He did. Many times and in many
different ways and not in the way many would want him to say it.
In John 10, Jesus explained that a
shepherd enters through the front gate and calls the sheep. They follow their
master. An interesting statement, not immediately understood.
Jesus
used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling
them. John 10:6
He clarifies by saying He is the gate
and the shepherd. Jesus stated that He is way people come to God and the one
who calls them.
“I
am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father
knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have
other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too
will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The
reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority
to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from
my Father.” John 10:14-18
This they understood. He just revealed
he had authority from God and that he and the Father are in a very close
relationship. The religious leaders called
Him demon possessed for this statement.
Later, the people wanted to know if He
was the Messiah. Jesus returned to the
sheep statements he made and said he already told them.
Jesus
answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my
Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my
sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give
them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of
my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can
snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Again
the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown
you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
“We
are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy,
because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10:25-33
Clearly they understood what Jesus
said—He and God are one. That’s why they picked up stones to punish him for the
sin of blasphemy (calling himself God).
Jesus said clearly in this statement that he gives eternal life to
people and protects them in his hand, powers only God could have.
Jesus frequently used the term “Son of
man” to describe Himself. The term appears throughout Ezekiel and most
prominently in Daniel Chapter 7.
“In
my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,
coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led
into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all
peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an
everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will
never be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14
That phrase "son of man" reveals
one who has the power to judge, with authority and deserves glory from the
whole earth. The son of man is eternal and has an everlasting kingdom. Who else
would this be but God? Jesus called
himself by that phrase all the time.
At Jesus’ baptism and his
transfiguration, God appeared on the scene and proclaimed “This is my son.”
Jesus didn’t have to say anything. God said it for him.
The religious leaders crucified Jesus
because he called himself God in a way they understood. Jesus didn’t say “I am
God” in a way that many wanted Him to say, but to the people of His day, it was
very clear.