Jesus Interacted With God

The Bible depicts numerous interactions between Jesus and God, raising questions about their distinct identities. This article explores the biblical evidence of their relationship, examining prophecies, Jesus's own words, and the witness of the apostles to shed light on their divine connection.

Jesus and God interacted with each other in various ways, for example:

Prophecies

Isaiah Prophesied Jesus's Distinction

In Luke 4:17 (NKJV), Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah:

And he (Jesus) was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written:

Jesus then quotes Isaiah 61:1-2. A direct translation of this passage from Isaiah reads:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

After reading, Jesus declared:

“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” — Luke 4:17-21 (NKJV)

By announcing the prophecy's fulfillment, Jesus identified himself as its subject. This raises a question: if Jesus were the "Lord God" or "YHVH" of the Old Testament, it would imply that he sent his own spirit to himself and anointed himself to preach, heal, and proclaim.

Daniel Prophesied Jesus's Distinction

Daniel's vision in Daniel 7:13-14 also portrays Jesus as distinct from God. He describes seeing "the son of man" approaching "the Ancient of Days" and being "presented before Him" as a separate being:

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. — Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)

Numerous other prophecies also identify Jesus as distinct from God.

Jesus Grew in Favour

Luke records that Jesus's growth was not limited to the physical realm:

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. — Luke 2:52 (NIV)

This suggests a relationship in which Jesus's standing with God could develop over time, which is inconsistent with the idea that he is God. This is further supported by the fact that God personally declared Jesus to be His Son, implying a distinction between them (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22).

Jesus as a Distinct Witness

In John 8:17-18, Jesus explains that his testimony is valid because it is supported by a second witness, God the Father. This would be a meaningless argument if they were the same person.

Even in your own law it is written that the testimony of two persons is true valid and admissible.

  1. I am one of the two who testifies about myself, and
  2. my Father Who sent me testifies about me.

— John 8:17-18 (AMP)

Jesus Prays to a Distinct God

Throughout his ministry, Jesus frequently referred to God as "your Father in heaven," setting a clear distinction between himself and God.

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father Who is in heaven.

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may ube praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father Who is in secret. And your Father Who sees in secret will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name..."

-- <span class="bible-ref" data-reference="Matthew 5:45-6:9">Matthew 5:45-6:9 (ESV)

Some argue that Jesus was merely setting an example for his disciples. However, in Matthew 26:53, Jesus rebukes a disciple by stating his ability to "pray to my Father" for legions of angels. This was not an example for his disciples to follow, but a declaration of his own reliance on the Father. If he were God, he would have no need to pray to someone else for assistance.

Furthermore, Jesus's own words in Matthew 23:9 disqualify him from being the Father:

Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He Who is in heaven. — Matthew 23:9 (ESV)

Jesus said this while is was on earth. Jesus never referred to himself as "the Father" to his disciples. Instead, he identified them as his family through their shared obedience to his Father in heaven:

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,

“Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

-- Matthew 12:49-50 (ESV)

Jesus have Less Authority than God

But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.”
So He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by my Father.”

— Matthew 20:22-23 (ESV)

For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has Himself given me a commandment — what to say and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.

— John 12:49-50 (ESV)

The Samaritan Woman's Belief

In his conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4:21-26, Jesus speaks of God as a distinct spirit who should be worshipped.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”

Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” — John 4:21-26 (ESV)

The woman expressed her belief in a distinct Messiah sent by God, and Jesus confirmed he was that Messiah, reinforcing the idea of two distinct beings.

God Publicly Glorified Jesus

In John 12:27-28, Jesus asks the Father to glorify His name, and a voice from heaven responds, confirming that it has been glorified and will be glorified again.

And Jesus answered them... “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered.

— John 12:27-28 (ESV)

This event, along with God's public declaration of Jesus as His Son, demonstrates a clear interaction between two separate individuals.

Separate Belief in Jesus and God

Jesus himself indicated that it is possible to believe in God without believing in him, highlighting their distinct identities.

Let not your hearts be troubled.

  1. Believe in God;
  2. believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many rooms.

— John 14:1-2 (ASV)

This statement would be nonsensical if Jesus and God were the same person, as it acknowledges the reality of those who believed in God but not in him, such as the Pharisees.

Jesus and God Were Separated

On the cross, Jesus cried out:

“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”

that is,

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”

— Matthew 27:46 (NKJV); Mark 15:34

This raises several questions. Why would Jesus ask a question if he were talking to himself? How can one forsake oneself? Why would he refer to someone else as "My God" if he himself is God?

