“You have said this.” (Luke 23:3)

This is Jesus' reply, when he was asked by Pilate:
“Are you the leader of the Jews?” (Luke 23:3)
The different translations of Jesus' statement vary, from, "You have said it." (NLT, HCSB, KJV, YLT, WEB) and "You have said so." (NIV, RSV, ESV) to "It is as you say." (NKJV, NASB)

While we can certainly accept the translations, "You have said it" and "You have said so," we cannot accept, "It is as you say." Why?

The Greek is simply, σὺ λέγεις. The word σύ (sy) means "you" and the word λέγεις - from the root λέγω (legō) - means "say this" or "have said this."

So Jesus is making a very clear but short reply. He is himself not answering yes to Pilate's question - as put forth by NKJV and NASB. He is simply stating that Pilate said it.

This is also confirmed by the fact that from Jesus' answer, Pilate could not find grounds to charge Jesus. Pilate responded by saying to the Jews who were seeking to persecute Jesus:
“I find no guilt in this man.” (Luke 23:4)
Pilate could say this only because Jesus did not claim to be the leader of the Jews. Claiming such a position would make Jesus subject to being charged for usurping the role of the Romans empire - because the Romans were governing the Jews at that time.

So we know Jesus didn't answer to the affirmative to Pilate's question, because that would have resulted in him being charged for treason against the Romans - the current leaders of the Jews.

As to the DT's translation of "leader" instead of "king" as many sectarian translations have it: The Greek word βασιλεύς (basileus) literally means, "leader of the people" according to the lexicon - as well as "prince, commander, lord of the land, king."

Because we know that Pilate was questioning whether Jesus thought himself to be the leader of a particular people (Jews) - this would not necessarily translate to "king" because, after all, Jesus was arrested by Jews (the guards of the chief priest) and was being tried because he was a leader - a spiritual leader. He had a following of disciples and students, and large crowds were listening to his lectures. Describing such a position "king" would be ridiculous.

So we know that Jesus played a leadership role - but as a spiritual leader. But nowhere in the Gospels do we find that Jesus ever conducted himself as though he was any type of "king" - a governmental ruler.

The bottom line is that Jesus did not claim to be someone that he wasn't. He didn't claim to be a king, nor did he claim to be the Supreme Being.

If he did claim to be God - then certainly he would also need to claim himself to be a king. Because God is the king of everything. God is the ultimate king.

Now surely, if Jesus was God, he would have affirmed this to Pilate, right? At least he would have answered Pilate with a simple "yes" when asked if he was the leader - or even king - of the Jews.

Why would God need to play coy when it comes to his position?

Because Jesus is not God as many currently portray him to be. Jesus is not the Supreme Being.

Yet we find that many sectarian institutions are claiming that Jesus is God.

In the very Scriptures they claim to read, not only does Jesus never say he is God, but we find numerous verses that specifically contradict such a notion that Jesus is God.

The most obvious is the fact that Jesus humbly prayed to God multiple times:
So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. (Matt. 26:44)

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come...." (John 17:1)
These and other verses state clearly that Jesus often prayed to God.

This of course begs the question: If Jesus is God, who was he praying to? Was he playing games - and just pretending that God was someone else other than him?

Be serious. The Supreme Being doesn't have to play games. He is always God.

But some sectarian teachers will say there is this trilogy, and Jesus is not the "God the Father," but he is "God the Son." Then they will say there is also "God the Holy Spirit."

What does that mean? Does this mean that God is divided into three parts? That there is no individual who is God?

Why, then, would Jesus say:
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone." (Luke 18:19)
In this statement, Jesus is clearly saying that he is not God. He also clearly says "God alone." Jesus is not just distinguishing himself from God here. He is also stating that God is an individual entity: A Person.

Yes, God is the Supreme Person. He is an individual being. Yes, the Supreme Being can certainly expand Himself, and appear simultaneously in different forms. But He remains at all times, Himself. An individual.

One can only love an individual. One can only lovingly serve an individual.

Only if God were an individual could Jesus instruct his students to love God:
We cannot love a vague force or a white light or some other impersonal thing. We can only love a person.

This said, it is true that Jesus is God's representative. So as long as we accept that God is ultimately a person, we can also accept that Jesus was sent by God and as such, Jesus can be worshiped as God's representative.

How do we know that Jesus is God's representative? Because Jesus himself said it:
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me." (Matt. 10:40)
"And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form (John 5:37)
These statements - made by Jesus himself - repeatedly indicate that Jesus is God's representative. Having been sent by someone, and then doing what pleases that person is specific to being that person's representative.

Furthermore, these statements by Jesus also indicate that he enjoys a particular type of relationship with God: A loving service relationship. The fact that Jesus wants to do God's will and he wants to please Him indicates something very critical about Jesus:

Jesus isn't God - Jesus is in love with God.

This is critical. Not only to the point of distinguishing Jesus from God - it points to the fact that there is an intimate relationship between Jesus and God.

And it is this intimate relationship between Jesus and God that - as long as we accept it and meditate upon it - gives us access to regaining our own loving relationship with God.

This is the essence of Jesus' message. He wants to give us a glimpse into what love of God is. Jesus doesn't just tell us to love and serve God - he showed us.

As for those who want to go on and proclaim that Jesus is God - they can do this if they want, but they will be missing out on gaining access to the greatest relationship in the history of creation: Love of God. This is because by claiming that Jesus is God they will be denying the very existence of the Person that Jesus is in love with.

This is why Jesus became very upset with these people: