It strikes me that the entire book strives to prove through Jesus' own actions and words that he is indeed God come as man among us. He argues, he shows, he explains, he heals, he loves, he illustrates, he provokes, he corrects, he suffers human life and humiliating and unjust death. And still some of the disciples say: "Show us the Father". And he says: "Have we not been together all this time, and you still say 'Show us the Father?'" Then he also rises from the dead. That is the clincher.
Same with us, as with the disciples. Do we get it? Can it be?
The church is built on its confession and its answer to this question.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Q. What does this mean?
A. I believe that Jesus Christ is truly God, born of the Father in eternity and also truly human, born of the Virgin Mary. Christ is my Lord! Christ redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, bought and won me from all sins, death, and the authority of the Devil. It did not cost him gold or silver, but his holy, precious blood, his innocent body -- his death! Because of this, I am Christ's very own, will live under Christ in his kingdom and serve Christ righteously, innocently and blessedly forever, just as Christ is risen from death, lives and reigns forever. Yes, this is true!
(Luther's Small Catechism)
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