this episode encouraged, challenged, you, share it with a friend. Next week we are going to be talking about the Holy Spirit. Thank you so much for joining me today. If you want to stay connected outside the podcast, please join the mission on Instagram, at the Radiant Mission, on Facebook, at the Radiant Mission Podcast, or on YouTube by searching for my name, rebecca Toomey, and my last name is spelled T-W-O-M-E-Y. Today I'm going to close with Hebrews 1, verse 3. The sun is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Wishing you a radiant week and I'll see you next time. Bye everyone.
