When we first meet someone, we often ask where they are from. A person’s context and culture shape our understanding of who they are. The crowds in Jesus’ day were constantly discussing, “Who is this man?”
In his hometown the people thought they knew him. They said, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?” Later, people said he was John the Baptist. Others thought he was Elijah and still others said he was Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But what Jesus said about himself was beyond what anyone could have guessed.
Jesus claimed that he came from heaven. He repeatedly said, “I have come down from heaven.” (John 6:38)
An educated person might tell you what university they graduated from. A successful person might list their previous companies. But no one would say they’re from heaven and expect to be taken seriously. Jesus’ claim is unparalleled.
He didn’t say he had seen an angel from heaven. He didn’t claim to have had a vision or near-death experience, where he saw into heaven. Jesus actually claimed to be from heaven. “I am from above,” he said. These are not the words of any other religious teacher.
Jesus’ claim is monumental and on it hangs the whole message of the gospel. We are lost in sin and cannot save ourselves. Education will not do it. Politics will never be enough. Therapy cannot restore all that has been broken. We’ve fallen short of the glory of God. No one is righteous. We’ve each turned to our own ways, but God did not leave us on our own.
Jesus knew he was sent by his Father to seek and save the lost. He understood the Father’s will and his part to play in it. He said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Eternal life is possible because Jesus came from heaven, took on flesh, lived a perfect life, and died a sacrificial death in our place for our sins. Only he could reconcile us to God. We needed a savior who was both divine and human. That is exactly who Jesus claimed to be.
If this is true, what will you do?
© John Rinehart 2026