Trinitarians often explain this by saying that "forsaken" refers to Jesus taking on the sins of the world, separating him from God's holiness. In this view, Jesus's cry is a rhetorical question expressing the depth of his love and suffering. However, this interpretation does not fully address why he would refer to himself as "my God" or cry out with a loud voice if he were only speaking to himself. Furthermore, the crowd's reaction was not an acknowledgment of Jesus's love, but a recognition of his unique relationship with God:

They were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” — Matthew 27:54 (ESV)

This suggests that those present understood Jesus to be a distinct person from God, one whom God dearly loved.

Mark's Testimony of Jesus's Ascension

Mark's account of Jesus's ascension further emphasizes his distinctness from God:

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. — Mark 16:19 (NKJV)

This fulfills the prophecy in Psalm 110:1:

The LORD said unto my Master,

Sit thou at My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

— Psalm 110:1 (RNKJV)

The Apostles' Witnesses

Stephen's Vision

Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, saw Jesus standing next to God, but made no mention of a third person of the Trinity.

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

— Acts 7:55-56 (ESV)

John the Baptist's Testimony

John the Baptist testified that God anointed Jesus, which would be a strange act if they were the same being.

John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power... — Acts 10:38 (NKJV)

Just as an apostle ministers to God without being God, Jesus's anointing suggests a similar distinction.

Paul's Explanation of Jesus's Role

Paul described Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity, a role that would be illogical if Jesus were God himself.

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus — 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)

He also wrote that Christ intercedes for believers at the right hand of God, again implying a separate role.

It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. — Romans 8:34 (NKJV)

The Author of Hebrews on Jesus's Priesthood

The author of Hebrews refers to Jesus as the "Apostle and High Priest" who was faithful to the one who appointed him.

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him Who appointed him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. — Hebrews 3:1-2 (NKJV)

John of Patmos's Vision

In his vision in Revelation, John of Patmos saw "a standing Lamb" (representing Jesus) approach the "One seated on the throne" to take a scroll. This imagery clearly depicts two separate beings.

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. ... And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain... And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him Who was seated on the throne.

— Revelation 4:2, 5:6-7 (ESV)

God Resurrected Jesus

The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian faith, and the scriptures consistently attribute this act to God the Father. This distinction is theologically significant. If Jesus had resurrected himself, it would imply he was not truly dead, as an immortal being cannot die. The Bible, however, teaches that only God is immortal (1 Timothy 6:16) and that Jesus truly "died for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3).

The apostles repeatedly testified that God raised Jesus from the dead:

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” — Acts 2:32 (ESV)

“And God raised him from the dead.” — Acts 13:30 (ESV)

“...because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” — Acts 17:31 (ESV)

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9 (ESV)

These verses emphasize that the resurrection was an act of God's power, demonstrating His authority over death and His vindication of Jesus's sacrifice.

Jesus Worshipped God

Jesus, as a devout Jew, adhered to the practice of worshipping God alone, in accordance with the scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:13). His actions consistently demonstrated a clear distinction between himself and the God he worshipped.

For instance, Jesus actively participated in the Jewish feasts, which were acts of worship directed to God. He celebrated the Passover (Luke 2:41-42; Matthew 26:17-20) and the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:1-10), both of which were centered on the worship of the God of Israel. If Jesus were God, his participation in these feasts would be a performance rather than genuine worship.

Furthermore, when tempted by Satan to worship him, Jesus responded by quoting scripture:

“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” (Matthew 4:10, NIV)

This declaration reinforces the principle that worship is to be directed to God alone, and by adhering to this principle, Jesus demonstrated his own submission to God.

Critiques

Some argue that Jesus's interactions with God were a result of "kenosis," a theological concept where Jesus voluntarily emptied himself of his divine attributes to become fully human. According to this view, Jesus's prayers and expressions of dependence on God were a reflection of his human nature, not a denial of his divine nature. However, the Bible does not explicitly teach this doctrine, and it raises further questions. For example, if Jesus was still fully God, how could he be tempted?

Others argue that Jesus's interactions with God were merely examples for his disciples. However, if these interactions were not genuine, one would expect the apostles to have clarified this in their writings. Without such clarification, their accounts must be taken as literal witness testimonies.

Some also suggest these interactions were symbolic prophecies. But prophets in the Bible consistently distinguished their own words from God's inspired messages. The Gospel writers, however, did not frame Jesus's interactions with God in this way, instead presenting them as straightforward events.

Conclusion

The Bible provides substantial evidence that Jesus and God are distinct beings who interacted in various ways. Prophecies foretold their separate roles, and Jesus's actions and words consistently pointed to a relationship with a separate God. Jesus grew in favor with God, acted as a distinct witness, and prayed to a separate God. Furthermore, Jesus was publicly glorified by God and emphasized the need to believe in both of them separately. Even in his suffering, Jesus cried out to God, and after his resurrection, he was seen at God's right hand. The apostles' testimonies and his worship of God consistently supported this view. While some offer alternative interpretations, the biblical accounts strongly suggest a clear distinction between Jesus and God.

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