Lie #12: Jesus was just a good man.
Was Jesus a legend, a liar, a lunatic or Lord? Since historians already know beyond doubt the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth and have confirmed the writings of the New Testament to be about 40-65A.D. (except the book of Revelation written around 96A.D.) There was no time for a false legend to develop since real contemporary people could validate in that time frame who he was and what he said as reported in the four Gospel writings. Now if he was a liar then how could he communicate so many valuable pieces of helpful information and motivate people to living nobler lives? If he was a lunatic how could he clearly refute the scholars from the scribes and Pharisees, stand before crowds and teach with authority, and use common events to give practical and spiritual instruction using parables? And if he is neither legend, liar or lunatic - well then he is all he claims to be — God's Son (Matthew 14:33; 16:16; 27:54; Luke 1:35), Lord and Master (John 13:13-14), seeker (Luke 19:10) and savior (Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31; 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 3:3-7; 1 John 4:14) of the lost, and the one who would give his life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:5-7). So where are you in relation to Jesus, the Christ, the one who has more names than any other, whose name is above all names (Philippians 2:9)? Jesus is either your Lord and Savior, or He's not.
Here are some helpful places to search and learn:
Messianic Prophecies | Deity of Christ | Evidence for Jesus Christ | Unique claims of Jesus Christ | Effects of Christ's power | Documents forming the New Testament | Resurrection of Jesus Christ | Evidence for God and the Bible | 100 Scriptural Proofs That Jesus Christ Will Save All Mankind by Thomas Whittemore, 1840
Jesus made 8 categorically profound claims. • View these 8 claims:
- Christ claimed to live a sinless life (John 8:28-29, 46-47)
- Jesus Christ claimed to be the ONLY way to God (John 14:6; Matthew 11:27)
- Christ claimed to have shared the glory of God in Heaven (John 17:5)
- Jesus Christ claimed to be able to forgive sins (Luke 5:20-21; 7:48-49)
- Christ claimed to be a Heavenly king (Luke 22:69; 23:1-3; John 18:36-37)
- Christ claimed to be able to give everlasting life (John 6:40, 47; 10:28-30; 11:25)
- Jesus claimed that he would die and come back to life (John 10:17; 12:32-33; 16:16; Luke 18:31-33)
- Christ claimed that he would return again to judge the world (Matthew 24:27-30; 25:31-32; Mark 14:61-62 )
• All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:27-29
• When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 16:13-17
• While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:5
• I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. John 5:43
• I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51
• Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12
• I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 8:24
Everyone needs God's forgiveness.
"For in Your sight no one living is righteous." (Psalm 143:2)
God has provided the means for us to be reconciled to Himself.
"Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them." (Psalm 65:3)
The Messiah is God's provision for our forgiveness.
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisment for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)