The Eternal Son

In the annals of history, music has often been more than mere entertainment—it has been a powerful force capable of shaping cultures, igniting revolutions, and stirring hearts. From the Beatles in the 1960s to ancient melodies sung by sailors and travelers, songs have carried messages that resonate deeply with people.

But long before John Lennon controversially claimed the Beatles were "bigger than Jesus," there was a 4th-century pastor named Arius who caused an uproar with his catchy tunes. Unlike Lennon, Arius didn't claim to be bigger than Jesus. His message was far more subtle and, in many ways, more dangerous.

Arius taught that Jesus was God and worthy of worship, but he also claimed that the Father was bigger than Jesus. His songs, if translated into English, might have sounded something like this:

"There was a time when He was not,
Before the ages had been wrought;
From nothingness the Son was born,
Not equal to the Father's form;
So praise the One, the only True,
Who made the Son, and all else too!"

At first glance, this might not seem like a big deal. Does it really matter if someone thinks God the Father is more important than God the Son? Isn't that an acceptable belief?

According to the early church fathers who gathered in 325 AD in the town of Nicaea (modern-day Iznik, Turkey), this was indeed a very big deal. Their conclusion, which would later be formalized in the Nicene Creed, was that Jesus—God the Son—is not a lesser deity to God the Father. Jesus is truly and fully God, which means there is nothing and no one bigger than Jesus.

This truth is beautifully expressed in the opening verses of the book of Hebrews:

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'? Or again, 'I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son'?"(Hebrews 1:1-5)

From this passage and the Nicene Creed, we can draw three massive truths that demonstrate why there is nothing and no one bigger than Jesus:

1. Jesus is Begotten

The concept of Jesus being "begotten" might sound archaic to our modern ears, but it's a crucial aspect of understanding His nature. To be begotten means to be fathered. When we say Jesus is the "only begotten Son of God," we're affirming His unique relationship with the Father.

2. Jesus is Eternal

While being begotten might imply a beginning, the Bible is clear that Jesus is eternal. The Apostle John writes, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Jesus Himself declared, "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). There was never a time when Jesus did not exist.

3. Jesus is God

The Nicene Creed affirms that Jesus is "God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God." He is not a lesser deity or a created being, but fully and truly God, equal with the Father in every way.

These truths challenge our human logic. How can someone be both begotten and eternal? How can the Son be equal to the Father? The mystery of the Trinity invites us to worship a God who is bigger than our understanding.

C.S. Lewis offered a helpful illustration: Imagine three books stacked on top of each other. Each book's position (top, middle, bottom) depends on the others. Now, imagine this as an eternal relationship—there was never a time when the books were in any other position. This gives us a glimpse into the eternal relationship between the Father and the Son.

The implications of these truths are profound. If Jesus is eternally begotten, eternal, and fully God, then He is worthy of our complete devotion and worship. There is no aspect of our lives that should be held back from Him, no area where His Lordship should be questioned.

Moreover, these truths give us confidence in our salvation. If Jesus were merely a created being, how could we be sure of His ability to save us? But as the eternal Son of God, He has the power to redeem us fully and finally.

As we reflect on these deep truths, we're reminded of an ancient Christian hymn discovered by archaeologists in Egypt. Written in the 3rd century, long before the Council of Nicaea, it proclaims:

"Let all be silent
Shining stars not sound
As we sing our hymn
To the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
The only giver of all good gifts
Amen"

This hymn, along with the writings of the New Testament and the affirmations of the early church, testify to the longstanding Christian belief in the full deity of Christ.

In a world that often seeks to diminish Jesus—reducing Him to a good teacher, a moral example, or one path among many—we are called to proclaim the truth: There is nothing and no one bigger than Jesus. He is the eternal Son, begotten of the Father, fully God, and worthy of all praise.

As we go about our daily lives, may this truth transform how we see Jesus and how we live for Him. May we join with believers throughout history in singing hymns of praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And may we rest secure in the knowledge that our salvation is in the hands of the eternal, divine Son of God.