QT 14 Jun 12, Jesus claimed to be God and we must decide how to respond to that claim

John 5:16-18 (NIV) So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. 17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."  18 For this reason 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.

NOTE: The skeptic will often try to use the argument that Jesus never claimed to be God, but over and over again, the Jews clearly understood what he was saying and what he claimed. Later, the High Priest will tear his clothes because of something Jesus says during his trial, and exclaim, "we have heard his blasphemy." No person has ever claimed to be God and lived the life that validated that claim, except for Jesus. He is unique in human history. His power validates his verbal statements. That was the conundrum that the Jewish leaders faced. His teaching was in conflict with their view of God but he was doing good, doing impossible miracles, and making impossible claims. What should they do with this person? Should they admit they were wrong and repent --but that might reduce their status in the view of others--what should they do? They decide to oppose Jesus. And so, we similarly, when faced with the claims of Jesus have the same choice, to repent and believe, or to reject Christ. There is no middle ground when it comes to responding to the claims of Christ.