Jesus Is God: Is Jesus a Good Teacher or Is He God? Honest Answers for Seekers

58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going[p] through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Let’s be honest: at some point in our spiritual journey, most of us bump up against challenging questions about Jesus. Maybe you’re sitting in a church pew, scrolling through your phone in a coffee shop, or sitting across from a friend who asks, "If Jesus was just a moral teacher, why do Christians call Him God?"
Today I want to talk about a question that shows up a lot—for spiritual seekers, for people raised in church, and for those who just want an authentic faith: Is Jesus just a good teacher, or is He really God?
Let's walk through this together, exploring scripture, reason, and a little bit of real-life experience.

Have you ever heard someone say, "I respect Jesus, but I just don’t believe He was God. He was an amazing teacher, but not divine"? C.S. Lewis—yes, the same guy who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia—actually addressed this exact issue head-on.
Lewis put it this way (and I’m paraphrasing, but you get the point): Either Jesus was and is the Son of God, or He was a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, spit at Him and kill Him as a demon—or, fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let’s not give any of this patronizing nonsense about Him just being a great human teacher. He didn’t leave that option open to us.
That’s pretty direct. So where do we go from there?

The issue boils down to the claims Jesus made about Himself. It isn’t just that Jesus taught about love or forgiveness—many wise leaders have. Jesus made startling claims that only make sense if He really is who He says He is.
Let’s look at a few scriptures together.

First, Jesus claimed that His salvation is inclusive—"for the whole world." But it’s also exclusive—because He alone is the way to God. In John 14:6, Jesus says,
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Christianity’s claim doesn’t build barriers so much as it sets a direction. Everyone’s invited, but the way is clear.

Absolutely. Philippians 2:5-6 lays out the stunning claim:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God."

But here's what’s wild: Jesus did not use His equality with God as a thing to exploit. He humbled Himself, living among us, serving, and ultimately dying on a cross. That’s not the story of an egomaniac or lunatic, but of God putting on flesh to rescue the world.

Check Mark 10:17-18. Someone called Jesus "Good Teacher." Jesus responds, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." He doesn’t correct people who treat Him as divine; instead, He presses them to consider how deep that statement goes.

People sometimes claim Jesus never said, "I am God" word for word. Let’s look at the context. In John 8:58, Jesus says, "Before Abraham was, I AM." This references God’s own name ("I AM") revealed in Exodus to Moses.
How did Jesus’s audience respond? They took up stones to kill Him—for blasphemy. They understood exactly what He meant.
A similar scene happens in John 10:33:
“We are not stoning you for any good work, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
If Jesus didn’t want people to think He claimed divinity, He could have clarified. He didn’t. That silence speaks volumes.

It might feel narrow, but listen to what Jesus says in John 14:6 again:
"No one comes to the Father except through me."
It’s not about Christians being right and everyone else wrong. It’s about a God who came down, made a way, and offers it to all.

Exactly! Isaiah 43:11 says:
"I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior."
But then, in Luke 2:11, the angels proclaim:
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
If God says there is "no Savior besides Me," and Jesus is the Savior—do the math.

No. Christians believe in one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Passages like Isaiah 44:6 and Revelation 1:8 show God saying, "I am the First and the Last," and Jesus applying that same title to Himself.

Faith isn't blind. The Bible is full of claims that only make sense if Jesus is truly God. For example:
All-Powerful (Omnipotent): Colossians 1:16—"For by him all things were created."
All-Knowing (Omniscient): John 2:24-25—He "knew all people."
Ever-Present (Omnipresent): Matthew 28:20—"I am with you always, to the end of the age."
If you look at Psalm 139, God's attribute of being everywhere, knowing everything, and having unlimited power come out clearly. Guess what? These are ascribed to Jesus too.

Maybe you’re wondering if any of this matters unless it connects with your real life.
Here's what nobody can take away from you: if Jesus has changed your life, that’s a story people can’t debate.
I can honestly say, my life has been changed. Not by trying harder, or reading more books, or following another wise teacher. Nothing worked until I met Jesus—not just learned about Him, but truly encountered Him.
That’s why the conversation always comes back to Jesus. Other religions may mention Him; few are willing to say what the Bible says: Jesus is God in the flesh, the Savior who loves you.

All the scripture in the world isn’t as meaningful until we decide how to respond. Here’s my encouragement to you:
Don’t settle for a watered-down version of Jesus.
If you’re a seeker, read the words of Jesus for yourself. Start with John’s gospel. Ask God to show you the truth.
If you’re a church member—be able to explain not just that you believe, but why.
Want a free Bible? Connect with any genuine church community—ask, and you’ll receive one!
Read More Than a Carpenter if you want a deeper dive. When you’re done, give it to someone else looking for answers.

Why does it matter if Jesus is God?
Because only God can save. If Jesus isn’t God, Christianity collapses.
Can I pray to Jesus?
Absolutely. Scripture shows Jesus is omnipresent and hears all who call to Him.
Are all religions basically the same?
When you look closer, what they say about Jesus is the major difference.
How can I know Jesus personally?
Simply ask Him. Read the gospels. Pray with honesty. God promises those who seek will find.

At the end of the day, don’t let yourself be distracted by debates and opinions. Know who Jesus really is. Get to know your Savior and Lord.
Let’s pray:
"Father, thank you for revealing yourself in the person of Jesus. Open my heart and mind to know you as you really are. Help me to seek, find, and follow you all my life."


If you stuck with me this far, thanks for reading. I hope the next time you hear someone claim Jesus is just a good teacher, you’ll be ready with a story, a scripture, and a whole lot of love.