What the Bible says about Jesus Christ's Claim on His Creation
(From Forerunner Commentary)
By virtue of being divine and humankind's Creator, Jesus of Nazareth has His own individual claim on us. From beginning to end, we owe Him our lives, a fact that the Bible makes abundantly clear, so much that commentator Albert Barnes wondered why people even question it. That God sent Jesus Christ to speak to us of Him and of His purpose is a tremendous honor for mankind. Because One of such authority has spoken, what He said stakes a claim on our attention.
The things the Bible records Him doing in the presence sometimes of thousands are a telling witness. Yet, many treat those miraculous events like fairy tales. Such miracles are impossible for a mere man. Can any common man quiet the roaring winds or calm the waves of a raging sea or heal a dying child from the distance of at least twenty miles just by saying a few words? Yet, if His miracles define the distinction humans make between a created man and Creator God, then men have little or no concept of what constitutes a divine being. What really separates God from man? The separation appears in God's awe-inspiring powers combined with the purity of His use of those powers.
We must conclude that Jesus was indeed divine, God in the flesh. Every action He takes is for our well-being. Humanity, though, still has little or no respect for His words or deeds.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Ten): Christianity's Claims
Jesus made an atonement for sin that places a claim on human conduct. Hebrews 1:3 dogmatically informs us He atoned for sin by Himself. No animal was involved. No other man or angel did it. The bulk of educated humanity knows this truth but ignores what it means for the profitable use of a person's life. Most shrug off that His sacrifice opens the door to God's offer of salvation to those He calls. Though many may seem convicted of the fact of Jesus' sacrifice, they apparently have no faith that the authority of the Father guarantees the efficacy of His sacrifice.
Conclusion: Sin continues because most people fail to take Christ's sacrifice and its ramifications seriously.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Ten): Christianity's Claims