When someone has impeccable morals, solid ethics, and a principled track record, you take notice. These characteristics establish credibility. If that person has a reputation for being selfless, loving, and humble–intrigue progresses to support. And when unprecedented wisdom and faithfulness become evident characteristics of who they are–endorsement transitions into full advocacy, trust, and conversion.
These attributes were the hallmark of Christ’s ministry and combined with the miracles He performed, and ultimately His resurrection from the dead, they set Jesus apart from every other man in history. There can be no middle ground when it comes to Jesus Christ. In Matthew 12:30, He declared, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
In Romans 3:23, the apostle Paul states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus is the glory of God. He alone lived a sinless life because He was more than a man. We fall short of the life Jesus lived and the example He set. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all,” (Isaiah 53:6).
Why was Christ rejected by His people? The Jewish apprehension regarding Jesus stems from their inherent understanding of scriptures such as Psalm 49:7–9, where the Psalmist writes, “No Man can redeem the life of another or give God a ransom for him–the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough–that he should live on forever and not see decay.” They saw Christ’s humanity but failed to comprehend His divinity.
The Jews rejected Jesus, but God turned that rejection into the foundation of the New Covenant. “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes,” (Psalm 118:22–23). It is marvelous indeed!
JESUS WAS NO ORDINARY MAN
In 1 Corinthians 15:3, Paul writes, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,” and it becomes apparent that Jesus was no ordinary man. Over 350 Old Testament scriptures foretold of Christ. Jesus was radical compared to the status quo of Judaism. He claimed to be God and He said that He was the exclusive truth (John 14:6). He rose from the dead and verified His words with His blood.
Indignation towards Jesus has continued ever since He walked the roads of Judea. In John 15:18, Jesus states, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.” This hatred permeates the hearts of everyone who loves their sin more than their Creator–a rebellious inclination that has been programmed into humanity ever since Adam and Eve chose to disobey God.
Jesus’s insights regarding the pathway to God are incomparable. He conquered evil by experiencing it for Himself, and then brought forgiveness to mankind and drove His cross through evil’s heart. Evil men devised crucifixion and tried to silence Jesus with it. But He used that instrument to vindicate Himself and establish His testimony forever!
Christ in us is an ever-present availability that not only convicts us of our sin but also guides us down the narrow path that leads to righteousness (Galatians 5:16–17). Human instinct is materially-driven and is opposed to the directive of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, our Christian focus is on not only the accomplishments of the man we know as Jesus of Nazareth, but also on the personal power we have through Him as our counselor, intercessor, and advocate. He enables a Christ-centered life that is vibrant, active, and effectual.
Jesus was intentional in the things He taught, and He legitimized the scriptures by fulfilling every prophesy written about Him. Through Christ, the blind received sight, the lame walked, those with leprosy were cured, the deaf could hear, the dead were raised to life, and the Good News was preached to the poor. John 21:25 tells us, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
Paul presents “the word of God in its fullness–the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,” (Colossians 1:25–27).
IN HIS HUMANITY, JESUS WAS PROPHET, PRIEST, AND KING
In His humanity, Jesus was Prophet, Priest, and King. As Prophet, He reveals the truth about God (Deuteronomy 18:18–19, John 6:14, Hebrews 1:13). As Priest, He sacrificed Himself in our place and reconciled us to God (Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:1–10, 6:20; 8:1–2; 9:11–14; 10:12). As King, Christ rules over God’s people and conquers His enemies.
Jesus is the Prophet who is greater than Moses and all the Old Testament prophets, the Priest who is greater than Aaron and the entire Levitical priesthood, and the King who is greater than David and all the kings of Israel. As Messiah, Jesus Christ completes the relationship between the old and new covenants in terms of promise and fulfillment.
Jesus gave to God the obedience that we could not, or refused to give. And in doing so, He became our righteousness and offered it to God on our behalf. He offered His blood instead of our blood and was the perfect atonement that God required to redeem us. Not a counterfeit or temporary sacrifice but an encompassing sacrifice. He atoned for our rebellion Himself.
Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:6–8 that Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!”
Great leaders lead by example, and Jesus is the epitome of great leadership. He exuded compassion for the marginalized, wisdom for the inquisitive, strength for the weary, reverence for our Father in heaven, and courage to remain faithful, even if it meant His own death. And even in death, He paved the way through it to eternal life! No one else even comes close to exemplifying that kind of leadership and no one ever will. Even His enemies were captivated by Him. Pilate was perplexed and the temple guards conceded, “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” (John 7:46).
Christ reorients all of life. What we believe about Him changes how we view our world, our friends, our family, ourselves, and ultimately God. What we believe about Jesus defines our actions, our mindset and our wellbeing. What Jesus said about Himself alters any other notions we may have regarding truth and His identity. And He punctuated His proclamations with His resurrection from the dead.
The Bible illustrates that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together deconstruct our preconceptions about God and present infinite perfection, gentleness, love and truth. To know about Jesus changes nothing in our lives. Truly knowing Him leaves nothing unchanged. Knowing the truth sets us free (John 8:32). To know Jesus is to know truth.
Our perception of humanity is distorted, and our definition is biased because of our brokenness. We say, “to err is human,” and believe that society reflects the essence of mankind. Yet only Jesus exemplified true humanity without error and without sin. He showed us what humanity was created to be.
Jesus never wrote a book, or endeavored to enhance His credibility. He chose to associate with the lowest of society: the poor, the sick, and the “sinners.” He captivated His audiences, created controversy with the Pharisees, and changed the world, becoming the most written-about person in history. You cannot sit on the fence regarding Jesus. Either you accept Him and follow Him, or you reject Him and His teachings.
Believers become children of God through faith in Christ, as John 1:12–13 discloses. “Yet to all that did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
Paul teaches in Romans 8:16–17, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” Through faith we are transformed and become characteristically Christ.
Leave a Reply