The Deity of Christ — J.C. Ryle

“My Father has given me authority over everything. No one really knows the Son except the Father, and no one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” – Luke 10:22

“These are the words of one who was very God of very God, and no mere man. We read of no patriarch, or prophet, or apostle, or saint, of any age, who ever used words like these. They reveal to our wondering eyes a little of the mighty majesty of our Lord’s nature and person. They show Him to us, as the Head over all things, and King of kings–’all things are delivered to me of my Father.’ They show Him as one distinct from the Father, and yet entirely one with Him, and knowing Him in an unspeakable manner. ‘No man knows who the Son is but the Father–and who the Father is but the Son.’ They show Him, not least, as the Mighty Revealer of the Father to the sons of men, as the God who pardons iniquity, and loves sinners for His Son’s sake–’no one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

Let us repose our souls confidently on our Lord Jesus Christ. He is one who is ‘mighty to save.’ Many and weighty as our sins are, Christ can bear them all. Difficult as is the work of our salvation, Christ is able to accomplish it. If Christ was not God as well as man we might indeed despair. But with such a Savior as this we may begin boldly, and press on hopefully, and await death and judgment without fear. Our help is laid on one that is mighty. (Psalm 89:19.) Christ over all, God blessed forever, will not fail any one that trusts in Him.”

- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
taken from: Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. Luke, Volume 1.