No, he is not right; Jesus repeatedly told both His followers and those who didn’t believe in Him that He was not only fully human, but He was also God in human flesh. On one occasion, for example, He boldly declared, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

This also was the universal conviction of His closest disciples. Not only had they listened to His teachings and heard His claims, they also had observed His life and seen His miracles. They had witnessed as well His divine glory when it was revealed on the Mount of Transfiguration. Even His enemies knew that He claimed to be divine, even if they didn’t believe it. On one occasion, for example, they plotted to kill Him “for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33).

But was His claim true? The answer is yes—and the proof is His resurrection from the dead. Death is our ultimate enemy, but by His resurrection Jesus Christ conquered death by the power of God. His resurrection was the final proof of His divine nature, for death could not hold the divine Son of God.

The real question, however, is this: what difference does Jesus’ divinity make? It makes all the difference in the world! Only a divine Savior could become the final sacrifice for our sins, and only a divine Savior can offer us the gift of eternal life. Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ. Then pray for your friend, that he will overcome his cynicism and open his heart to Christ.

Have you made a decision for Christ?