Jesus Is God: The Revelation of the Invisible God in Flesh

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

Introduction

The central claim of Christianity is that Jesus Christ is God incarnate—God revealed in human flesh. This doctrine is not a theological invention of later centuries but arises directly from the witness of Scripture. The apostle Paul, in Colossians 1:15, declares that Christ “is the image of the invisible God” (KJV), underscoring the truth that in Jesus, the eternal, unseen God has made Himself visible and accessible to humanity. This profound reality lies at the heart of Christian faith: the invisible God of eternity entered human history through the person of Jesus Christ, not merely as a messenger, but as God Himself.

Jesus as the Visible Image of the Invisible God

The invisibility of God is affirmed throughout the Old Testament. Exodus 33:20 records the Lord telling Moses, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Likewise, 1 Timothy 1:17 refers to God as “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God.” Humanity, bound by finitude and sin, cannot behold the infinite divine essence directly.

However, Paul teaches in Colossians 1:15 that Jesus Christ is “the image of the invisible God.” The Greek word for “image” (eikōn) conveys more than a mere likeness; it denotes manifestation, representation, and embodiment. Thus, in Jesus, God is not partially revealed but fully disclosed. As the author of Hebrews affirms: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Heb. 1:3, NIV). To see Jesus is to see God Himself—not in a symbolic sense, but in true and personal reality.

The Incarnation: God in Flesh

The doctrine of the Incarnation is the defining mystery of the Christian faith. John 1:14 states with authority: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (NKJV). The eternal Logos, who was with God and was God (John 1:1), became human without ceasing to be divine.

This means that Jesus Christ is not merely a prophet or moral teacher but the eternal God made flesh. In Him, divine transcendence and human existence unite. As Athanasius, the great fourth-century defender of Christ’s divinity, proclaimed: “He became what we are that He might make us what He is.” The Incarnation is therefore both revelation and redemption: revelation because God makes Himself known in Jesus, and redemption because through His death and resurrection, humanity is reconciled to God.

Jesus’ Self-Revelation as God

Jesus’ words and works further affirm His divine identity. In John 14:9, He declared, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” This statement surpasses the authority of any prophet; it asserts that Jesus is the visible manifestation of the invisible Father. Similarly, in John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and the Father are one,” signifying an essential unity of being, not merely purpose.

The miracles of Jesus, His authority over nature, demons, sin, and death, all reveal divine prerogatives. When Jesus forgave sins (Mark 2:5–7), the scribes rightly recognized that such authority belongs to God alone. When He accepted worship (Matthew 14:33; John 20:28), He did not rebuke His followers, for He Himself is worthy of divine honor.

The Theological Significance

The truth that Jesus is God in flesh has profound theological implications. First, it affirms the reliability of divine revelation. God is not distant or unknowable but has spoken in the clearest possible way—by becoming human. Second, it grounds Christian salvation. Only God Himself could bear the full weight of sin and conquer death. Third, it shapes Christian worship and devotion. To worship Christ is to worship God.

As Paul declares in Philippians 2:6–11, Jesus, though “in very nature God,” humbled Himself in the Incarnation and was exalted so that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Conclusion

Jesus Christ is not simply a reflection of God’s glory but the glory of God incarnate. He is the visible image of the invisible God, the eternal Word who became flesh, the full and final revelation of God to humanity. To know Jesus is to know God, to see Jesus is to see God, and to worship Jesus is to worship God. The Christian confession that “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9) is therefore not merely a title of honor but the acknowledgement of His eternal divinity.

In a world longing for truth, hope, and salvation, the message stands unshaken: Jesus is God—the revelation of the invisible made visible, God in flesh for the redemption of the world.

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References

• Athanasius. On the Incarnation. Translated by John Behr. Yonkers, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2011.

• Holy Bible, King James Version.

• Holy Bible, New International Version.

• Holy Bible, New King James Version.

• Oden, Thomas C. The Word of Life: Systematic Theology, Volume Two. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1989.

• Wright, N.T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996.